June 30, 2008

A BRILLIANT first-half goal from Fernando Torres gave Spain a deserved 1-0 victory over Germany and the European Championship title for the first time in 44 years.

Torres struck in the 33rd minute of the Euro 2008 final, running on to a Xavi through ball and sprinting around defender Philipp Lahm to dink a delicate shot past advancing Germany keeper Jens Lehmann.

Spain, playing the cultured football and swift inter-passing that has marked them as the most entertaining team in the tournament, carved out several other chances they could not convert.


“ For me, it's a dream come true
– Fernando Torres
” More Spain reaction In one of the most exciting finals in many years, Germany also looked dangerous on the counter-attack. It was Spain's first major title since winning the European Championship in 1964.

Spain seemed to start tentatively, and a mistake from Sergio Ramos gave Miroslav Klose a glorious opportunity after just four minutes, but after taking the ball past Carles Puyol his next touch was too strong and he ran the ball out of play.

Spain gradually started to settle but three-time champions Germany still had the next chance, Thomas Hitzlsperger hitting a tame shot straight at Spain captain Iker Casillas.

Just before the quarter-hour mark Jens Lehmann came to Germany's rescue as a cross from Andres Iniesta deflected off Christoph Metzelder's boot, and only a stunning reaction save from the Arsenal stopper prevented a goal.

Spain were starting to take control and Torres headed a Xavi free-kick over the bar.

On 23 minutes, Sergio Ramos cut in from the right and crossed to the back post where Torres climbed above the considerably taller Per Mertersacker; his downward header beat Lehmann but unfortunately for Spain not the base of the post.

Up the other end, Spain's slightly suspect defence was struggling to cope with the direct running of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski but Germany created little despite captain Michael Ballack's volley being blocked by Sergio Ramos.

“ It is very sad to lose when one has come such a long way
– Michael Ballack
” More Germany reaction Then, on 33 minutes, Torres put Spain ahead with a moment of sublime quality.

Having latched onto a piercing through ball from Xavi and outpaced Lahm, Torres could have threaded the eye of a needle with his chip-shot which beat Lehmann.

Spain were suddenly rampant and Iniesta crossed to the back post where the unmarked David Silva had a rush of blood to the head and lashed a volley wildly over.

Spain seemed brimming with confidence at the start of the second period and both Xavi and Silva went close with long-range efforts before Torres again outpaced the Germany defence but couldn't quite reach the ball before Lehmann came out to smother.

Germany coach Joachim Loew responded by sending on a second forward in Kevin Kuranyi to replace midfielder Hitzlsperger.

That immediately shifted the momentum of the game and on the hour a mistake from Puyol was almost punished as Ballack fired just wide; moments later Casillas came storming out of goal to take a cross from Ballack off Kuranyi's head.

Spain remained dangerous and Sergio Ramos forced Lehmann into a fine block with a powerful header from a Xavi free kick before Torsten Frings cleared a shot from Iniesta off the line.

Brazil-born Marcos Senna came within inches of settling the game in the final 10 minutes but he couldn't quite stretch his leg out far enough to meet substitute Daniel Guiza's downward header with the goal at his mercy.

Spain striker David Villa may not have played in the Euro 2008 final but he still finished up as leading scorer in the tournament with four.

The Valencia marksman, who was injured and unable to play, opened his account with a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Russia in the group stage and added another against Sweden, also in the first round.

The overall record is held by France legend Michel Platini - now president of UEFA - with nine in the 1984 edition which France won, beating Spain.

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