Aragones lauds Torres

Spain manager heaps praise on Euro 2008 final goalscorer

By James Dall   Last updated: 30th June 2008

Fernando Torres Euro 2008 Spain trophy

Torres: Spain hero

Torres Total Hat-Tricks 08/09

None: 9/4

Exactly 1: 15/8

Exactly 2: 5/2

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Spain manager Luis Aragones has paid tribute to Euro 2008 final goalscorer Fernando Torres.

Torres struck the only goal of Sunday's showpiece against Germany as Spain ran out deserved winners at the Ernst-Happel Stadion.

And Aragones has hailed the talent of Torres, whose first-class finish ended Spain's 44-year wait for international glory.

"Fernando is a great player for Liverpool and for our team and he can go anywhere because he has really extraordinary speed and he knows how to dribble," Aragones said.

Best in the world

"We always tell him he's a player who is so young that he can learn to do everything and there is no doubt he can be one of the best players in the world."

Aragones went on to praise the ethos of his squad after they stood by their pass-and-move football throughout the tournament.

"I think people will look up to this Spain and how we play," the 69-year-old said.

Aragones is set to step down as manager of Spain, as announced prior to Euro 2008, and he has urged the new boss, expected to be Vicente Del Bosque, to continue to allow the players to express themselves.

Successor

"I said if we manage this group well, we will be champions. They are so good. I hope Spain will go on in this way," Aragones continued.

"The only thing I have to say to the manager who comes after me is to please treat them (the players) well and let them do their job.

"I have the mental strength to do it, and others may not have it."