LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Monday spoke of his pride in Fernando Torres' Euro 2008 triumph - Spain's first major honour in 44 years.

Torres' winning goal against Germany on Sunday night has made him a national hero and fellow Spaniard Benitez believes the strike will be talked about for decades to come.

Benitez, overseeing the club's return to pre-season training on Monday, has given Torres an extra three weeks' holiday, along with the other Liverpool players in Spain's European championship-winning squad.

Benitez told the club's webiste: "I am very proud, especially after he has been criticised from some journalists in Spain.

"Everyone remembers the Marcelino goal from 44 years ago, and the last final Spain were in was 24 years ago. Now people will talk about Torres in the same way."

And Benitez was in no doubt that the best team won.

"Spain played well. For 10 minutes at the start of each half Germany were pressing, but after that Spain controlled the game," he said.

"The first goal changed the game. After that (Christoph) Metzelder pushed forward and Torres was left one versus one. Spain could play on the counter and that was important.

"They had three or four players in the middle with real quality and played good football."

Torres and Spanish counterparts Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina will now have three weeks' rest before returning to Melwood ahead of the new campaign.