The reactions after the European Championship final

The first reactions after the final of the European Football Championship in Germany between Spain and England (2:1):

Gareth Southgate (England team manager): “I am very proud of my players, they gave everything in the tournament. We were not good enough to win the game. Spain was the best team. Small mistakes, a good finish – these are the differences in such games.”

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Harry Kane (England captain): “It’s hard to put into words. It’s very painful – as painful as it can be in a football match. We did well to get back into the game. We had the momentum but we couldn’t keep the ball and we were punished for it. That’s the way the final is. It’s not easy to get into these finals. You have to grab it when it comes and we didn’t do it again. That’s going to hurt for a while.”

King Charles III (British Regent): “Anyone who has taken part in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly depressing a result like this can feel when the prize is so close. And everyone will join me in expressing our heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.”

Luis de la Fuente (Spain team boss): “I couldn’t be happier. I see the fans, I see the players – a real team, the European champions. I’ve already said I’m proud and today I’m even prouder. It confirms who we are. For me they are the best team in the world and today I confirm that definition.”

Nico Williams (Spain goalscorer/player of the match): “Wonderful, I’m very happy that we won here. It’s great for our parents, for our fans – they have always supported us. We suffered a lot against a good team. We had to play 100 percent and we did it. Now we are European champions.”

Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain goalscorer): “I did what I could. I wanted to help, of course, and a bit of luck was also part of it in the end. It was a difficult thing, we all put our all into it. After my injury, I’m particularly happy that I’m back now and that what happened happened. I’m happy. I’m obviously incredibly proud that I scored the goal. I saw Cucurella pull up. Then I looked to get forward and got the ball, and it went in.”

Rodri (Spain player/player of the tournament): “Oh my God. What a day. Probably the best day of my football career. In Spain they always talk about the past generation, but now we have become one too. Today we made history. It’s because of the mentality of this incredible team. The coach knows what he’s doing and how he prepares us. He is always humble, quiet, but a fantastic coach. I hope that tomorrow the whole of Spain will be very proud of us.”

Dani Olmo (Spain player/joint top scorer): “It’s a great team, we’re so proud of it. We’ve had a great journey. We started in Berlin and wanted to finish in Berlin and that’s how it is. I was absolutely full of confidence – throughout the tournament. It’s nice to have played the tournament here in Germany. To win here in Berlin is the pinnacle.”

Alvaro Morata (Spain captain): “Positive news leads to positive things – and we saw how much Spain believed in us. I hope they are proud of this team and everything that is to come in the future, because you saw that.”