Unai Simon already practiced on Friday to cheer with the trophy for the European Football Championship title. Spain’s new goalkeeper hero and penalty defuser against Switzerland held his trophy as “Man of the Match” in his hands and stretched his arms upwards. The 24-year-old, who even offered himself as a shooter because of the alleged crisis of the Iberians, did what he does best: he shone with reflexes on the line and heaved the “Red Fury” in with two saved penalties the EURO semifinals against Italy on Tuesday.
“Grande Unai Simon” tweeted someone who knows more than too well what it feels like to be the hero of a penalty shootout: “San” Iker Casillas, two-time European champion and world champion with Spain.
“The emotions of the moment are indescribable,” admitted the Basque Unai Simon, who was the laughing stock at the beginning of the round of 16 against Croatia. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper let a harmless back pass to make it 0-1 and got his teammates into trouble.
All of this has long been forgotten. The grin wouldn’t leave Simon’s face that quickly. The young man justified the trust that team boss Luis Enrique had placed in him. Now Simon is hot for his next trophy. With Bilbao he was Supercup winner last season, with two Spanish junior national teams (U19 and U21) he was already European champion. Two victories are missing to achieve this feat with the big ones too.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
