Sport : Football

Top award for Iniesta

2nd July 2012, 02:25pm

Bet with SkyBet  World Cup. Click here to bet.

Andres Iniesta: Player of the tournament

Andres Iniesta: Player of the tournament

Andres Iniesta has been named the player of the tournament at Euro 2012 after inspiring Spain to defend their title in Poland and Ukraine.

The Barcelona midfielder played a starring role in Spain's success with consistent performances throughout the competition.

He produced another scintillating display in Sunday's final as Vicente del Bosque's men beat Italy 4-0 to be crowned European champions once again.

Italy's Andrea Pirlo had been regarded as the favourite to take the player prize before the Kiev showpiece but Iniesta has been given the nod by a technical committee made up of 11 people.

UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh said: "Picking Iniesta as the best player of Euro 2012 sends a message about creativity, incisive football and humility."

Iniesta stressed before the final that he was more concerned with Spanish success than individual accolades, but has received praise from team-mate Cesc Fabregas.

"He's a source of immense confidence for us," Fabregas said. "During matches you can see him taking on more and more responsibility.

"He's creative, he runs with the ball, he's got a brilliant final pass and with each passing year he's become more of a goalscorer as well as a provider."

Iniesta, who also scored the winning goal against Holland in the 2010 World Cup final, is one of 10 Spaniards to figure in the 23-man squad of the tournament.

Steven Gerrard is the only England player to make the list after leading the Three Lions to the quarter-finals, where they lost to Italy on penalties.

Roxburgh added: "Gerrard played really, really well and showed great leadership qualities.

"Pirlo was magnificent, Xavi could easily have won again (as at Euro 2008) and Xabi Alonso was excellent."

UEFA Team of Euro 2012 - 23-man squad

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Defenders: Gerard Pique (Spain), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Pepe (Portugal), Jordi Alba (Spain)

Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Italy), Steven Gerrard (England). Xavi (Spain), Andres Iniesta (Spain). Sami Khedira (Germany), Sergio Busquets (Spain), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Xabi Alonso (Spain), David Silva (Spain), Cesc Fabregas (Spain)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Mario Balotelli (Italy), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)

Bet with SkyBet  World Cup. Click here to bet.

Football Videos

    Nasri to stay at City

    Nasri to stay at City

    21-May-2013

    Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has stated that he is NOT leaving the club, despite links with a move to PSG.

    Cahill would welcome Jose return

    Cahill would welcome Jose return

    21-May-2013

    Gary Cahill says he would welcome the return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea if a deal was possible.

    Forrest faces race for Cup fitness

    Forrest faces race for Cup fitness

    21-May-2013

    James Forrest says he is hoping he'll be fit in time to face Hibernian in the Scottish Cup Final on Sunday.

    United's driving force

    United's driving force

    21-May-2013

    Manchester United midfielder and F1 fan Michael Carrick heads to Red Bull ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.

    Sky Bet

      • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

    Facebook Favourites