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Pique: The quick pitch allowed us to enjoy the game
Posted Friday, June 15, 2012 by Goal.com

Pique: The quick pitch allowed us to enjoy the game

Spain defender Gerard Pique has admitted the condition of the pitch helped his side record a 4-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on Thursday evening.

A double from Fernando Torres and a goal each from David Silva and Cesc Fabregas saw Giovanni Trapattoni’s men knocked out of the competition, and Vicente del Bosque’s side climb up to the summit of the group alongside Croatia.

And after complaints that the pitch was too dry in their match against Italy, the 25-year-old Barcelona star believes the conditions were perfect this time around.

Speaking to the media after the match, he said: “The pitch was very quick and that made us enjoy the game. After winning in this way we did, I have to say the three points were very important for us.

“We did it playing well and got a positive result to reach next round. When the pitch is dry, it is more difficult to play like this.”

Some Spanish players had commented that the surface in their opening match favoured the style of Cesare Prandelli’s side. However, the point gained in the 1-1 draw and the victory against the Irish see Del Bosque’s side sitting on four points at the top of Group C, with their final group match against Croatia on Monday.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia