After a captivating tournament which has been elevated to the quality and refreshing and low in the dispute, tonight sees the culmination of a glorious Euro 2008 with a final assembly in Vienna between two of soccer's most powerful nations. Despite the undoubted individual excitements offered by the previous group and knockout stages, nothing can match the anticipation aroused by this encounter weather. For both teams and their players and what a privilege it offers a rare opportunity to write themselves in the folklore of their respective nations and in the annals of football history.
On paper the tie offers an intriguing clash of styles, ideologies and stereotypes: the pace, talent, enthusiasm and passion of the Spaniards against the sand, efficiency, determination and traditional cruelty of the Germans. We have a young team Spanish, desperate to redress a generations-old national discrepancy in the balance between the undoubted ability and winning titles, which have hardly been sufficient. And we have a German side, eager to demonstrate its capability to continue its tradition of sporting nation of triumph when we have the majority against a more fashionable, dashing and critically acclaimed opponent - an event that has already happened several Sometimes too often in the eyes of the romantic neutral.
There is, however, a shadow hangs over the preparations due to the possible absence through injury of two of the tournaments biggest stars. Spain David Villa forward, top scorer of the finals so far, is struggling with the thigh injury he picked up last week in 3-0 semi-final victory over Russia, while Germany captain Michael Ballack is also a doubt with a calf strain. Of the two is that Villa is worth the most doubtful to play, but Ballack injury could also rule him yet. It would be a bitter disappointment if the end was stolen from these two brilliant players,
Strike devastatingThe impression is that the absence of Ballack would be the most devastating blow to his team the chance of success, despite the objectives of the Villa. The Chelsea midfielder has been crucial to his side both on and off the pitch this summer, the brilliant performance in the quarter-final victory against Portugal and providing real leadership in the aftermath of the group stage of shock defeat of Croatia. In a team containing a mixture of young and promising solid experience is the established world-class player at the peak of his career. The coach Joachim Low must be praying that the positive noises coming out of the German chamber of treatment are well founded.
Germany were the pre-tournament favourites and the selection of many knowledgeable pundits before the final, but have been a model of inconsistency so far. Three good results against Poland, Austria and Portugal have been tempered by sad showing in their other two games. They paid the price for not turning in the intermediate group match against Croatia in the form of a well-deserved defeat, while in the semi-final against Turkey were a few very fortunate to win.
Much will depend, therefore, that Germany will become Vienna tonight. Those with decent memories will allude to the fact that this German team, like those of past generations, seem to thrive when underdogs, which undoubtedly are tonight, despite its own skinny pre-tournament odds.
After his fallibility was exposed in the group stages, no one expected the defeat to Portugal in the quarter-finals, but they did, and convincingly. Germany, and his predecessor as West Germany, have a history of upsetting the form book in big tournaments - look no further than the end of 1954 and 1974 World Cup tests. Both parties face the teams considered by the masses to be the legitimate winners, the proponents of football at its most dazzling style and form - and in both matches, against all odds, Germany emerged with the spoils. Tonight they face a similar dilemma in the form of a side that Spain had all of us to reach the superlatives after a scintillating second half performance against Russia last week in the semi-final.
Caution and Paranioa However, if the history book offers comfort to Germany for the Spanish fans are offered only prudence and paranoia. While the Germans are looking to expand its relevance to the Spanish will rip it is composed.
It has been well documented that the Spanish football has produced 25 winners of European club soccer competition first, yet has produced one national team, some 44 years ago, capable of winning a major trophy. Among Spain have been at one another grand finale, which lost to hosts France to 84 euros. To illustrate the historical difference between the two sides, this will be the thirteenth and final principal Germany, if victorious, his seventh title.
However, if the outbreak is left to only tonight, to a single football game on paper, then is German fans surely will be the wiser. This morning the major newspapers in Europe are full of comparisons between the two formations, with almost all of them give Spain a significant advantage in all positions. It's easy to see why.
In goal, Iker Casillas of Spain has been one of the stars of the tournament shifts, while his counterpart, Jens Lehmann, has looked beyond his best in 38 years of age.
Spain is defending combination of athletics, in the form of Sergio Ramos, strength and determination in the form of centre halves Puyol and Marchena, and unfussy, the position of collateral in the form of the left side, Joan Capdevila. On the side, possibly, the Germans are a group match for Spain, but the German association of central defender Mertesacker and Metzelder notoriously lacking pace and mobility. Their job tonight could be made easier by the absence of Villa Quicksilver, but the pace and power of Fernando Torres is likely to cause them a lot of problems. It is unlikely to be intimidated by the German pair, who compensate for their lack of pace with the size and strength.
Both teams are likely to start with a top forward, Torres with Spain and Germany with Miroslav Klose. Both players are first class, with Torres comes from a superb debut season in the English Premier League and a scorer Klose tested in more than one of the major tournaments in the past. Torres is undoubtedly the most industrious and versatile of the two, and he will throw in positions of great regularity to offer a way out and give space for Spain interchangeable attacking midfielders to exploit. With Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger to the Germans that offer greater width midfield enjoying Spain, Klose will play their normal game inhalation opportunities in and around the penalty area.
It is at the center of the field that Spain has won the majority of people's hearts, with the duo Barcelona Xavi and Iniesta effort complemented by Valencia David Villa. All three are gifted technically, blessed with great vision and offer a threat Goalscoring, and all are also more hard work that they are given credit. Behind them sits Villarreal's Marcos Senna, a contender for the unsung but most effective player throughout the competition, the insurance policy that allows the three most advanced midfielders to express opposition half.
In the likely absence of Villa, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas is likely to resume its role as a second striker behind Torres filled with such devastating effect in the second half of the semi-final. Despite starting only two games in his name is most people list as the star of the tournament so far, a turnover that could very well continue to cement a berth tonight from one of the biggest stages of all.
Therefore, much depends on the ability Ballack and his presence, or not, in the German midfield. Torsten Frings is a great companion to the captain and he will have to be at his best in the holding role to nullify the threat of Fabregas. The other midfielders faces the biggest game of his career so far. Podolski, a converted striker, has been effective but inconsistent in the left wing, with the same analysis applies to Schweinsteiger and Thomas Hitzlsperger. Of the three of them can be Schweinsteiger assume that most of the responsibility if Ballack has not made the starting signal. Only time will tell if his young shoulders are broad enough to carry him and the rest of his team.
"No one remembers the finalists" "I've told my players that no one remembers the finalists," Spain coach Luis Aragones told media on Friday.
Aragones, who will be 70 next month, was celebrating the move to Madrid athletics as a striker in the summer of 1964 when Spain won the past a major title. He is better equipped than most for putting into context of Spain shortage of success, and you're eligible if a man who has witnessed all the ups and downs in the Spanish football since his last title leads them to glory tonight.
"We face a Germany side who are very good and we can cause problems. They do not play a game as fluid but we are very good in the counterattack. We must also ensure them a set of pieces, but we will be ready. We will give our people something to celebrate after all this time in the desert. "
Germany coach Joachim Low is realistic about the threat posed by the Spanish midfielders, and acknowledges that his team are underdogs - something he can disconcert cree Spain. He emerged half-Jürgen Klinsmann's predecessor in the shadow of taking his team to the finals, and hope to leave behind him lifting the trophy permanently.
"Spain has been the best and most consistent in this team," said on Saturday.
"They seem to have no weaknesses and most of its players are accustomed to playing in the Champions League under pressure. We have not been at a high level permanently, but have shown signs of our class. Now we are in the final pressure is shut down. Spain is expected to win and we can enjoy more of them - this could work in our favor. "
Goalkeeper Brian Jensen Burnley was the hero as Chelsea crashed out of the Carling Cup on penalties at Stamford Bridge 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. 
