It was no secret that the most valuable player of EURO 2012 was going to be Spanish. It just wasn't clear which of Spain's stars it would.
Andres Iniesta was named the player of the tournament by UEFA, leading a group of 10 Spanish players named to the 23-man team of the tournament. The 28-year-old Barcelona midfielder was instrumental in Spain's march to a third-consecutive major title despite not scoring a goal. Iniesta played in all six games for Spain.
"Picking Iniesta sends a message about creativity, incisive football and humility," Uefa technical director Andy Roxburgh said.
Of the 23 selections only England's Steven Gerrard and Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic came from teams that did not reach the semifinals. Italy and Germany had four selections while Portugal received three mentions.
Here are some more stories to keep your Monday going.
GREAT BRITAIN ANNOUNCES OLYMPIC SQUAD
For the first time since 1974, and for perhaps the final time ever, Great Britain has announced an Olympic roster.
Olympic manager Stuart Pearce unveiled the 18-man roster for the upcoming London games on Monday with Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, Liverpool's Craig Bellamy, and Manchester City's Micah Richard's named as the three overage players. Despite players from all four home nations being eligible there were no Scottish or Northern Irish players selected.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge and Ryan Bertrand, and Manchester United's Tom Cleverly were among the underage players selected.
Pearce defended his decision to leave LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham off the squad despite Beckham's public desire to play in the Olympics. "In regard to ticket sales or merchandising or whatever, I'm a football man. I have to back my opinion. I feel very sorry for David, I know how much it meant to him. I do understand that," Pearce said. Beckham revealed he was not selected last week.
Here is the roster:
Jack Butland (Birmingham), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough); Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham), Craig Dawson(West Brom), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Neil Taylor(Swansea), James Tomkins (West Ham); Joe Allen (Swansea), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Jack Cork (Southampton), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Danny Rose(Tottenham), Scott Sinclair (Swansea); Craig Bellamy (Liverpool),Marvin Sordell (Bolton), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea).
LAVEZZI SECURES PSG MOVE
Paris Saint-Germain have announced the signing of midfielder Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli on a four-year deal that was finalized on Monday.
Reports suggest that the transfer fee was in the range of $38 million for the Argentina international. Lavezzi scored 38 goals in five seasons for Napoli and won the 2012 Italian Cup.
"Paris are giving me the chance to develop as a player and I think that the club is going to become one of the most powerful," Lavezzi said. Paris Saint-Germain finished a disappointing second in Ligue 1 despite a massive influx of cash last summer but did qualify for next season's Champions League.
QUICK KICKS
Cesare Prandelli will stay on as Italy manager despite Sunday's loss in the EURO 2012 final.
Juventus announced the signing Kwadwo Asamoah and Mauricio Isla from Udinese for a combined fee of $20 million
Clarence Seedorf has joined Brazilian club Botafogo on a two-year deal.
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What did you think of this afternoon's stories? Is Iniesta a deserving winner? Will Team GB be a success on home soil? Can PSG do some damage with Lavezzi on the roster?
Share your thoughts below.