Spain - Winners of Euro 2008
Torres' Goal defeats Germany in the Final of European Championships
Spain defeated Germany with a single goal to become Euro2008 Champions in Vienna, their first success for forty four years. They thoroughly deserved the success and were undoubtedly the team of the tournament, maintaining their form throughout both the group stages and the knock-out games.
In the past Spain have often shown outstanding form in the early group stages of both World Cups and European Championships only to disappoint in the latter knock-out games. However, throughout Euro2008, held in Austria and Switzerland, Spain displayed a confidence and skill that no other team could match.
Spain's Qualifying Difficulties:
While they have finished as Champions, Spain’s passage to the finals was initially beset with difficulties. In their qualifying group with Sweden and Northern Ireland, Spain lost two of their first three games, losing in both Belfast and Stockholm. This resulted in calls for the removal of Spain’s coach Luis Aragonés but he remained defiant and confident that he would lead his team to the Finals. He was proved correct as Spain qualified as group winners, dropping only two more points in the final nine games of the qualifying stages. They finished two points ahead of the other qualifiers, Sweden.
Group Stage Success:
In the group stages of the finals, Spain immediately showed their intent to make a major impression in the competition by defeating a highly respected Russia team in the opening game. A David Villa hat-trick gave them a 4-1 success and set the standard for the group. Two further wins over Greece and Sweden made them one of three teams to reach the knock-out stages undefeated.
Penaly Shoot-out Win over Italy:
In the first knock-out round they faced Italy who had struggled to qualify from their group, requiring a win from their final group match against France to avoid elimination. Italy made it difficult for Spain, defending resolutely and denying them time and space to play their intricate football. However, after remaining goalless throughout extra-time, Spain held their nerve to win 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out and be the only group winner to progress to that stage.
Semi-Final Success over Russia:
In the semi-final they were again paired with Russia who had recovered from their disappointing performance in the opening game to defeat the highly rated Netherlands team in the knock-out stage. However, in spite of losing leading goal scorer, David Villa with injury, Spain again proved too strong for them with a convincing three goal victory.
Germany in the Final:
In the Final in Vienna they met Germany who had reached that stage with a mixture of endeavour and good fortune, especially in the semi-final against a weakened Turkey team. Germany with three victories in the competition were looking to call on their tradition of success in important games, while Spain’s only success in the competition had been in 1964.
However, the Spanish side maintained the impressive form they displayed throughout the tournament and while they had only one first half goal from Fernando Torres to show for their efforts it was sufficient to make then champions of Europe for the second time. The goal came after twenty minutes when a pass fromCesc Fabregas enabled Fernando Torres to outpace Philipp Lahm and then lift the ball over the advancing Jens Lehmann. The move highlighted the speed of the Spanish team and the poor defensive play of the Germans. While Germany tried to raise their game to put Spain under pressure, the Spanish side were always in control.
The Spaniards deserved the win for the style and flair of their football throughout the tournament and this Spanish side showed the determination and composure that previous Spanish sides have lacked. A thoroughly deserves victory.
