We've won the impossible… Spanish media laud La Roja after third consecutive title

|

UPDATED:

08:30 GMT, 2 July 2012

There has been an understandably euphoric reaction from the Spanish media after the national side became the first side to win three major international tournaments in a row on Sunday night.

Spain retained their European Championship crown with a resounding 4-0 win over Italy in the final.

'Champions of Europe,' read the headline in El Pais. 'After a memorable game with the best of their style, La Roja crushed Italy and completed the triple crown of European Championship-World Cup-European Championship.

We've done it again: Spain celebrate their third title in as many attempts after beating Italy in Kiev

'With goals from (David) Silva, Jordi Alba, (Fernando) Torres and (Juan) Mata, Spain completed the biggest ever victory in a European Championship final.'

El Mundo similarly ran with: 'Legendary Champions.' Spain, they said: 'had changed football with their short passing style and domination of the ball in a style that everyone now wants to copy.'

'Spain wins the impossible,' wrote La Vanguardia. 'La Roja completed the most successful cycle in the history of international football with its third title in six years.'

And there was special praise from the Catalan daily for one of their own, Xavi, who they said: 'showed a magisterial direction of his teammates with two assists.'

Madrid sports daily Marca thanked the players from bringing joy to the country at a time of otherwise economic gloom with their headline of 'Thank You, Thank You, Thank You'.

Both AS.com and El Mundo Deportivo both hailed La Furia Roja as 'Triple-champions'.

Barcelona based Sport declared Vicente del Bosque's men as 'Kings of football and kings of Europe', adding: 'The Spanish national team has its place in history and it was ruthless.

'With less suffering than expected, Del Bosque's men achieved a second consecutive European Championship.'