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Xavi praises Andrea Pirlo

Xavi says that Spain's technical prowess makes up their their diminutive physical stature.

Spain midfielder Xavi has singled out Andrea Pirlo for special praise in the run-up to tonight's Euro 2012 final.

The 33-year-old has played a starring role in Italy's run to tonight's final and has been heralded as one of the players of the tournament.

Xavi said that he is pleased that there are players of Pirlo's ilk, who try to pay attractive attacking football rather than out-muscle their opponents.

"A few years ago, football was showing tendencies of becoming more physical and the games more condensed," said Xavi.

"We were very lucky that, although [Spain's] footballers were slightly weaker physically, they were more talented technically.

"Players like Pirlo are playing in a similar way, so I'm very happy that the tendency in football now is to try to play and try to attack."

Pirlo has won 88 caps for his country.

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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