Euro 2008: Viva Espana!

A review of the much anticipated football final.

At last, after 44 long years, Spain has broken the spell of being a nearly team that inevitably loses out, at best, in the quarter-finals.

Fernando Torres’ 33rd minute goal sealed their win in the final against a very average German side. Spain was without a doubt the best team; they had the best chances and they kept the ball better throughout the game.

Speaking of spells that need breaking, Michael Ballack, once again, came so close, yet so far. The Chelsea midfielder has been a runner-up in two Champions League finals, one League Cup final, one World Cup semi-final (and was suspended from another final due to two yellow cards), two Premier Leagues, one German Cup, one Bundesliga, and now, a European Championship final.

In truth, this was a one-sided affair in which the score line doesn’t do justice to the new European champions. Spain had chance after chance, though sometimes they tried to score the perfect goal. In contrast, Germany hardly fashioned a worthwhile opportunity. Indeed, their usual strong point of set-pieces, were shocking. Hardly any cross was met by a German head or foot. Iker Casillas punched or caught the majority of the balls that came into his box, though the defenders performed aptly in that respect also.

Germany actually began the game the better; Ballack and Scweinsteiger had chances, though as the first half wore on, Spain came into the game and began to dominate. Xavi and Iniesta were particularly brilliant, and Torres was always dangerous, and well-deserved to score the winner.

Just after the half hour and only a few minutes after he hit the post with a header, Torres was put through, outpaced Phillip Lahm, and lifted the ball over the advancing Jens Lehmann. Lehmann must be criticised for coming and not getting the ball, but praise must also be lavished upon Torres for his strength, pace and sublime finish. From then on, there was a sense of inevitability about the game; Spain were comfortable and just like the semi-final against Russia, went from strength to strength after scoring the opener.

In the second half, Germany were poorer still and Spain was simply stunning. The Germans had a ten minute spell around the hour mark, which began with Kevin Kuranyi replacing Thomas Hitzelsberger. Kuranyi had a good chance early on but didn’t really do anything. David Silva could have been sent off for a head butt on Lukas Podolski, the Valencia man getting the rub of green. It was that kind of night; you could almost feel Spain was going to win it.

All the pre-match hubbub was about Cesc Fabregas starting, and he did, but was ineffective. He was taken off, along with Torres in the second half and will surely be disappointed with his contribution after a much-vaunted build-up. The Arsenal midfielder is surely a great player but it wasn’t his night. Torres, though, can yet again feel annoyed to not finish a game at these finals.

From 70 minutes on, Spain was just scintillating. Marcos Senna had the best chance after beginning a move and was just inches from scoring after substitute Dani Guiza’s knock down. They had chance after chance and despite being in front, threw men forward with aplomb. They won corners and free-kicks, and were comfortable in general.

The game disappointed and did not match the standards of some of the classics we’ve seen in this wonderful tournament. It was not the free-flowing, end-to-end affair that we came to expect from this competition. The Spanish were worthy winners and I’d like to congratulate them on winning, and winning well.

By: Ciarán Leinster