Spain

Xavi: Euro 2008 Success Won Us Respect From The Media

He says the national side is more confident as a result of the Euro success.

Nov 17, 2009 5:12:57 PM

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Barcelona playmaker Xavi has revealed how winning the European Championships with Spain last year has changed the perception of the players in the media and made them more confident on the pitch.

La Furia Roja's success at Euro 2008 ended a 44-year wait for success and Xavi says he has noticed "an incredible difference" as a player.

"I'm the same, but the media has changed, not only with me but with all the Spanish players. Now people look at us with more respect, more admiration for the fact we won. Winning makes an incredible difference to a player," he said during a press conference.

"Yes it's true that now we play with less of a complex, more confident, with the ability to know we can compete with any team. Years ago we had a very clear philosophy within the national team.

"We knew our pattern of play and from there we tried to compete with any team. We have a very good generation that achieved success. At last Spain changed the slightly negative history and now are the European champions."

The 29-year-old is looking forward to Wednesday night's friendly against Austria in the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna, where they captured the European title with a 1-0 win over Germany.

"To be back here is always a wonderful memory, unforgettable for our careers, for the history of the Spanish national side. The memories are very good," he noted.

Paul Madden, Goal.com

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