LOST AGAINST THE BEST, SAY ITALY

Kiev: Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon spoke of his disappointment at having missed out on the Euro 2012 title but said he could only congratulate winners Spain.

“For many of our squad it was their first final so that’s why it’s a huge disappointment,” he said.

“But it’s also true that in such an important match when there’s the substantial difference that you saw, all you can do is clap your hands and applaud the others.”

Buffon said he could only think of one other occasion when he had played in a side so totally dominated — a 3-0 Confederations Cup group stage defeat to Brazil in 2009.

“I had a great view of the red waves from the first minute to the last,” said the goalkeeper of Spain’s performance.

“Maybe in the Confederations Cup against Brazil (it was similar), we lost 3-0 and were never in the game, but this is a little different because it was a final.” Italy had drawn 1-1 with Spain in their opening group game of the tournament in a match that could have gone either way.

“They (Spain) are probably better than us and everyone else but they also had difficulties in the tournament.

De Rossi also sang praise of the Spaniards. “We were a bit cooked for the final and when you’re against the best team in the world you can’t afford to not be 100 per cent physically because it goes like this. You’re a spectator, less even.”

— AFP