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He gets the ball, he scores again

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:31:09 GMT

44 years is a long time to wait for a trophy. But it ended with a split second of hesitation in the German defence. That's all Fernando Torres needed to score the winner. Spain, and Liverpool, went mad. Take it to the next level.

Ending a 44-year drought is next level

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:20:24 GMT

Everything comes to he who waits. And in his first major European tournament for his country, Cesc Fabregas played a vital part in helping Spain win their first trophy since 1964.

Cesc made his heading practice on Nike Live: The Cesc Fabregas Show count by scoring his first international goal when he headed in against Russia. His ability to stay cool under pressure was proven at the highest level as he fearlessly converted his first competitive penalty in the shoot-out against World Champions Italy. And when he dinked the ball for Guiza to score the vital goal in the semi-final, that deft control looked very familiar.

Again Cesc played his part in the final, pulling the strings in midfield, as Fernando Torres fired Spain into the lead and onto victory. And when the final whistle blew, Cesc was the first to celebrate with his team-mates as they were crowned Los Campiones de Europa.

Press play below to watch in full the first part of Nike Live: The Cesc Fabregas Show.

Coming on and running things is Next Level

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:17:02 GMT

It’s the semi finals, the game is tied 0-0 and the tournament’s leading goal scorer is injured.

You come off the bench and in a display close to genius set up 2 of the 3 goals and your team into the finals.

Spain parties but your manager has one hell of a selection nightmare come Sunday.

Could You Score A Penalty With 45 Million People On Your Back?

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:12:07 GMT

The last time Spain made it through to the semi-finals of a competition,
Cesc Fabregas wasn't even born. No pressure, then, as he stepped up to take
the penalty that would knock out the World Champions. Just the expectations
of the entire nation on the youngest shoulders on the pitch. Goalkeeper one
way, ball the other. Dragons slayed, ghosts exorcised, superstitions
dismantled. You're 21 and you know no fear.

Timing Your Run Is Next Level

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:10:31 GMT

Andre Arshavin missed Russia's first two group games through suspension. He
returned for the group decider against Sweden and scored. Last night in the
quarter final against Holland, he made one goal and scored another. Don't peak too early.

Down Doesn't Mean Out

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:08:57 GMT

Turkey are in the semifinals. In their four games so far, they've had the lead for about two minutes in total.

It doesn't matter how long you're behind so long as you finish ahead.

Better late than out.

There Is No Second Eleven

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:07:53 GMT

All the pre-game talk was of Holland putting out a weakened side against
Romania. It was a different side, to be sure. And it won 2-0. No
conspiracies, no compromises, no concessions. Three games, three wins.
Twenty three players, one team.

Never Say Die is Next Level

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:04:16 GMT

With 75 minutes gone, Turkey were 0-2 down, dead and buried. Then Arda Turan
cracks in a goal. A lifeline. 87 minutes, Nihat Kahveci scores. And while
everyone else was waiting for penalties, he scored again. Cancel the wake,
book the party.

Scoring For Fun is Next Level

nike_in — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:00:16 GMT

You're 3-1 up in the last seconds of the game. You've won the group by a mile.
No-one can match you for points. Goal difference makes no difference.
You could take the ball over to the corner flag and run the clock down.
Or you could be Wesley Sneijder.