Baton will pass as Spain's monopoly on competition comes to an end
My article for MARCA
UEFA confirmed on Friday that the former Spain international Xavi Hernandez will be tasked with presenting the trophy to the victors in Sunday's final between hosts France and Portugal.
Spain's stranglehold on this trophy came to and end last week when they were knocked out by Italy in the last 16, losing for a second time in the space of of a few days in a competition where they previously hadn't lost a single game since 2004.
Xavi, who retired from international football two summers ago with 133 caps, was a central figure as Spain won the competition in 2008 and 2012, in addition to claiming their first World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
France have won the last two tournaments which have taken place on home soil while Portugal, runners-up in 2004 when also hosting this competition, hope to claim their first senior international title.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE AT MARCA IN ENGLISH
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