Spain shares in Liverpool's Turkish delight

After an unusually barren season for Spanish teams in Europe, Liverpool's thrilling victory in the Champions League final over AC Milan was celebrated as if it was one of the country's own.

"Liverpool y Ole" rang out the front page headline of Thursday's sports daily AS, highlighting the role played by Madrid-born manager Rafa Benitez and Spain's Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia in the English side's success in Istanbul.

National daily El Pais said that much of the credit for Liverpool's triumph should go to former Valencia coach Benitez, whom it dubbed "the King of Merseyside".

And while most newspapers agreed that keeper Jerzy Dudek and the inspirational Steven Gerrard were the heroes of the night, they stressed that Benitez and the Spanish contingent of players had been fundamental to Liverpool's success in Europe.

"For two decades Liverpool has been an ordinary team and lacking in the greatness that characterised its history," said AS columnist J.J. Santos. "Worse still they had become resigned to accepting that they were ordinary."

"But they have got where they have today because of the methodical work of their new coach and his assistants. These men showed everyone that a limited team can still end up being winners."

Benitez becomes only the fourth Spaniard to coach a team to victory in the European Cup, joining former Real Madrid bosses Jose Villalonga, Miguel Munoz and Vicente del Bosque in the hall of fame.

Former Real Sociedad player Alonso and Barcelona old boy Garcia also received plaudits from many Spanish commentators.

"Xabi led the Liverpool comeback," said El Mundo Deportivo. "He never lost his composure even when Milan looked to be running away with it. He grew in stature as the match went on, directed the team, won the ball and passed it round like a master."

"Luis Garcia wasn't able to score but he gave everything as usual and cleared a certain Milan goal off the line with his chest. The Spanish Reds were in heaven last night."