Euro 2008 Final: Spain vs Germany
Torres Scores but Fabregas is Key to European Championship
An exciting tournament to say the least, Euro ’08 was riddled with robust drama at every stage. From Dutch dominance in the group phase, to French failure, the “cardiac kids” of Turkey winning three games in a row via last gasp come-from-behind wins, and the rise of the brash Russians. All intriguing sub-plots, but in the end it was the confident power of the Germans against the fluid panache of the Spanish. They are two deserving teams with two very distinct soccer ideologies.
A clash of styles
Never ones for playing an overly attractive game, Germany have come to epitomize no-nonsense efficiency. Having won the European Championship a record 3 times with 3 World Cup’s to match, it is easy to see why their soccer is laced with assertive strength. Their opponents, in stark contrast have paved a different path. Spain has long been renowned for its plentiful talent and jaw dropping technical flare. Alas, with a single European title in 1964 they have been branded as arguably the greatest underachievers in soccer history. Thus the stage was set, underachievers vs. overachievers, skill vs. strength. A mouth watering final between two of the worlds top five teams in the world a fitting end to an action-packed tournament
Germany vs. Spain
Prior to the game much was made of the injuries to German stalwarts Michael Ballack (calf), Torsten Frings (ribs) and Spanish striker David Villa (thigh). Villa would be the only one omitted from his team’s line up. His absence would see the inclusion of Cesc Fabregas into the midfield leaving Spain to play with five midfielders and Fernando Torres as the lone striker. A formation they were comfortable with but had not used in several months and it showed.
The opening ten minutes was a power struggle of sorts. The Spanish were keen to secure dominance through possession but were visibly unsettled by their crowded midfield. Germany tried to capitalize on several misplayed passes through counter attacks up the wing to Lukas Podolski. In spite of their shaky passing the Spaniards remained patient and continued to impose their will through possession. Possession was the staple that brought the Spanish success in the group phase and it was no different in this game. Spain soon re-familiarized themselves with their formation and began to tear through the Germans with dizzying passes.
Fabregas’ is the key to Spanish success
The injection of Fabregas was the key factor in maximizing the already potent Spanish arsenal. First it added an offensive bite to the Spanish midfield from the beginning rather than late in the games he was previously substituted in. He was direct with passes to Torres early as was “el nino’s” forte. Fabregas further balanced the midfield allowing Iniesta and Silva to attack from a wide position. Iniesta in particular looked very dangerous on several penetrating runs into the German defense. Subsequently Sergio Ramos maintained a solid defensive role as he rarely made his usual runs up the wing.
Spain finish the game
Midway through the first half Torres hit the post on freakish header. That seemed the turning point as soon Spain was firing on all cylinders, slicing through the German defense at will. In the 33rd minute Xavi played a laser just ahead of an on running Phillip Lahm and Fernando Torres. Torres was a half step behind the German defender but brushed Lahm aside as he elegantly placed the ball past German Keeper Jens Lehmann. From then on Spain never looked back. They outclassed the Germans from beginning to end en route to a much deserved European Championship.
