The success of the Spanish national team to win Euro 2008 cannot be separated from one vital figure in midfield, Xavi Hernandez.
Xavi started his career at international level with Spain in 2000. He then participated in defending La Furia Roja at the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.
In the first two international tournaments he was just a squad player. However, since his third tournament he began to be trusted to be the backbone of Spain.
Euro 2008 has also become his fourth major tournament on the international stage. Fifth, if his participation in the 2000 Olympics is counted.
Xavi is an important pillar of Spain thanks to his extraordinary vision of the game, intelligence, ball control, off-the-ball movement and his ability to pass, both short and long.
This is complete capital to be able to control the game. From here he later earned the nickname The Puppet Master, aka the Puppet Controller.
Why Xavi is Behind the Success of Spain
Spain Trip at Euro 2008
The 2008 edition of the Euro was held in two countries, Austria and Switzerland. In the group phase, Spain is included in Group D. The team coached by Luis Aragones joins Russia, Sweden and Greece.
Spain is too powerful for its opponents. They wiped out the three matches in their past and collected nine points. La Furia Roja scored eight goals and conceded only three times.
In the quarter-finals, Spain met tough opponents, Italy. But they were able to win thanks to penalties.
In the semifinals, Spain met the opponents on paper below them, namely Russia. They dominated the match and won easily with a score of 3-0. Xavi for the first time joined the list of names on the scoreboard.
"It was a very deserved [victory]. If they continue to touch the ball, the opponents will be tired and they know they will score goals," said the Russian coach at the time, Guus Hiddink, regarding the ball monopoly that Xavi et al had in the match.
Death With Thousands of Bait
In the final, Spain met a strong team, Germany. The Panzer team is indeed great, but they lost class to La Furia Roja in this match.
Spain almost scored twice if it weren't blocked by the goalposts. Germany also deserves to thank Jens Lehmann who was forced to work several times to save his net.
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The Spanish game controller, Xavi, made sure he could still control the game with his quick short passes. Germany is indeed superior in ball possession, around 52 percent to 48 percent.
But the duel was finally won by Spain with a score of 1-0. La Furia Roja's goal was scored by Fernando Torres. The German media also called this defeat a "death by a thousand passes".
Xavi Euro 2008 Player of the Year
Fernando Torres' goal in the match was helped by whose assist if not Xavi. It was he who provided the Liverpool striker's breakthrough bait to break through the opponent's defensive barricade and then beat Jens Lehmann.
This victory was also very historic for the Spanish national team. This is the first time they have won the title at the international level since 1964 ago.
After this tournament ended, Xavi was named the best player. With his ability to control the ball, read the game and pass, he is considered to be the game controller for the Spanish team.
"We chose him because we thought he symbolized the Spanish style of play. He was very influential in all of the ball possession, passing, the kind of piercing games that Spain plays," explained UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh.
The Peak of Xavi's Glory and Career Dusk
After Euro 2008, Xavi continued to be an important pillar of the Spanish midfield. He then also successfully led La Furia Roja to win the 2010 World Cup.
His name was also selected to enter the Best XI of the tournament. Two years later, at the Euro 2012 stage, Xavi led Spain to successfully defend the title.
In the final, he helped Spain win 4-0 over Italy. He helped provide assists in the match. Xavi also became the first player to provide assists in two Euro finals.
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Xavi also participated in the 2014 World Cup tournament. However, Spain at that time was eliminated in the group phase.
After that, Xavi also left the Spanish national team. In 2015, he also left Barcelona to move to the Al Sadd club and play at the Qatari club before finally retiring in 2019.
After hanging up his boots he has been a coach to this day.