The Spanish giants sent 11
players to the Euros - the second
highest of any club behind only
Bayern Munich's 12 - with 10 of
them making it all the way to the
semi-finals, and half of that
number came home with the
winner's medal. Los Blancos
provided five of Spain's 23-man
squad and all but one - Raul
Albiol - were regular starters as
well as key players in their title-
winning run. Iker Casillas, Alvaro
Arbeloa and Sergio Ramos
played every single minute in
Poland and Ukraine, including an
additional 30 in extra time
against Portugal in the last four,
while Xabi Alonso played 25
minutes less than the trio after
being substituted against
Republic of Ireland in the group
phase.
While Xavi starred in the final,
Andres Iniesta walked away with
the Euro 2012 Player of the
Tournament award, Fernando
Torres with the Golden Boot and
Jordi Alba as many observer's
pick for revelation of the
championship, the focus post-
tournament has quickly shifted
to their captain marvel Casillas.
The Madrid goalkeeper extended
his extraordinary clean-sheet
record for Spain in knockout
matches in major competitions,
while becoming the first
footballer to win 100
international matches, and has
now hoisted three consecutive
trophies for his country as
skipper. This has led to sections
of the press, pundits and legends
of the game calling for 'San Iker'
to be given the 2012 Fifa Ballon
d'Or ahead of pre-Euro 2012
favourites Cristiano Ronaldo and
Lionel Messi. A stellar first half to
the 2012-13 La Liga campaign
will strengthen his case further.
Casillas' exploits with Spain
would not be possible without
the help of club-mates Arbeloa
and Sergio Ramos. The former
was overshadowed by Alba on
the opposite flank, but the ex-
Liverpool man has never been
renowned for his marauding
runs. Often solid but rarely
spectacular, that's the main
quality he brings to club and
country, providing the necessary
balance to two attacking-minded
teams. Club coach Jose Mourinho
will be encouraged by his
disciplined defensive displays.
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