KEIR RADNEDGE in BERLIN: Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente has been in charge for only 19 months but already he has set himself a high bar with two trophies.

The former European youth title-winning coach guided the seniors to success in the UEFA Nations League last year and has now doubled up by plotting his country’s record fourth European Championship.

De la Fuente, after the 2-1 win over England in Berlin, said: “I couldn’t be happier. To see the fans, to see the players. A real team, European champions. I said I was proud and now I am even prouder. It confirms what we are. For me, they are the best in the world and I am able to confirm that definition.”

Nico Williams, the left winger who scored Spain’s first goal shortly after halftime, praised England for making victory hard work.

Williams said: “I’m euphoric. All our people deserve it. We suffered a lot. England had a good team. They have players who can make the difference. However we were able to counter their weapons and in the end we can be very happy.”

Match-winner Mikel Oyarzabal was modest about the scoring the goal which has sealed his name in European football history.

He said: “I have done my job. I did what I had to do at every moment to try to help. I was lucky enough to give the victory. Just the fact of being in the 26, you value it a lot here. To have the moment to help as it has happened to me is the best. It happened to me but could have happened to anyone.”

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