Casillas lays ghosts to rest

Keeper reflects on long overdue success

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 30th June 2008

Casillas lays ghosts to rest

Casillas: Emotional

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Iker Casillas is basking in the glory of international triumph, 44 years after Spain last lifted a trophy.

The Spanish goalkeeper captained his country to Euro 2008 glory this summer, putting in a commanding performance during the 1-0 victory over Germany in the final.

It was a tournament which saw Luis Aragones' side banish the demons of their past in spectacular fashion.

Their penalty shoot-out success over Italy in the quarter-finals was the first time they had progressed beyond the last eight in five attempts, while the victory also ended the curse which had seen them taste spot-kick heartache on three previous occasions on 22nd June.

Jinx

A comfortable 3-0 victory over Russia in the semi-finals saw them book a place at their first final since 1984, before Fernando Torres' solitary strike gave them a deserved victory in Sunday's Vienna showpiece.

"We've broken a lot of hoodoos - above all the quarter-final jinx," said Real Madrid shot-stopper Casillas.

"It's not comparable to a European Cup, this is much more. This is all of Spain, all of the country.

"Real Madrid fans, Barcelona, Valencia, everyone. It's the best."

Reward

At 69 years old Spain boss Luis Aragones became the oldest coach to lead his side to European Championship glory as his team lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy.

However, he had come under considerable pressure following a 3-2 defeat to Northern Ireland in qualifying and Casillas has praised the resilience shown by his manager during their pursuit of an international triumph.

"Luis Aragones had to suffer a lot but at the end he's got the reward," he said of the departing coach.

"What he had to suffer was incredible.

"He was very emotional, I'd like him to stay on but I don't think he will."