Spanish striker Villa crowned top scorer at Euro 2008

Spain's players celebrate with the trophy after the Euro 2008 championships final between Germany and Spain in Vienna, Austria, on June 29, 2008. A first-half goal from Fernando Torres earned Spain the first UEFA European Championship in 44 years. (Xinhua/Guo Yong)VIENNA, June 29 -- Spanish strikers David Villa, who missed the final against Germany which Spain won 1-0 for the title, was still crowned the top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals.

Villa scored all his four goals in Spain's first two games in Austria - three against Russia and one against Sweden.

The three-goal feat in the match against Russia also made him the first player to hit a hat-trick in European Championship since2000.

The 26-year-old Valencia CF forward was unable to add to that tally, but nevertheless finished one goal clear of Germany's Lukas Podolski, Roman Pavlyuchenko of Russia, Switzerland's Hakan Yakin and Semih Senturk of Turkey.

Twelve players registered two goals each, including Daniel Guiza and final hero Fernando Torres, both from Spain. Germany trio Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger also scored two goals each.