Spain's World Cup winning team have won the prestigious Prince of Asturias sports award in their homeland. Spain followed up their success at the European Championships in 2008 by winning the country's first ever World Cup crown this summer, beating Holland 1-0 after extra time in July's final in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A statement on the Fundacion Principe de Asturias website read: "The triumph of the Spanish national team in the World Cup, after having won the European Championship, has become one of the most important achievements for Spanish sport at an international level.

"Their exemplary way of understanding football, based on sportsmanship, fair play and teamwork, has brought millions of people together around a team that has made history."

The Prince of Asturias awards, which date back to 1981 and which aside from sport include seven other fields, such as arts, technical and scientific research, and international cooperation, will be presented to the various winners later this year at a ceremony in Oviedo.