FERNANDO TORRES fired Spain to Euro 2008 glory to banish their tag of tournament bottlers. The Liverpool speedster linked up with Xavi to score a memorable first-half strike and sink the Germans in Vienna. And after 31 games in Austria and Switzerland, Europes football fraternity got the final they deserved. Both sides enjoyed chances galore, with Torres sweet chipped finish ending 44 years without an international trophy.
Going into the game Germany were able to call on skipper Michael Ballack after the Chelsea midfielder shrugged off a calf problem. For Spain, striker David Villa failed to recover from the knock he picked up in the semi-final win over Russia, with Cesc Fabregas replacing him. And it was Germany who got out of the blocks first with some early pressure.
Carles Puyol was forced into a last-ditch tackle five minutes in, with Miroslav Klose powering through after an error by Sergio Ramos. But Luis Aragones side rode the storm and on 14 minutes forced a stunning save from Jens Lehmann with their first genuine attack. A great through ball from Xavi found Andres Iniesta, whose cross cannoned off Christoph Metzelder and was tipped wide off the line. Fernando Torres then came closer still on 22 minutes, heading the ball against the post from a cross by the marauding Ramos. Italian referee Roberto Rosetti was then forced into his first decision two minutes later, with the Ballack's volley crashing against Ramos in the box.
The Real Madrid defenders arms were raised, but the ball slammed against his side and the calls for a spot kick were turned down. Torres then broke the deadlock on 33 minutes, after great work from Marcos Senna before an inch-perfect through ball by Xavi. The Liverpool ace burst past Philipp Lahm, before dinking the ball over Lehmann for the opener. Germany were then down to 10 men, with Ballack off the field following a clash of heads with Senna.
And the bloodied Ballack returned with fire in his belly, getting involved in some handbags with Puyol before half time. Lahm was made to pay for the error in Torres opener, with boss Joachim Low hauling off the left-back for the second half in favour of Marcell Jansen. The change didnt revive the Germans, with Xavi forcing another great save from Lehmann with a low drive. And Ramos nearly flicked his side to a 2-0 lead from the resulting corner, with a cheeky backheel that went wide. Torres continued to pester with his pace, with another through ball sending him close. Ballack came within in a whisker of bringing his side back into it on 59 minutes, with a volley from the edge of the box going just wide. Germany then started to press, with Bastian Schweinsteiger seeing his effort crash off a defender.
That effort forced Aragones into a change, with Fabregas taken off of for Xabi Alonso. And seconds later the game blew up when Lukas Podolski squared up to David Silva. The Spanish winger appearing to deliberately clash heads, and was swiftly substituted to avoid an unnecessary red. Play then went up the other end, with Ramos forcing a smart save from Lehmann when he should really have scored. On 78 minutes Torres became sub No3 for the Spanish, with Daniel Guiza his replacement. And seconds later the Mallorca frontman nearly set up a crucial second, with his header across goal falling agonisingly short for the outstretched Senna. Germany then pressed in the dying moments, Spain offering more on the break before referee Rossetti blew up to spark wild celebrations.
CESC FABREGAS believes Spain's young guns have the all-round quality to dominate international football. The midfielder played a pivotal role in 1-0 final win over Germany, as Spain became European champions for the first time since 1964.
And speaking after the game, Fabregas believes the tournament was won by the team that played the best football. He said: "This the greatest day of my life. 44 years on and we have done it again. This is one the best trophies you can have and it is one of your dreams. "It was a long time since a team of that quality, trying to get the ball on the ground and play beatufiul football, went on to glory.
"Now we have made it and you can how young we are we can no go onto to fight for the World Cup in two years time." Match-winner Fernando Torres, who has never lifted silverware in his club career, echoed the sentiments of his team-mate. He added: "Its a dream come true. Its our first title together and we hope it will be the first of many."
JOACHIM LOEW was full of praise for the Spanish after their 1-0 in Euro 2008 final victory. The German boss could only look on as his side were shot down by a stunning effort from Fernando Torres. And speaking after the game, Loew had nothing but admiration for the style of football on display. He said: "Spain played very well during whole tourrnament and they were technically excellent they fully deserve victory.
We lost today, we acknowledge this. It will be an incentive to work hard over the next two years to improve so that we can play for the World Cup. The Spaniards were constantly good throughout the tournament, the technically had a very high quality. "They always play in the Champions League at the highest possible level and they are very committed to high quality. "Torres, of course, is very dangerous. We known about this player for two to three years. We knew that he is very fast and very good.
German skipper Michael Ballack, who fought back from a calf injury to make the starting side, bemoaned a lack of firepower on the night. He added: "We had a great tournament, but made one mistake too many. We were lacking of power against a great Spanish team, we couldnt keep up with them.
Hivi dogo CR mbona kimya tena au ndio kusema Real wameshindwa vunja benki kwa kulipa hizo pound 80mil?Yule alikuwa anatiwa fitina na kocha wake wa taifa aondoke England kwa sasa hana jinsi zaidi ya kukubali matokeo na kubaki Old Trafold kuendeleZa libeneke lake.Adui muombee njaa
You will win ''nothing'' in final games as far as Michael Ballack is your teamate!!!
Congrats Spain..sure they deserve it...!!!,
Tuonane kwenye jukwaa la usajili wa next season!!
Kumbukumbu;
...Manda Chelsea wangekumbuka huu wosia wako!!!
BTW, Jamani eeh, hivi huyu mwanadada HOLLO amepotelea wapi??? ni mwaka mmoja sasa tangu alipo post hapa jamvini kwa mara ya mwisho!
Belinda Jacob amerithi mikoba, lakini Hollo naye angekuwepo naona burudani ingekuwa aaarrgg , tosha!!!