Xavi - The difference between Under-Achieving and Champion Spain

Euro 2008 ended with a quiet finale with Spain beating the Germans 1-0. The two best teams of Europe met in a jam-packed stadium on a lovely evening filled with happiness and an air of friendliness. The same attitudes were carried to the pitch and it was one of the cleanest finals ever played.

The tournament was one of the cleanest ones played with
no real riots off the field and fair play on the field. The credit goes to the hosts as well as to the UEFA body for being able to bring in the discipline without taking away the charm of the game.

There were a few gains for the football world with the emerging of the Man of the Tournament, Xavi Hernandez. Not the household name of most fans around the world but he definitely got his recognition during Euro 2008. Scored only once in 5 games but that is not the criteria. His presence in midfield of the Spanish attack or defense was really the difference between a under-achieved Spanish team of the recent past and the Euro Cup winners of 2008.



He definitely represents the Spanish style of play with great skill in the mid-field and ball movement. That is how the Spanish team plays. If Italians are known for their defense. Spanish teams have always been known for their ball movement and penetration to pin-point passes from the mid-field. Xavi is the holder of managing the mid-field for the Spanish team for now. It is a difficult task as now Spain finally has two big strikers in Torres & Villa who will need the balls in front to get goals. Not to forget, Fabregas, who is as much a candidate for the front line. Spain finally has found a future in their finishers and need a player like Xavi to develop even further and become something like Zidane was for France. If he is able to mold into that role, Spain could well be the next World Champions.