Cesc Fabregas has revealed that his winning penalty in the shoot-out success over Italy in Vienna four years ago was "one of the most beautiful days" of his career.

The Barcelona midfielder was just 21 at the time but he held his nerve wonderfully well to earn his country a place in the semi-finals of a tournament they would go on to win.

Looking back on the game ahead of this weekend's Euro 2012 opener with Italy in Gdansk, Fabregas feels his crucial spot-kick was a key moment in his development as a player.

"I remember it as one of the most beautiful days of my career," the former Arsenal man is quoted as saying by Sport. "I was very young and it was a very important step on a mental level."

As the reigning European and world champions, Spain are the clear favourites going into this summer's event in Poland and Ukraine, but Fabregas insists his nation will encounter stiff competition when battling to retain their title.

Cesc Fabregas has revealed that his winning penalty in the shoot-out success over Italy in Vienna four years ago was "one of the most beautiful days" of his career.

The Barcelona midfielder was just 21 at the time but he held his nerve wonderfully well to earn his country a place in the semi-finals of a tournament they would go on to win.

Looking back on the game ahead of this weekend's Euro 2012 opener with Italy in Gdansk, Fabregas feels his crucial spot-kick was a key moment in his development as a player.

"I remember it as one of the most beautiful days of my career," the former Arsenal man is quoted as saying by Sport. "I was very young and it was a very important step on a mental level."

As the reigning European and world champions, Spain are the clear favourites going into this summer's event in Poland and Ukraine, but Fabregas insists his nation will encounter stiff competition when battling to retain their title.