ULTIMATELY ON Sunday (June 29) Spain won the Euro 2008 after beating Germany by 1-0 in the final played in Vienna. This is the second time that Spain won the championship of European football, the first victory being way back in 1964.The only goal of the match was scored in the 33rd minute by Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, who outpaced Germany defender Philipp Lahm and chipped the ball over the diving goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Fernando Torres was the hero for Spain, netting the only goal of the game in the first half, pouncing on some hesitancy in the German defence, to give the country its first European Championship title.
Spain won their European title in fine style, deservedly beating dull Germany 1-0 in Vienna, on a goal from Fernando Torres. The handsome win culminates a wonderful Euro 2008 for Spain, who have won five games and drawn one, scoring 12 goals and conceding just three. Luis Aragones’ young team only had 48 per cent possession, but nonetheless created countless chances and should have scored more goals.
Spain goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas was happy this Sunday, after breaking “the curse of the quarters” in major tournaments, and he remembered those who did not have faith in the team after Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the final of Euro 2008. “I was already tired of the curse of the quarters. I think there are some smart guys who are going to have to shut their mouths for a long time,” Casillas said in Vienna in reference to Spain’s previous failures to get past the quarter-final stages at major tournaments.
Germany, in contrast, failed to create a single clear chance and were clearly outclassed. True to tradition, however, they battled until the bitter end, despite their fatigue and frustration. Germany made an aggressive start, determined not to let Spain dominate, but lacked the craft to create clear chances.
Spain slowly but surely got their act together and almost went ahead in the 14th minute, when German keeper Jens Lehmann had to keep out a deflection from defender, Christoph Metzelder. The only goal came in the 33rd minute. The majestic Xavi Hernandez played a tempting through ball for Torres, who powered his way past Philipp Lahm and beat the slow Lehmann with a clever chip.
Germany adopted a more direct approach in the second half, but with captain not looking fit and with striker Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose well marked - they were always travelling more in hope than expectation.
Spain’s match winner Fernando Torres said a dream had come true for him by winning his first major international title and Spain’s first trophy for 64 years. “It is a feeling of incredible joy,” the Liverpool forward said.“This is a dream come true for me. Winning the European Championship is almost like winning the World Cup.”
This tournament was never going to be a stroll for Germany, a team, which in the eyes of many, overachieved in making it this far. It was a campaign that they had dubbed the Bergtour (mountain tour) as they prepared for their expedition to Austria and Switzerland, but that theme felt more appropriate than ever last night as Ballack and his teammates fell agonisingly short of conquering the summit.
