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Euro glory for Spain
Solitary Torres strike ends 44-year wait
By Peter Fraser
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Torres: Match-winner (skysports.com)
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Spain ended their 44-year wait
for international glory as they defeated Germany 1-0 in the final of Euro
2008 at Ernst Happel stadium.
Luis Aragones announced prior to this summer's tournament that he was
to step down as Spain boss at its conclusion and he is set to go out on
a high as Fernando Torres struck to secure Spain's first piece of silverware
since the 1964 European Championship.
A thrilling Euro 2008 was crying out for an entertaining final to end
proceedings in Austria and Switzerland and both sides played their part
in an enthralling encounter in Vienna.
Pre-tournament favourites and final specialists Germany enjoyed the better
of the opening minutes, but Spain - often tagged as underachievers - then
began to dominate possession and Torres gave his side the lead on 33 minutes.
In the second half, Germany midfielder Michael Ballack volleyed his side's
best chance just wide of Spain's near post, but Aragones's side were always
comfortable as they deservedly ended almost half-a-century of waiting
for success.
Ahead of kick-off, Germany were boosted by the news that Ballack was fit
to play after recovering sufficiently from the calf injury which had prevented
him from training on Friday or Saturday.
Spain, appearing in their first major final since the 1984 European Championship,
opted to name Cesc Fabregas as the replacement for injured striker David
Villa, who damaged a thigh muscle in the 3-0 semi-final win over Russia,
as Liverpool forward Torres played in a lone attacking role.
Germany had sneaked through Group B after finishing runners up to Croatia,
but Portugal were then soundly sunk in the quarter-finals before a dramatically
late victory over Turkey booked a final date.
Hard-fought
But Germany's hard-fought route to the final did not show as they forced
the issue in the opening 10 minutes and striker Miroslav Klose should
have done better when through on goal after collecting a loose pass from
Spain defender Sergio Ramos.
Joachim Low's side appeared to have highlighted right full-back Ramos
as the weak link in Spain's rearguard as attacks were focused upon the
Real Madrid man and Thomas Hitzlsperger tested Iker Casillas from range.
Meanwhile, Spain - who strolled through Group D before world champions
Italy were sent packing on penalties in the last eight and group rivals
Russia were comprehensively beaten for a second time in the semi-finals
- were refusing to abandon their passing principals.
And on 15 minutes it almost reaped dividends as Germany centre-back Christoph
Metzelder deflected an Andres Iniesta cross towards his own goal and shot-stopper
Jens Lehmann was forced into a reflex save to tip behind for a corner.
Aragones' side were beginning to settle and seven minutes later Torres,
who appeared to be relishing his isolated role, climbed above Per Mertesacker
to head a Ramos cross against the base of the German post with Lehmann
beaten.
Torres then made Spain's pressure count on 33 minutes as he showed too
much pace and power for Germany left-back Philipp Lahm to latch on to
a precise ball from Xavi before executing a brilliantly cute finish past
the on-rushing Lehmann.
Almost immediately after, David Silva could have doubled Spain's lead
as he met an Iniesta cross at the far post but the Valencia man volleyed
well over the bar.
Things continued to go from bad to worse for Germany as a visibly frustrated
Ballack was twice forced off after splitting his eyebrow in an aerial
collision with Marcos Senna, and the Chelsea star also received a booking
from Italian referee Roberto Rosetti after a scuffle with Fabregas and
Carles Puyol shortly before half-time.
Failure
Lahm paid the price for his defensive failings as he was replaced by Marcell
Jansen at the interval and the change seemed to boost Low's side as they
began the second half in a bright style akin to the first 45 minutes.
However, three-time winners Germany were struggling to disrupt a solid
central defensive partnership of Puyol and Carlos Marchena and Spain continued
to look the more dangerous in attack as Silva and Torres both had chances
to extend the lead.
The fact that his side appeared a little toothless was not lost on Low
as the peripheral Hitzlsperger made way for Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi
and the change almost paid off as Ballack ruffled Spain's side-netting
with a volley from the edge of the area on 60 minutes.
Germany's confidence was buoyed and Aragones responded by introducing
the more defensively-minded Xabi Alonso in place of Fabregas.
Tempers began to raise their heads and Silva was fortunate to avoid a
red card after what looked like a head-butt on Lukas Podolski and Aragones
wisely opted to replace his player with Santi Cazorla.
Spain appeared to have survived Germany's revival and Ramos should have
headed his side's second goal when in acres of space at a Xavi free-kick,
but his effort was saved by 38-year-old Lehmann.
Germany brought on Mario Gomez for Klose, but Low's side seemed to have
run out of ideas as Spain, who replaced Torres with Daniel Guiza, threatened
on the counter-attack.
Spain could have had a second as Senna went close to prodding in Guiza's
knockdown, but one goal proved to be comfortably enough as referee Rosetti's
final whistle sparked wild celebrations and Casillas lifted the Euro 2008
trophy.
Skysports.com,
29 June 2008
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