Real Madrid

On 18 May Iker Casillas was presented with the Zamora Trophy in recognition of having conceded the fewest goals in La Liga. One month later, the captain of the Spanish national team is a European champion after leading a generation of magnificent footballers past each and every opponent by conceding a spectacular 0.4 goals per match.

On 5 June Iker Casillas landed in Innsbruck, Austria wearing the captain's bracelet of a team beaming with optimism. The Madridista arrived a leader and left a Spanish hero.

Those who resisted to recognize Iker as the best goalkeeper in the world had to cave in to overwhelming evidence provided by a keeper who has ice running through his veins. Not only was he the perfect leader, but thanks to an invaluable defense and enviable midfield, Iker also conceded the fewest goals in Euro 2008.

Spain played a total of six games, of which Casillas started five. The only match he didn't take part in was a 2-1 victory against Greece where Reina took position between the three posts. Four-hundred fifty minutes (plus 30 minutes of overtime against Italy) during which the Reds' number '1' only conceded two goals. The 0.4 goals pers match average was the lowest of the competition.

Once the group stage ended, no team was capable of scoring on Spain. Neither Italy, nor Russia, nor Germany managed to find the back of the Spanish net. Teams were only driven to despair as they watched their numerous scoring chances saved by the captain. Only the Italians made Casillas retreive the ball from inside the goal, a match worthy of its own chapter.

22 June 2008. Quarterfinals. Historic barrier for Spain in a European Championship, but the curse was broken by a grandiose hero. After a full 90 minutes of play and another 30 of added time, it came down to Casillas versus Buffon, the best two goalkeepers in the world head to head. Only one could come out on top, and Casillas won the duel by stopping De Rossi and Di Natale penalty kicks.

Spain and Croatia, who played two fewer matches, conceded the fewest goals (3) throughout the competition, but on an individual basis, Casillas topped the chart by conceding an average 0.4 goals per match; just another accomplishment to add to an already extensive CV.