Eurosport - Mon, 30 Jun 13:23:00 2008
A first-half goal by Fernando Torres gave Spain their first major trophy in 44 years after a 1-0 Euro 2008 final win over Germany.
The Liverpool striker beat the hesitant Philipp Lahm to a Xavi through ball on 33 minutes and prodded it beyond Jens Lehmann.
Although a dominant Spain side never delivered a knock-out blow, it mattered little as Germany never seriously looked like mounting a comeback.
The victory at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna rounded off a superb tournament for the Spanish, for whom it was a second European triumph in addition to their 1964 win.
It vindicated the decision to keep faith with veteran coach Luis Aragones who came under fire for his results, team selection and an embarrassing racist outburst about France striker Thierry Henry in 2004. Aragones has set the bar high for incoming Spain boss Vicente del Bosque
There can be no doubt that Spain deserved to win the cup as - despite the excitement provided by Russia, Turkey, Netherlands and Portugal - they scored more goals and conceded fewer than any other team.
After a relatively cagey opening 10 minutes that saw Germany make most of the running, Spain slowly took control of the match with their calm possession and quick counter-attacks.
Sergio Ramos had his obligatory lapse of concentration as early as the third minute, although Miroslav Klose's terrible touch spared Spain and Ramos.
The Spaniards had the first effort on target when Lehmann was forced to save from Christoph Metzelder, who almost put Andres Iniesta's low cross past his own keeper.
Spain gained confidence and, with Iniesta in particular able to find space on the left, the single-pronged attack allowed them to break in numbers from midfield, with Torres and David Silva also profiting from great delivery by Xavi and Cesc Fabregas.
Germany, on the other hand, started to regress. Per Mertesacker looked particularly uncomfortable as Torres and Iniesta exploited his positional and decision-making frailties.
Aside from giving them the run of the penalty area and the occasional loose pass to latch onto, the tall Werder Bremen defender's trademark aerial ability was left in the dressing room as the much smaller Torres managed to beat him to crosses on three occasions, one of which saw the ball strike the inside of the post on 22 minutes.
Spain took the lead just after the half-hour when Torres snuck between Lahm and Lehmann to chip the ball home from the edge of the box.
Lahm was culpable as he seemed to let Torres get past when he appeared to have the ball covered. It was a sweet finish though, and no more than Spain deserved as they attacked from deep with pace and flair.
The Bayern Munich full-back paid for his error and was replaced by club team-mate Marce'l Jansen at half-time. It had little immediate effect though, as Spain continued to boss the match after the restart.
Lehmann saved from Xavi, Ramos was agonisingly close to backheeling Silva's low drive into goal, and Lehmann prevented a carbon-copy of Torres's opener when he rushed out to block the Liverpool man.
Germany had a chance when Ballack shot just wide, but that was a short blip and Spain continued to create opportunities - although they could have gone down to 10 men when a confrontation between Lukas Podolski and Silva saw the Valencia winger aim a headbutt at the Bayern striker.
Ramos should have scored but headed straight at Lehmann after shocking Germany marking from a Xavi free-kick, and Torsten Frings then cleared Iniesta's low drive off the line after a short corner.
Germany looked short of ideas and energy, so boss Joachim Loew gambled by bringing on target man Kevin Kuranyi.
It had little effect though as the three-time winners huffed and puffed while Spain sat back and picked their breaks at leisure.
There was a moment of controversy when Lehmann appeared to handle outside the area, while Brazilian-born Spain midfielder Marcos Senna almost capped off a dream tournament with a goal but was unable to connect with substitute Dani Guiza's excellent cushioned header back across goal.
Germany pressed late on, using long balls and throwing on misfiring striker Mario Gomez, but Spain held on for a comfortable win to finally break their run of underachievement.
Comment 251 - 270 of 270
Spains Euro 2008 football was purely world class they won all they're in some style, I hear that Jens The German goal kepper said the match was fixed this comment is un true, he just a sore looser, spain won the game fair and sqaure
Congrats to Spain I'm happy they won, they showed great football in this European, they were the fair winners as they were the most consistent team and played well in the final as well. It's wonderfull to see a team with such beautiful football win. Germany showed a good atitude, their players are true fighters but it was not enough as they have some debilities in their midfield and defense. This European had great football with some good surprises (Croatia, Russia, Turkey) hope the next will keep up with the good level of football and competitiveness. Peace
VIVA ESPANA!!!! THEY PLAYED LIKE BRAZILIAN STYLE SOCCER, AL JOGA BONITO.
FROM BAJA JOE FROM LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
Hi, I enjoyed and laugh at comments of Donald Carlos. You english ppl mix culture with foatball achievement and this does not make sense. To win a world cup with convincing foatball style is not a proof of superior cultural achievements Donald. Brazil, Italy, Russia and now Spain have terrific futbol teams, but this is a proof of nothing. This on can be though by very desperate people.
Althoug I´m Spanish, I admire the UK history and achievements, I have to admit that UK is in a decline because you are less and less english. You have chosen to be diluted within a multuculturalist do-what-you-want. But you are not alone, this is a tendency of all Europe, so don´t feel alone. You just started earlier. we will follow soon.
Many inmigrants and non europeans will also agree with me. I´m sure.
I`m happy that Spain won,well now Spain hope full teach the german a lessons.Good for Spain
:)
oh dear does it really matter what country you all support. Well done to Spain, Hopefully England will do better next time. I wish everyone would just get on and stop being petty. There are a lot more things that are important to us all, eg our families, paying your mortgage etc. At the end of the day we are all the same, and we all do pretty much the same things in life. So does it really matter where you are from.
tgbriggs2003 - you can't even spell Scotland. That shows how superior you are.
Congrats ESPANA. you're Real Campoenes. Congrats Iker Casillas the Best Goalie in the World . Congrats 2 all My Madridistas.
jtmwesigwa - Spain played on the counter-attack; so of course they had less possession. They just had twice as many shots and four times as many on target. they outplayed germany, who barely had a sniff on goal.
Spain were the better team on the day, but it wasn't that they completely outplayed Germany as the English media want us to believe. It was a fairly balanced match as depicted by the ball possession, GER 53% and Spain 47%. Germany saw the ball quite a lot but hardly created any chances mainly because Klose was out-numbered in front and wasn't effectively supported by the mid-field. The goal was a characteristic Lehmann mistake because Lahm had Torres cornered and Metzelder was looming nearby. There was no way Torres would have scored had Lehmann stayed on his line! I am glad we've seen the last of him in a German shirt! To Spain, enjoy the wine while you still can, and to Germany, don't despair because you have 3 and 3 and, spare a thought for some haters who couldn't even make it to the finals.
england will always apparently "come good" and every manager that takes over is always "the right man".
average players with a great manager won't become great players. hence why england winning the world cup is about as likely as me telling mike tyson he's fat
Stop the arguments - I know there are differences in opinion, but Spain did deserve to win this European championship they kaept the ball better and took their chances. Spain are like England in the fact both teams have been under-acheivers in the past 30-40 years but so too have other sides. Those of you criticising England are talking rubbish - they will come good and I have a good feeling under Fabio. Don't forget that England have lifted the World cup before and this in itself will be drilled in to the players by Capello, so watch out. The same could be said about Italy and Lippi, even though they are the most successful European national team with four world cups.
Winning the world cup is far more important to national teams, with this trophy being second. Well done Spain.
WHAT AN AMAZING MATCH! It was a show of pristinely beautiful football. I can't remember the last time I saw a final this clean with players eager to attack, to score, to move the ball, instead of just freezing it and focusing on defense! I'm happy for Torres, too. He really struggled, and failed, to score in the match against Russia. Must have been really frustrating. With Villa out, this time, he got his chance to prove his class and steal the show. I hope it doesn't all go to his head, and leave Liverpool for more money, and fame.
Props to Sergio Ramos, too. He ran all match long from one penalty box to the other. That was the key of the match, for the Spaniards, they didn't slack off one bit. The players communicated well and consequently the passes found their receivers And it paid off, after over 40 years, Spain is the European Champion!
IMO, we should have seen more goals, though. Spain had quite a few chances, and so did the German side. We were convinced Germany were going to pull a last minute goal, which would have been such a.... well, German trick. But they didn't and Spain got their well deserved win.
Ole from Romania!
fro3enfire is correct
Some of you guys are real twats. England is the best country in the world.
better than scottland
better than germany
better than spain
and the rest of them, and no Im NOT talking about football.
@ franchisescams
England is rubbish? My dear friend they did not qualify for the Euro this time, it is a tragedy for all football fans, i agree English are facing problems. but do not under estimate them. Being a football fan i would consider your comment offensive to all football fans. I mean no offense here, its just i felt bad when you said that England is rubbish.
superbe hero always deserves.am liverpool fans and been supporting Spain all the way for the Euro 2008.cassilas,torres,senna,alonso,fabregas ,villa,xavi and all,but the great was Sergio Ramos(please change your mind to Liverpool)
no need Barry,Keane or whoever it is
Well done Spain! Great football, great team and a joy to watch.
Germany were beaten by the better side on the day but Germany played their part too in a fantastic championship which is why they got to the final. I'm not sure many other sides would have got past Portugal or even the Turks.
It was such an enjoyable football fest, especially for the rest of Britain other than England, because we didn't have to suffer all the over the top rubbish we normally would, like front page news about Rooney's big bloody feet, because the English were missing.
Look out for Spain for 2010 and don't write off the Germans either, as always.
But discount England because they are rubbish now and will still be in 2 years time.
I have no doubt yesterday Spain played like champions. They dominated game and Germans like anything, I like germany over spain but after watching yesterday match i really bad for my german fellows, we did not even try yesterday. Talk about communication amongst player, i guess it was missing in german brigade. I remember only one shot taken from German side that was taked by Ballack and other then this in the whole game Germany did not even give any fight to Spain. German player were looking tired in the first half, its like they have lost all the stamina somewhere on the other hand Spain was energetic, fast paced, i guess its time to change the germany's whole line up and bring younger player if they want to win or hope to win World cup now.
hiramgay23 you say.. and i quote "Arsenal won the Tournament.
Thanks to Jens and thanks to Fabregas.
Arsenal will rule the next years and All Trophies will come to Highbury!"
NEWSFLASH: Highbury doesn't exist, Arsenal now play at the Emerites Stadium and as for them winning all the trophies that's the best joke i have herd in my life, i laughed so much a little bit of pee came out. Rant over and congrats spain, I have been backing them since the group stages.
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