Xabi Alonso: 'We ought to feel more euphoric'

Xabi Alonso : Always so comfortable in possession and the Real Madrid star swept the ball around with aplomb. Alonso has become a fulcrum of the Spanish midfield and helped to ensure that his side remained in control throughout. 8 (Reuters)

For Xabi Alonso there was a distinctly different feeling amongst the Spanish squad after they won the European Championship compared to the "euphoria" of their triumph four years ago.

Spain regained their European crown thanks to a comprehensive 4-0 win over Italy and became the first side to win three successive major international tournaments in the process.

But Alonso said there was a much calmer reaction than when they ended a run of 44 years without a trophy in 2008.

He told AS: "The sensation and euphoria is different to the last European Championship. Everything is more moderate.

"We have celebrated with our families and we are very calm. Four years ago there was more euphoria.

"We ought to feel more euphoric but that's the way things are and we can't force them. The team has a lot of humility.

"We were fighting for a common goal. We didn't want to be an example to anybody, we wanted to return to the people and transmit happiness.

"If the fans enjoyed themselves then we have done the double. To go three out of three is incredible. The first time you achieve it, it is fantastic and you don't know if it will last. This has lasted.

"This is to try and make the people happy and to the people that are suffering, like those in Valencia (where forest fires have forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes), we have to help them and dedicate this triumph to them."

PA