Spanish Coach Luis Aragones and captain Iker Casillas believe that their penalty shoot-out win over Italy was the key to their Euro 2008 triumph.
After 44 years without a major title, Spain clinched the European Championship with last night’s 1-0 win over Germany in Vienna.
But things could have been so different had Italy held their nerve from the penalty spot in the quarter-finals.
“When you play like we have during this tournament, there isn’t a side that can stand up to us,” triumphant tactician Aragones asserted.
“Italy managed to hold us and they were only seen off from the penalty spot – that was a crucial win.”
Casillas, who was Spain’s hero against the Azzurri with superb saves to deny Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale, also had no doubt that beating the world champions was a huge step towards the silverware.
“The match against Italy was the toughest and above all the most emotional,” the Real Madrid shot-stopper said.
Italy’s tournament may have ended in disappointment, but they were the only side not to concede to the Spaniards.
