Xavi tells German rivals: You can't stop us making history

Jun 29 2008 By Euan Mclean

SUPER-CONFIDENT Spain star Xavi has taunted Germany ahead of today's Euro 2008 final with the message: "You can't stop us making history."

The Barcelona playmaker reckons no team can live with the Spaniards at their swashbuckling best. And he vowed last night to end decades of disappointment in the country's first major final for 24 years.

Confidence in the Spanish camp is sky high after their thrilling 3-0 semi-final win over Russia - where influential Xavi set the wheels in motion by scoring the opener. Now the Barca ace insists Luis Aragones' men are ready to take their final step towards greatness.

He said: "We have another chance to make history and when we play one-touch football no one can stop us."

It's 44 years since the Spanish last tasted European Championship success when they won the 1964 tournament in Madrid.

The trophy famine that followed has seen them deservedly branded the biggest underachievers on the international stage.

Tonight brings their big chance to banish the years of hurt. But if the sense of history is weighing on the shoulders they aren't showing it.

The belief coursing through this Spanish side seems undented by the loss of top scorer David Villa who is out of the final after injuring a leg muscle during the semi-final.

And when you consider the dazzling array of talent at their disposal it's little surprise they feel undaunted by the prospect of Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas stepping in to fill the gap.

So rather than seeing Villa's loss as a body blow Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says the setback has given Spain extra motivation to go on and win the tournament.

Alonso said: "It is a pity Villa can't play because he has been a crucial player with his goals. Now I hope we lift the cup for him.

"We want to play well and deserve the title but in a final there's no clear favourite - anything can happen.

Germany are a solid team with great experience."

On the strength of statistics the Spanish have every right to ooze confidence.

They outgun Joachim Low's men with 104 shots on goal in their five games compared to Germany's 58. And Spain can also keep it tight at the back as Iker Casillas has only had to make nine saves at the finals. The Spaniards have won their last 11 games and are unbeaten in 21. It's an amazing run and skipper Carles Puyol has no hesitation in laying the credit at the feet of boss Aragones.

Puyol said: "Aragones has taught us to believe it is possible. He was the first to say that if we played as a team with a clear style we could win."

It's lucky then that the 69-year-old manager is not a man of his word.

Two years ago at the World Cup in Germany he announced he would step down if his team failed to progress past the quarter-finals.

But when they lost to France in the last eight he did not quit. Instead Aragones saw enough potential in the side to stick with it.

Aragones has already secured his place in the record books as the triumph over Russia made him Spain'smost successful coach. His tally of 37 wins has surpassed the marker Javier Clemente put down in the 1990s.

Yet there is no doubt Aragones will walk away regardless of the result tonight, claiming Turkish club Fenerbahce have agreed to have him lead them next season.

And when the Spanish boss goes he wants it to be with the satisfaction of having rid his country of the monkey on their backs.

Aragones said: "There's no turning back, I'm leaving. And we will win because we are better.

Since the start of this tournament we've entered the field with the attitude that we're going to win.

"I have told my players no-one remembers the runners-up. We respect Germany but I will only be happy and be able to show off if we win.

"You can have the best players in the world but if there is not a good atmosphere in the team it's impossible to win.

"I feel happy to have a group that has believed in me and followed my tactics and style.

"We took a lot of criticism after Euro 2004 but now everything seems to be on course.

"I am delighted to have reached this point. Now the time has come for us to finish the job."

German skipper Michael Ballack is a doubt for the final with a calf injury but Aragones doesn't think his absence would make Spain favourites.

He said: "Ballack is a great player but whoever replaces him will run more. My worry is the 11 German players not just a specific one."

Midfielder Marcos Senna has revealed Aragones will have his squad watching videos of every player in the German line-up. But the Villarreal star insists his team-mates will be more than ready for anything that is thrown at them - because they have been preparing themselves for this moment since the last World Cup.

Senna said: "Aragones shows us videos of all the opposing players. It gives us a good idea about who we will be facing.

"We have to be aware of their counter-attacks as Germany can be fast and deadly. Both teams will stick to doing what they know in the final.

"This is the moment we have trained towards and worked so hard for. So it is exciting to be this close now. We all know it is a big chance to put our name in history.

"The big difference between now and two years ago is that the Spanish players are more united and more experienced."

Keeper Casillas is also confident of victory but admits his success at club level with Real Madrid won't help him cope with the pressure tonight.

He said: "Being here brings a bigger sense of responsibility and nervousness. You don't only have a responsibility to yourself and team-mates but to 46 million people."