Spain ended their 44-year trophy drought by defeating Germany 1-0 with a Fernando Torres goal and are crowned champions of Europe.

Two completely different schools of football went head to head in Vienna for the European Championship. Spain were the favourites after winning all their games, albeit needing penalties to see off Italy in the quarter-final, but had not won silverware since 1964 and their last major Final was 24 years ago. Germany went into a record sixth Euro Final and have proved their mental toughness on more than one occasion.

Top scorer David Villa was out of action due to a thigh strain, so Cesc Fabregas came in to adopt a more creative and packed midfield. Michael Ballack passed a last-minute fitness test to start despite a calf problem. Torsten Frings returned to the starting XI after recovering from a broken rib.

There was an early scare after three minutes when a poor Sergio Ramos backpass was intercepted by Miroslav Klose, but the Bayern Munich man was unable to make the most of this gift. Thomas Hitzlsperger had a tame shot from the left flank as it was all Germany early on with Iker Casillas dealing with some corner kicks.

However, it was nearly an own goal at the other end when a brilliant through ball found Andres Iniesta, it ricocheted off Christoph Metzelder and forced a fantastic reaction save out of Jens Lehmann.

A hopeful Xavi Hernandez free kick over the wall was easily gathered and Per Mertesacker did well to stand his ground and cut short a dangerous Fernando Torres counter.

Spain were visibly improving with every minute and should have scored on 22 minutes. Torres got behind Mertesacker for a towering header that cracked against the base of the near post! As the move continued, Capdevila blasted wide.

Germany wanted a penalty for Sergio Ramos’ handling offence to block a Ballack volley, but replays showed he made contact with his ribcage. Lukas Podolski wasted a promising opportunity when he hesitated with his weaker right foot, then another clearer handling offence by Marcos Senna was waved on.

A Fabregas strike was smothered by Lehmann, but the German defence’s utter howler handed Spain the opener on 33 minutes! Lehmann came rushing out low to gather the Fabregas pass, but Torres anticipated both the shot-stopper and Philipp Lahm to flick it over Lehmann into an empty net.

Moments later Iniesta set up a great chance for David Silva, who shinned it over with only the goalkeeper to beat. To make matters worse, Germany went down to 10 men momentarily as Ballack was left bleeding after an accidental knock to the eyebrow from Senna.

Bastian Schweinsteiger horribly wasted a free kick, while Silva’s first touch sent a good through ball out for a goal kick. Ballack got into a tussle with Casillas and Carles Puyol, with both the Chelsea and Real Madrid men booked. Spain continued to threaten on the counter as Iniesta was charged down for a corner.

Inevitably, Joachim Low had to make a change and Marcell Jansen replaced Lahm at left-back. It made little difference to a shaky defence and Lehmann got a fingertip to Xavi’s shot across the face of goal. The resulting corner fell to Silva, whose effort was nearly flicked in off Sergio Ramos. Spain almost performed a replica of the first goal, but this time Lehmann managed to scramble hold of the ball just before Torres could connect.

Time was running out and Low threw on striker Kevin Kuranyi for the disappointing midfielder Hitzlsperger. Sergio Ramos’ cross flashed past everyone and the back post, but Germany finally woke up and had a great scoring opportunity as Ballack’s low drive skimmed a coat of paint off the base off the upright from Schweinsteiger’s assist.

There was a curious moment with Torres down after a knock, but the referee did not stop play and Schweinsteiger went over to the Liverpool striker with the ball to his feet and tried to pick him up! Play continued anyway and as the move progressed Kuranyi just failed to get his head to a dangerous Ballack cross.

Schweinsteiger went on the counter with three against three, but his shot came off teammate Klose for a goal kick. Luis Aragones also made a change, adopting a 4-1-4-1 with Juventus target Xabi Alonso replacing Fabregas.

Germany were furious with Italian referee Roberto Rosetti, as Podolski appeared to be butted lightly when he went head-to-head with Silva, but the officials did not take action. Understanding the risk that had been run, Aragones replaced him with Santi Cazorla.

The Germans were uncharacteristically disastrous at defending from a free kick, as Sergio Ramos was totally unmakred and his free header palmed out by Lehmann. From the corner Frings had to clear off the line from Iniesta’s eight-yard effort.

Santi Cazorla threaded through for Iniesta again clear on goal and tested the ‘keeper. At the other end Casillas punched away a Frings free kick and Torres was carded for an elbow on Mertesacker.

Torres skipped past Mertesacker moments later, but his touch was too heavy and allowed Lehmann to gather. Spain had a flowing counter-attack only for Torres to see both crosses charged down. It was Torres’ final contribution, as he made way for Roma transfer target Daniel Guiza. Germany made their final change with Klose replaced by Mario Gomez, who has had a disastrous tournament up until now.

Spain would have made it 2-0 with nine minutes left had Senna been able to make contact with Guiza’s cutback, but he was at full stretch with the goal gaping from five yards! Xavi curled a free kick over and Kuranyi saw yellow for a clumsy challenge on Senna. Gomez ruined a good chance by barging into Capdevila in the final minute, but Spain were celebrating at the final whistle.
Germany: Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm (Jansen 46); Frings, Hitzlsperger (Kuranyi 58); Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Podolski; Klose (Gomez 78)

Spain: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila; Senna; Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas (Alonso 63), Silva (Santi Cazorla 66); Torres (Guiza 78)

Ref: Rosetti (Ita)

Ref From channel4.com

It’s exuberance versus experience, the nearly-rans against the winning mentality, as Spain or Germany will lift the European Championship trophy on Sunday.

The history behind these two teams going into the Euro 2008 Final could not be more different. The Furia Roja have just one piece of silverware in their entire trophy cabinet – the 1964 European Championship – and have not reached the Final since 1984. The Germans are the most successful side in this tournament and play the decider for the sixth time, having won in 1972, ’80 and ’96.

Their styles of football are also in sharp contrast, although for all Germany’s pragmatism they have scored 10 goals in the previous five games and won the knockouts against Portugal and Turkey by a 3-2 result. Joachim Low’s men have been unusually shaky at the back, although the entire squad has improved since switching to a lone striker system and leaving the unfortunate Mario Gomez on the bench. The versatility of Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger means they can take wide positions and cause serious problems for opposition lines.

Spain may also be forced to adopt a similar tactic, as top scorer David Villa is out of action. The Valencia star limped off during their 3-0 semi-final victory over Russia after taking a free kick caused a small tear in the back of his right thigh. “I’m a little sad that I won’t be there to take part but it’s better that a teammate who is fit plays instead of me, particularly as my injury has left me limping quite badly,” said the man who has bagged four goals.

There are two options open to Luis Aragones, as although Daniel Guiza has proven himself on this stage with two goals coming off the bench, the impact that Cesc Fabregas had on the semi-final cannot be underestimated. The Arsenal midfielder replaced Villa after that injury and went on to set up two of Spain’s three goals against Russia. Considering the strength of Germany’s midfield, having Fabregas there could be the key. Bearing in mind also that Andres Iniesta is not in great shape and has looked sluggish so far, we could see Juventus transfer target Xabi Alonso step in.

Low does not have changes forced upon him, but he may well consider them anyway following the disappointing performance in the semi-final. Turkey were extremely unfortunate to go out 3-2 in stoppages to Philipp Lahm’s clincher and it will take a considerable step up in form to stop Spain. Simon Rolfes is likely to make way for Torsten Frings, who had failed a fitness test due to his broken rib ahead of that game only to come on for the second half anyway as Rolfes got a nasty knock to the head. Thomas Hitzlsperger also looks certain to be in the starting line-up in Vienna, as he was the one who set up Lahm’s dramatic winner.

The concerns are at the back, where Germany have been wobbly throughout the campaign. Jens Lehmann was far from blameless against Turkey and his confidence may have been hit, while there is precious little mobility from centre-backs Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker. When Fernando Torres and Fabregas are running at them, it’ll take every ounce of German calm to avoid pressing the panic button.

Euro 2008 has been dramatic and unpredictable from start to finish, so this Final looks set to be no different.

Key clash: Fernando Torres v Christoph Metzelder
These two have already battled many times in the Madrid derby, though Torres has developed his game in the last year at Liverpool. Real Madrid’s Metzelder is Germany’s man on the inside, having seen most of Spain’s players from close up and identifying their weaknesses, but he is not the world’s fastest full-back and so far his team’s defence has not impressed.

Italian connection
Spain progressed past the quarter-final stage thanks to a victory on penalties against Italy. That was also the only game they have not won in 90 minutes and in which they have failed to score. Although none of the squad members play in Italy, that could soon change. Xabi Alonso has been on the verge of joining Juventus for several weeks, while the Bianconeri are sending representatives to this Final to watch Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski. Luca Toni has said he is now cheering on Germany for his Bayern Munich teammates, but Fabio Cannavaro is a Real Madrid man on the other side of that divide.

Did You Know..
David Villa could become the first player since Marco Van Basten in 1988 to be both top scorer and the recipient of a winners’ medal.

Germany go into their record sixth European Championship Final, but there is a curious trend. They won in 1972, ’80 and ’96, losing the last clash in the ‘between’ campaigns of 1976 and ’92. If that continues, they are due a defeat in 2008.

The only Spanish triumph was when they were hosting the tournament in 1964 and saw off the USSR 2-1 in Madrid thanks to a late Marcelino strike.

Luis Aragones would be the oldest ever Coach to lift the trophy, aged 69 years and 337 days.

The Mannschaft have won three of their five meetings with Spain in major tournaments, but lost a friendly fixture 3-1 in February 2003. Germany have not beaten the Iberians since a 4-1 thrashing in August 2000.

Spain are the only group winners to get past the quarter-finals and could be the first side since 1984 to win the trophy after a 100 per cent record in the opening phase. France took that victory by beating Spain in the Final.
Germany (probable): Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm; Hitzlsperger, Frings; Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Podolski; Klose

Spain (probable): Casillas; Capdevila, Marchena, Puyol, Sergio Ramos; Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Senna; Silva, Fabregas; Torres

Ref: Rosetti (Ita)

Ref From channel4.com

Michael Ballack shattered Austria’s dreams of making the quarter-finals with a spectacular second half free kick.

The 31-year-old attacking midfielder broke the deadlock after 49 minutes, unleashing a rocket from all of 30 yards, which goalkeeper Jurgen Macho was helpless to prevent.

The game will be remembered, however, for the mishaps of Mannschaft striker Mario Gomez, who managed to miss an open goal earlier in the game.

The Stuttgart forward received a ball from the right, two yards in front of the net, which he spooned with considerable aplomb.

It is likely to be the last we see of Gomez this summer after a hat trick of unconvincing performances.

The Austrians as a whole were a pitiful attacking force. Their best chance fell to captain Andreas Ivanschitz whose shot was parried away.

Germany began the game nervously and appeared to curb their attacking instincts, as if playing for a draw.

Coach Joachim Löw’s strategy proved to be a risky one. His side appeared tense and were guilty of giving the ball away on several occasions.

Luckily for them, the Austrians, as so often this June, were unable to take advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses.

Despite showing real attacking pedigree against the Poles, Josef Hickersberger’s men only burst through the German defensive wall once.

Erwin ‘Jimmy’ Hoffer found himself through on goal, but disappointed his public with a heavy first touch, which took the ball and the chance away from him.

The frustration was palpable and evident in the reactions of the two tacticians who were both sent to the stands before the half time whistle.

Löw’s dismissal appeared to charge the Germans who left their dressing room at half time a changed team.

Gone was the lethargic demeanour that characterised their first 45 minutes and out came a purposeful, more threatening Mannschaft.

That attitude was embodied in the marauding runs of Philipp Lahm, who won the free kick that led to Michael Ballack’s goal.

The Austrians bulging net dampened the atmosphere in the stadium and the crowd were then treated to the death throes of the co-hosts who launched long ball after long ball into the German box.

They were futile and the final whistle could not come soon. Germany will play Portugal in the quarter-finals.
Austria: Macho; Stranzl, Pogatetz, Hiden (Leitgeb 55), Garics; Ivanschitz, Aufhauser (Samuel 63), Harnik (Kienast 67), Fuchs; Korkmaz, Hoffer

Germany: Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm; Fritz (Borowski 90), Frings, Ballack, Podolski (Neuville 83); Gomez (Hitzlsperger 60), Klose

Ref: Mejuto Gonzalez (Spa)

Ref From channel4.com