Jubilant Spanish players celebrated their 1-0 victory over Germany in the World Cup semi-final Wednesday but warned it would be in vain if they fail to beat Holland in Sunday's final, dpa reported.
"I am happy. It was a deserved victory," said Xavi, the creative midfielder and man-of-the match.
"The team did a great job, we dominated the match, and the Spanish personality imposed itself. We had the ball virtually all the time and we felt at ease on the pitch."
Xavi dedicated the victory to the people of Spain but warned that the final hurdle would be tough.
"It will be a mind game, the final against Holland, a great team with great players in midfield and up front," he said. "We have to impose our personality and if we play the way we did today we have a good chance."
"We are so happy. The team played their best game of the tournament. We showed that we can step up in big games," said Spanish forward David Villa after the rematch of the Euro 2008 final, which Spain also won 1-0.
And Villa said the Spanish are hungry for the trophy in their first World Cup showdown with the Netherlands.
"We want more. We're happy to have come this far, but we want to win the world championship."
"Starting tomorrow, we will think of Holland," said defender Gerard Pique. "But today, we are celebrating this success." dpa ag aw Author: Andy Goldberg