Euro 2008 final: Germany v Spain

This is it. Germany v Spain. One of the most exciting football tournaments in recent memory is set for an almighty climax.The form:Joachim Low's Germany had to squeeze a victory out of their final group match against co-hosts Austria to guarantee a passage into the last eight. What followed were two rollercoaster 3-2 wins over much-fancied Portugal, in the quarter-finals, and a gutsy Turkey in their semi-final encounter.Luis Aragones' Spain have reached their first major final since 1984 and have won every single game en route to their showdown against the Germans. They have scored in every match except against the stingy Italians in the last eight. Arguably, their best performance came in their second encounter against a vastly-improved Russia in the semi-final.The key players:Germany's best players over the last fortnight have been defender Philipp Lahm, who scored a cracker against Turkey, and midfielders Torsten Frings and captain Michael Ballack. Lukas Podolski has chipped in with three goals and both himself and Miroslav Klose will be a threat.Spain's and the tournament's top scorer to date, David Villa, is out with a thigh injury so it looks as if Liverpool hot-shot Fernando Torres will have the scoring responsibilities resting on his young shoulders. He has great support, with Andres Iniesta, Xavi, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas producing the sort of high-quality displays reminiscent of the French midfield of Euro 84.All to play for, so who's your money on?

Spanish players celebrate after winning the Euro 2008 championships

Spanish players celebrate after winning the Euro 2008 championships final football match against Germany on June 29, 2008 at Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria. Spain ended their 44-year wait for a major international title with a 1-0 victory over Germany at the Euro 2008 final. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE -- MOBILE SERVICES OUT -- (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos holds the Euro 2008 championships trophy

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos holds the Euro 2008 championships trophy after winning the final football match against Germany on June 29, 2008 at Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria. Spain ended their 44-year wait for a major international title with a 1-0 victory over Germany at the Euro 2008 final. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO -- MOBILE SERVICES OUT -- (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images)

Spain wins first major in 44 years.

VIENNA, Austria (AP)—A big-game flop no more, Spain won the European Championship 1-0 over Germany on Sunday for its first major title in 44 years.
Fernando Torres scored in the 33rd minute and the Spaniards never backed down against such a formidable opponent. Their last significant title came in the 1964 Euros at home.
“It is a privilege to be in the national team and live through the most beautiful moment of getting the cup,” Torres said. “It will be good not only for Spain, but also for football because the team that played best won.”
In beating a team that makes a habit of appearing in championship finals, the Spaniards put to rest a reputation for underachieving. Always loaded with talented players, Spain has spent four decades falling short of expectations.
That all changed at these Euros, where the Spaniards swept their first-round games, eliminated World Cup champion Italy in a penalty-kicks shootout in the quarterfinals, then routed Russia 3-0 in the semifinals.
“We have won in a brilliant way,” coach Luis Aragones said. “We will be able to start saying we can win, a European championhip as well as any other thing.”

Spain Euro2008 champion.

Torres strike ends Spain's long wait
Germany 0-1 SpainA first-half strike from Fernando Torres earned Spain a first UEFA European Championship crown in 44 years.

Spain have been crowned European champions for the second time as Fernando Torres's first-half goal in Vienna proved enough to defeat Germany in the final of UEFA EURO 2008™.
History an inspirationSpain won their only previous piece of silverware in this competition in 1964 and had not been beyond the quarter-finals of any competition in 24 years, yet Luis Aragonés's men have chosen to use that history as an inspiration rather than a burden. After a strong start from Germany, seeking a fourth title themselves, Spain were the more dangerous side throughout an entertaining final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion although it took just one goal – in the 33rd minute, courtesy of Torres's pace, perseverance and an unerring finish – to end their long wait.
Ballack boostGermany received a significant boost before kick-off with captain Michael Ballack included despite a much-publicised calf problem and, perhaps buoyed by that news, Joachim Löw's team settled quickly. Much had been made of the contrast in styles between the two sides yet in the opening exchanges it was Germany whose passing looked crisper, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Hitzlsperger failing to make the most of glimpses of goal while Spain, shorn of four-goal leading striker David Villa due to a thigh injury, struggled to find their feet in a new 4-5-1 formation in which Cesc Fàbregas was rewarded for a fine semi-final display with a starting place.
Instinctive stopAs an indicator of the pattern of the match, however, Germany's bright start proved misleading. Spain soon worked their way into the contest, with Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann – becoming, at 38, the oldest player to appear in a UEFA European Championship final – forced into action for the first time in the 14th minute. Although his instinctive save came when his own defender, Christoph Metzelder, inadvertently deflected Andrés Iniesta's cross towards his own goal, Xavi Hernández's fine through-pass had unpicked the Germany defence and showed the Spanish were finding their feet.
Torres on targetRight-back Sergio Ramos was then allowed to cut inside and deliver a deep cross, Torres peeling away from Per Mertesacker to create space for the header only for the right-hand post to come to Lehmann's rescue. The warning signs were there for Germany, yet they failed to heed them and duly fell behind three minutes past the half-hour. Again Xavi was the architect, playing a pass in behind the Germany defence towards Torres, who outmuscled a hesitant Philipp Lahm and clipped the ball over the diving Jens Lehmann and just inside the far post. David Silva then volleyed over Iniesta's cross when given time and space inside the area as Spain threatened to increase their lead.
Spain openingsSpain had more openings in the early stages of the second half, Lehmann getting the merest of touches to Xavi's low shot before Ramos nearly guided in Silva's drive from the resulting corner. Yet a warning of the threat Germany still posed arrived on the hour, substitute Marcell Jansen and Bastian Schweinsteiger combining for Ballack to shoot centimetres wide. Klose then deflected a Schweinsteiger effort past the post and in response to Germany’s renewed menace Spain coach Luis Aragonés promptly introduced Xabi Alonso and Santi Cazorla in place of Fàbregas and Silva. The switches reinvigorated Spain instantly, Lehmann making sharp stops from Ramos and Iniesta while Torsten Frings blocked another Iniesta effort on the line.
Wild celebrationsAs the final moved into the last 20 minutes, Spain had had seven shots on goal to Germany's one, yet with Germany having turned virtually one in two of their efforts on target into goals ahead of the final, that was scant consolation to Aragonés and his side. In the event Spain continued to carve out chances as the match reached its conclusion, Marcos Senna narrowly failing to apply the finishing touch to an unselfish header from substitute Daniel Güiza – but the celebrations would not be delayed much longer.

Spain Win The Match.

It’s been 44 years, but Spain has finally broken the jinx, and perhaps shed the label “Choke Artists” as well.
La Furia Roja beat Germany 1-0 on the back of a single Fernando Torres goal. Congratulations, Spain!

Germany – Spain: final preview

Germany – Spain: final preview
Spain vs Germany, Germany vs Spain. The last match of this EURO Cup will be played at Stadion Tivoli NEU, in Innsbruck, Austria.Talking about history, Germany doesn’t “lose” any historical head-to-head. In that case, the stats says that The Mannschaft have won eight matches against Spain and tied six times. Spain won five meetings.The Iberians won the first one, held in Köln. Germany have won four of last 10 matches, while Spain won two.

All matches since 1935

12.02.2003 Palma de Mallorca (SPA) Spain - Germany 3:1 (1:1)

16.08.2000 Hannover Germany - Spain 4:1 (1:0)

22.02.1995 Jerez de la Frontera (SPA) Spain - Germany 0:0 (0:0)World Cup

21.06.1994 Chicago (USA) Germany - Spain 1:1 (0:1)EURO

17.06.1988 München (GER) Germany - Spain 2:0 (1:0)

15.10.1986 Hannover (GER) Germany - Spain 2:2 (0:1)EURO

20.06.1984 Paris (FRA) Germany - Spain 0:1 (0:0)World Cup

02.07.1982 Madrid (SPA) Germany - Spain 2:1 (0:0)EURO

22.05.1976 München (GER) Germany - Spain 2:0 (2:0)EURO

24.04.1976 Madrid (ESP) Spain - Germany 1:1 (1:0)

23.02.1974 Barcelona (SPA) Spain - Germany 1:0 (1:0)

24.11.1973 Stuttgart (GER) Germany - Spain 2:1 (2:0)

11.02.1970 Sevilla (SPA) Spain - Germany 2:0 (2:0)World Cup

20.07.1966 Birmingham (ENG) Germany - Spain 2:1 (1:1)

19.03.1958 Frankfurt (GER) Germany - Spain 2:0 (1:0)

28.12.1952 Madrid (SPA) Spain - Germany 2:2 (1:2)

12.04.1942 Berlin (GER) Germany - Spain 1:1 (0:0)

23.02.1936 Barcelona (SPA) Spain - Germany 1:2 (1:1)

12.05.1935 Köln (GER) Germany - Spain 1:2 (1:2)