Source: Team_Talk
Fabregas hails reign of Spain
Cesc Fabregas hailed a historic moment for Spain after he helped LA Roja to their first World Cup triumph with a 1-0 victory over Holland.[LNB] The Arsenal midfielder created the extra-time goal for Andres Iniesta as Spain beat Holland 1-0 in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.[LNB]Fabregas has had to play a substitutes' role all tournament - and in the final - but he said the victory made up for all the frustration.[LNB]He said: "This is an historic moment for Spain and it may never be repeated - and I dedicate this to my whole family.[LNB]"I was a bit down because I had not played as much as I had wanted but in the end it has all been worth it.[LNB]"The fans have fantastic, the rock on which we base everything and I hope in two years' time we will have more joy at the Euros."[LNB]The match saw 14 yellow cards - two leading to one red card for Everton's John Heitinga - handed out by English referee Howard Webb. That is easily a record for a final and Iniesta admitted it the Dutch adopted a rugged approach.[LNB]Iniesta said: "I had the opportunity to score that goal which was so important for my team, and it's incredible.[LNB]"I've made a small contribution in a very tough game, a very rough game - there were all sorts of things happening on the pitch.[LNB]"Spain deserved to win this World Cup. It's something we have to remember and enjoy, and should feel very proud of everyone in this squad.[LNB]"The manner in which it happened, we gave everything," Iniesta said. "To win the World Cup there are no words to describe it.[LNB]After he scored Iniesta took off his shirt to reveal a T-shirt paying tribute to Dani Jarque, the Espanyol player who died after a heart attack in August.[LNB]The T-shirt said "Dani Jarque is always with us" and Iniesta explained: "I wanted to carry Dani Jarque with me and with my other team-mates.[LNB]"We wanted to feel his strength. We wanted to pay tribute to him in the world of football, and this was the best opportunity to do so."[LNB]Spain's triumph had been predicted by Paul, the psychic German octopus and Iniesta added: "As for the octopus, what can I say? We won. The octopus will be very popular in Spain."[LNB]Spain coach Vicente del Bosque refused to criticise Holland for their approach.[LNB]He said: "First of all I should congratulate our opponents. They made it very difficult for us to play comfortably.[LNB]"It's been a very intense match, and congratulations to them.[LNB]"Fabregas came on and we began to dominate. We had greater ball possession and depth in our game.[LNB]"We created chances for Cesc and David Villa which we could have converted, but that's the way football goes."[LNB]Del Bosque said the whole of the country deserved to share in the jubilation.[LNB]He added: "The dressing room is delighted, ecstatic. But Spain, the country, deserves this triumph, this World Cup.[LNB]"This goes beyond sport. We have to celebrate. All the people have been behind us in Spain, and we're delighted to reward them with this victory."
