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VILLA GRATEFUL TO XABI AND PEPE

Spain hat-trick hero David Villa has thanked two of Liverpool's stars for helping him claim the match ball.

/noticias.info/ After his treble saw off the challenge of Russia in Spain's opening Group D game of Euro 2008 on Tuesday, the Valencia striker was left disappointed after being told by the referee he couldn't keep the match ball.

However, the intervention of teammates Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina changed Austrian official Konrad Plautz's mind.

Villa said: "The referee said he couldn't give it to me because of a UEFA rule but Pepe and Xabi Alonso talked to him in English and managed to get the ball for me."

Spain are next in action on Saturday when they face Sweden in Innsbruck at 5pm GMT. notas_de_prensa_archivo