Euro 2008 Final: Spain 1 v 0 Germany - Spain Win Euro 2008

June 29, 2008 by CLDsport

Spain win Euro 2008 A first-half goal from Liverpool’s Fernando Torres was enough to beat a defensively inept German side in Vienna. Torres struck just after the half hour mark, after muscling his way past Lahm and poking it over the advancing Lehmann.

Predictably the match started as a relatively scrappy affair, with neither team able to take the initiative. Nerves were surely playing a big part, as both Germany and Spain tried to ‘play themselves in’. Spain were seeing a lot of the ball, but were happy to play it around at the back, while the German’s were closing down quickly, and attempting to gain some early control.

Spain - in my opinion - have played the best football throughout this summer’s tournament. It seemed a little strange then, that in the first 20 minutes the Spanish appeared to be playing a long ball game.

It was to the Spanish though, that the first real chance fell. In the 15th minute Xavi played Iniesta through brilliantly, who then cut inside onto his right foot. His driven cross/shot deflected off Metzelder towards goal. Lehmann was equal to it though, as he palmed it behind for a Spanish corner.

Torres soon began to impose himself, and the German’s were struggling to cope with him. Three times in 4 minutes the Liverpool forward threatened Lehmann’s goal - including heading against the post after 25 minutes from a Ramos cross.

Spain were starting to look more and more confident, and were playing the ball around brilliantly.

Just before the half-hour mark, Germany had a shout for handball in the penalty area turned down by the Italian referee, and rightly so. Ballack’s volley hit Ramos in the ribs, and there was no chance of any hands being involved.

Under 5 minutes later though, and Germany had a far more convincing penalty appeal, and again it was for handball. Capdevila was the defender involved this time, and the ball bounced up and DID hit him in the arm. The referee either did not see it, or more likely, classed it as ball to hand.

As Spain counter attacked, it took a good challenge from Mertesacker to stop Torres getting through on goal. But, it didn’t take long for the lone striker to do one better.

Fabregas played the ball over the top, and Torres overpowered Phillipp Lahm before knocking the ball over the advancing Lehmann and into the net. 1-0 Spain, and a fully deserved lead.

The remainder of the half belonged to a rampant Spain, who were easily on top, and could have extended their lead. 1-0 it remained though as the half-time whistle was blown.

The second-half started with the first substitution of the final, and unsurprisingly it was made by Germany coach Low. Phillipp Lahm was taken off for Marcell Jansen. With the first 15 minutes of the half played, it was obvious Germany were going to have to change something - and quickly. The Spanish were still in complete control, with Germany not looking at all competitive.

No surprise then, that on the hour Low replaced a completely ineffective Hitzlsperger with striker Kuranyi, and shuffled the formation to a 4-4-2. Just 2 minutes later, and Germany finally had a decent chance. A rare error by the Spanish defence - namely Carlos Puyol - let in substitute Jansen. As the ball ends up with Ballack, he sends his volley narrowly wide.

This chance seemed to ignite some much needed German passion. Just 2 minutes had passed when Casillas had to touch Ballack’s cross away from the approaching Kuranyi. Within 60 seconds the German’s broke away again. However, Schweinsteiger’s shot deflected off Miroslav Klose for a goal-kick. The German fans were responding to the team’s attacking spell.

Spain were lucky not to be down to 10 men just a couple of minutes later. Podolski and Silva lock heads, until the Spaniard moved his head in the direction of Podolski - who held his face. How much contact there was was unclear, but any movement of the head is an automatic red card. If Podolski had collapsed on the floor and rolled around a little, Silva may well have been off. Another example of just why some footballers are a little theatrical. The ref simply awarded a free-kick to Germany, and told everyone to calm down.

A good management decision by Aragones as he removed Silva from the action. The Spaniard was lookig hot-headed, and a sending off could very well destroy Spain’s hopes.

With 20 minutes remaining, Spain really should have doubled their lead. The awful Jansen plays Sergio Ramos onside from a free-kick curled in from the right - leaving the Spanish defender with a free header which was well saved by Lehmann. If Ramos had headed back across goal however, it would surely have been a second.

The last quarter of an hour saw Spain continue to control the match. Germany looked tired, and out of ideas - while the Spanish still looked full of flair, and imagination. Time after time Xavi was playing Torres in - only for him to be stopped by a last-ditch tackle, or simply beaten by his own touch.

Even with just a few minutes remaining, it only looked like Spain who were capable of scoring. Senna missed a Cazorla header across goal by mere inches with his outstretched leg.

As the final whistle was blown, predictably the Spanish party started. Spain have not won a trophy for 44 years - far too long for such a footballing nation. In my opinion they deserve the win. They have been the best footballing team throughout the 3 weeks, starting as they meant to go on with a 4-1 demolition of Russia in their first group match. The German’s were lucky to even be appearing in Vienna tonight - and certainly did not deserve to win.

Thankfully for the good of the competition, a true footballing side came through and won the trophy. Congratulations to Spain. Oh, how I’d like to be on the streets of Madrid tonight!

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