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Spain's David Villa: I saw grown men crying like babies after World Cup triumph in 2010
One year after the World Cup final, some of the heroes of the victorious Spanish side have spoken about their experiences in South Africa
Jul 11, 2011 12:32:00 PM
By Enis Koylu
A year to the day following Spain's 1-0 extra-time win over Netherlands in the World Cup final, Barcelona striker David Villa spoke to Marca about the emotional scenes after the final whistle.
"I saw grown men crying like babies," Villa began. "In the dressing room we all burst into tears. I was shocked to see tears from Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta - players who have won everything in football - crying. I cried like a child."
Out of the five goals he netted in the tournament, Villa picked his quarter-final effort against Paraguay, a poacher's effort that went in off the post, as his favourite strike of the competition.
"That goal meant a lot. It was the ticket to the semi-finals, ending the curse. It came with the game in a crazy period where the ball hit the post three times."
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, who endured a disappointing World Cup campaign blighted by a lack of fitness, was pleased to lift the trophy, but could not hide his frustration at his personal performance in the tournament.
"It was a race against time. When we were in Madrid it seemed that everything was perfect, then we came to South Africa, and it wasn't OK. It wasn't what I imagined from a World Cup, ending it in injury was a disappointment. It was the happiest ending possible in the collective, but in terms of personal history it was something else."
Barcelona attacker Pedro then spoke of his pride over his selection in the semi-finals - a narrow 1-0 victory over Germany.
"I really didn't know I was going to play. But when the coach said my name was in the line-up, it was a truly huge moment for me."
Spain currently have a 100 per cent record in their Euro 2012 qualifying group.
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £14.00 | Draw £40.00 | Serbia £75.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £13.60 | Draw £40.00 | Serbia £70.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £13.64 | Draw £45.00 | Serbia £80.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £14.00 | Draw £45.00 | Serbia £80.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £14.20 | Draw £39.00 | Serbia £70.00 |
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"I saw grown men crying like babies," Villa began. "In the dressing room we all burst into tears. I was shocked to see tears from Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta - players who have won everything in football - crying. I cried like a child."
Out of the five goals he netted in the tournament, Villa picked his quarter-final effort against Paraguay, a poacher's effort that went in off the post, as his favourite strike of the competition.
"That goal meant a lot. It was the ticket to the semi-finals, ending the curse. It came with the game in a crazy period where the ball hit the post three times."
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, who endured a disappointing World Cup campaign blighted by a lack of fitness, was pleased to lift the trophy, but could not hide his frustration at his personal performance in the tournament.
"It was a race against time. When we were in Madrid it seemed that everything was perfect, then we came to South Africa, and it wasn't OK. It wasn't what I imagined from a World Cup, ending it in injury was a disappointment. It was the happiest ending possible in the collective, but in terms of personal history it was something else."
Barcelona attacker Pedro then spoke of his pride over his selection in the semi-finals - a narrow 1-0 victory over Germany.
"I really didn't know I was going to play. But when the coach said my name was in the line-up, it was a truly huge moment for me."
Spain currently have a 100 per cent record in their Euro 2012 qualifying group.
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