Thiago and Morata get that winning feeling
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
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Thiago Alcántara thanked his team-mates for "winning us one more title for Spain" after Tuesday's victory over Italy, with Álvaro Morata also getting used to being the best.
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Captain Thiago Alcántara described Spain's UEFA European Under-21 Championship triumph as "the best feeling possible". The FC Barcelona midfielder's hat-trick earned Julen Lopetegui's side a 4-2 victory against Italy, but Thiago was keen to thank his team-mates, not least Álvaro Morata. For his part, the adidas Golden Boot winner was pleased Tuesday's game at Teddy Stadium was worthy of such a high-profile occasion.
Thiago Alcántara, Spain captain
The best feeling possible in a match and in a football tournament is to win the title. To have been able to enjoy the great tournament this team have produced, I just want to thank all my team-mates for winning us one more trophy for Spain.
I think it was really great, to score goals and above all to help the team. We were good right across the pitch and my team-mates really helped me get those goals. Morata is an exceptional player and he's really given us a lot in this tournament. He helped us win the games that won us our group and get to the final too – he's a great No9.
The goal in the last final [against Switzerland in 2011] was completely different from this one, but it's always nice to score in a final.
Álvaro Morata, Spain forward
We're delighted to be honest – it's a great feeling. We had to take this one last step and now we're European champions. It's a European final and the game started at a really high tempo – the two goals came really quickly. It's a final and it was played at a level to match.
Yes, the truth is [Thiago] looked like the No9 out there. I couldn't believe the way he jumped like that [for the opening goal]. We've managed to win and give something to our [injured] team-mate Sergio Canales. We wish he'd been able to be here with us but that's football and I'm sure he'll have other opportunities to lift this trophy.
To be honest, with the Spanish U17s I was in the team beaten in the semi-finals of the World Cup, but everything else, every one I've played, we've won. Let's see if we can keep that going.
