Hot Euro player of the day: Iker Casillas (Spain)

Photo: Iker Casillas’s own Facebook page. This is why we love him.

Other people who have been following the Euro Cup seem to think that Spain’s team is all about Andrés Iniesta. Iniesta is an incredible player, and totally deserved to be named Best Player of the Tournament. However, I felt that those less familiar with Spain weren’t giving enough credit to the rest of the team. Little Jordi Alba scored his first ever goal for Spain in yesterday’s final, but more importantly, has come into his own as a great defender. Fernando Torres has gone from a dismal season at Chelsea to winning the Golden Boot (which stunned even me) thanks to his goal in the final. In fact, ten Spanish players were included in UEFA’s 23-man Team of the Tournament.

So when the crowd at the Spanish Club were I was watching the final chanted, “Iker! Iker! Iker!” every time Casillas made a save, I felt right in my element. It was good to be around people who realize just how special our captain is. And since his three international tournaments as captain have also been the three consecutive ones that Spain has won (the first team in history to do so), it would be very hard to imagine victory without him. And he totally deserves a whole gallery.

Since Iker didn’t have any children to show off in last night’s baby parade, he borrowed Princesses Leonor and Sofia of Spain. Photo: Getty via Daylife.

Photo: Getty via Daylife

The world’s greatest goalkeepers, Iker Casilas and Gigi Buffon. Photo: Getty via Zimbio.

I find this incredibly sexy. Photo: Reuters via Daylife

Photo: AFP via Daylife

Photo: Getty via Daylife

Must you always wear base layers, Iker? Surely it’s not that cold in Ukraine. Photo: Getty via Daylife

That’s a little better. Photo: Getty via Zimbio.

Why hello. Photo: AFP via Daylife

Hot Euro player of the day: Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)

Photo: Getty via Zimbio

Two days until the final, and co-host Ukraine is the only country I haven’t represented yet. At 35, Andriy Shevchenko was the oldest striker in the tournament, and a legend in his home country. Although Ukraine didn’t make it past the group stage, Sheva should be proud of his performance in the tournament (his last with Ukraine), having scored a brace against Sweden. His contract with Dynamo Kyiv expires next month, and he has said he is considering retiring from playing altogether.

Hot Euro player of the day: Daniele De Rossi (Italy)

Photo: Getty via Zimbio

So, it’s going to be a Spain-Italy final! Can you handle all the hot? Despite acquiring a muscle injury in the quarter-final against England, 28-year-old De Rossi played the full 90 minutes against Germany in good form. The midfielder is not likely to come to La Liga, nor should he: he belongs at Roma, where he has played since he was 16.

Hot Euro player of the day: Cesc Fàbregas (Spain)

Photo: Getty via Daylife

It’s sometimes easy to forget that the winning goal in a penalty shootout is no more important than the others. But Cesc scoring that last goal was just plain hot. That’s all I have to say.

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts

Photo: Getty via Daylife

I know it hurts. But now you get some time off to work on that tan, which really isn’t up to your usual summer standard.

Bonus:

Photo: Getty via Daylife

Hot Euro player of the day: Stephen Kelly (Ireland)

Photo: Fulham FC

It’s all fine and well to look at Irish footballers running around, but it would be so much better if we could hear their accents too. It’s no secret that Ireland were the worst team in the Euro Cup with 0 points, but I love them for making it for the first time in 24 years, and their fans for being amazing. Green-eyed defender Stephen Kelly didn’t get a chance to play in the tournament, but the 28-year-old is a regular feature with his club, Fulham.

Hot Euro player of the day: Gregory van der Wiel (Netherlands)

Photo via gregoryvanderwiel.com

You have to feel bad for the Oranje, who have gone from World Cup runners-up to bottom of their Euro Cup group in just two years. Yummy defender Gregory defender was hoping to move from Ajax to Real Madrid next season, but now feels it’s unlikely due to his poor performance at the Euro. But he’s talented and only 24, so he could go far if he put some more work into his game.

Hot Euro player of the day: Claudio Marchisio (Italy)

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has been waiting patiently while I kept choosing Spanish players from Group C. Although I was cheering for England in today’s quarter-final, I jumped on the chance to feature the spectacular 26-year-old today. He looks just as good with clothes, but how could I resist?

Hot Euro player of the day: Sergio Ramos (Spain)

Photo: Getty via Daylife

Well, Xabi Alonso made his 100th appearance for Spain and got both goals in the quarter-final against France. But since he was just featured, we’ll go with Sergio (who never needs a reason). But I do love that he’s finally cut his hair. And there’s always this:

Photo: AP via Daylife

(I love you too, Álvaro.)

Hot Euro player of the day: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Greece)

Photo: Getty via Daylife

Killer eyebrows? Check. Impossible name? Check. Hairy chest? No? Well, I guess you shouldn’t believe all the stereotypes. Greece couldn’t make it past superstar Germany in today’s quarter-final, but they’ve had a good run, thanks in part to 24-year-old Sokratis. The defender has been on loan from Genoa to Werder Bremen, but no news yet on where he will be next season.