This year, two of my favorite players are leaving their childhood clubs behind. Iker Casillas Fernandez, age 34, has been a goalkeeper for the first team at Real Madrid since 1999 and team captain for five years. Xavi Hernandez Creus, age 35, made his first team debut as a midfielder for FC Barcelona in 1998 and was captain this past season, when his team won all three major tournaments for the second time in Spanish history.

Despite the intense rivalry of their respective clubs, these two men have been friends since they met as teenagers. At times, their mutual esteem and affection have been the glue that holds the Spanish national team together, allowing them to win two European Cups and Spain's only World Cup between 2008 and 2012. Even the Prince of Asturias has recognized this OTP.

( Read more... )

<333333333 So much love for these two men, and I wish both of them all the best in this next stage of their respective careers.

...not just during Ramos' well-intentioned penalty kick, but during pretty much all of yesterday's match. They took us through the torture of the semifinal against Italy, and then between little rest for aging legs, Brazilian brutality conveniently overlooked by the ref, a superb save by David Luiz, and more than their share of bad luck, they lost the final 3-0. And Xavi, being a bigger man than I am, simply stated that while Spain had really wanted to play a good game, they failed to show up.

Wasn't going to do a post, but Jordi Alba just scored in the first 3 minutes, so... Comments here!

Title: Booty Duty Calls
Pairing: Iker Casillas/Xavi Hernández
Rating: PG
Word Count: 380
Summary: Xavi has a bright idea after the Spain NT's surprise draw in Finland.
Author's Note: Xavi asked Del Bosque to bring Iker to the match against France. As sageharper says, they really do ship themselves.

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Spain vs. Uruguay at 19:00 in Doha
Argentina vs. Sweden at 20:30 in Solna

Anyone watching either of these friendly matches is welcome to live comment here!

Title: Catch a Falling Star
Rating: NC-17
Characters: Xavi Hernández/Fernando Torres, allusions to Iker Casillas/Sara Carbonero and past Xavi Hernández/Iker Casillas, with cameos from Lionel Messi and the entire Spain NT
Word Count: 3243
Summary: Xavi Hernández grows up, falls in love, and takes Spain to victory in the 2012 Euros, not necessarily in that order. A sort of sequel to Never a Bride (but you don't need to have read that one first).
Disclaimer: While inspired by real persons and events, this story is a work of fiction.

Back to Chapter 2

( Chapter 3: Extra Time )

At least we're finally out of the group stage...


( Group A )

( Group B )

( Group C )

( Group D )

Again, those of you who have been watching, please chime in to agree, contradict, and/or add your own impressions from any of these matches!