Spain’s Iniesta named Euro 2012’s best player

Wednesday, 4 July 2012 01:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

KIEV, July 2 (Reuters) :Andres Iniesta, who helped Spain to a second successive European Championship triumph in Poland and Ukraine, was named the best player at the tournament by UEFA on Monday.

Iniesta played a central role for Spain in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Italy as they became the first country to retain the title.

Andy Roxburgh, the head of UEFA’s technical group, told reporters: “Andrea Pirlo was magnificent for Italy, Xavi won it last time and could have won it Spain’s Andres Iniesta (R) challenges Italy’s Andrea Barzagli during their Euro 2012 final soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev REUTERS again. Xabi Alonso was magnificent but Iniesta sends a message about creative and incisive football and was superb throughout.”

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

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

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Italy), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Zlatan Ibrahimovoic (Sweden), David Silva (Spain)