"Spain triumph"

Spain claimed his first major title for 44 years after winning Euro 2008 with a 1-0 victory over Germany.

Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game when chipped over Jens Lehmann but the 1-0 scoreline hardly reflect the true nature of a contest in which Spain were in complete control throughout.

Germany simply had no answer to the oppression exercised in the center of the field by the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Silva and Senna, who combined to provide a measure of finesse and agility that neither side in the tournament could match . With the defensive security underpinned by reliable Casillas and a potent front line composed of Torres and Villa, Luis Aragno coach has done what many of his predecessors had failed to achieve: namely, a mixture of a group of prominent individuals into a formidable team . Now steps down, mission accomplished.

Spain started the game patient in his possession but it was Germany who led the initial threat, particularly by the left flank, where Lukas Podolski and Philip Lahm is combined well and it causes problems for Sergio Ramos.

The game's first chance fell to Klose who pounce on a step wandering Sergio Ramos but overran the ball under pressure from Carlos Puyol. Ballack, who had been a fitness doubt right until kick-off, broke left and cut inside Puyol before delivering a dangerous cross into the penalty area.

Although not rattled, Spain took time to get their intricate passing game going, but when they finally found their rhythm, almost opened the scoring. In 14 minutes, Iniesta sailed in a wonderful pass from Xavi and crossed into the box where the reverse Per Mertesacker forced goalkeeper Jens Lehmann into a sharp reaction save. It was the closest it had reached a goal and highlighted the growing threat of Spaniards.

Another proof of the growing dominance Spanish came midway through the half when Sergio Ramos' cross was met by a firm downward header from Fernando Torres in the post.

As the half wore on, Germany were looking increasingly vulnerable and that there was a big surprise when Spain finally achieved the breakthrough. Xavi was the architect of the goal, but the pace and strength Torres that ultimately undid Germany. Collecting a pass measured the Barcelona midfielder, Torres flick the ball beyond Lahm Dinka and a delicate chip over Lehmann into the far corner of the net.

Ballack, who was running repair a cut eye, saw his frustration get the better of him when he squared up Puyol and received a reserve for its problems. With his most influential player struggling to have any impact, rudder and Germany are looking devoid of ideas.

Joachim Low responded to the growing crisis of replacing Philip Lahm with Marcell Jansen. This is a like for like replacement and it is difficult to see how the introduction of another defender could change the shape of the game.

However, Germany are nothing if not tenacious and a brief spell after the interval finally began to take the game to their opponents. Schweinsteiger, who had been anonymous in the first half, began to make some races that threaten the right flank, although his delivery remains patchy. Their best chance fell to Ballack to volley just wide after Puyol had given the ball away near his own corner flag.

Spain were lucky to still have eleven men on the pitch when David Villa headbutted Lukas Podolski. The incident was not spotted by the referee, much to the dismay of the German side. Soon after Aragones wisely removed Silva.

Aragones responded to the growing threat of taking off Cesc Fabregas and lead to more defensive-minded Xabi Alonso. If the switch is intended to regulate the ship worked, but more importantly also the improvement of Spain as a joint attack. A barrage of opportunities fell their way in a frantic spell midway through the half, with Sergio Ramos and Iniesta with what a fine save from Lehmann.

As Germany pressed forward in search of a tie, became more vulnerable to rapid counter-attack of the Spaniards. In fact, if a second objective is reaching Spain seemed much more likely to score, earrings and Marcos Senna was only inches away from sealing victory after another sweeping move from Aragones'.

The game ended with Germany struggling to clear the ball outside their own half. They spent a force that seems unable to muster the necessary self-belief to challenge the authority of Spain. It has been this way for much of the game as men in red finally banished his international reputation as the football great underachievers.

However, for some derives from finishing the victors the margin would have been much higher. Sometimes, Spain were playing with their opponents, and only a propensity to develop along the front of goal denied the most emphatic victory of his overall superiority deserved.


Germany 0-1 Spain
Top Scorers: Fernando Torres 33

Half: 0-1

Attendance: 51,428

Teams:
Germany: 1-Jens Lehmann, 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 21-Christoph Metzelder, 16-Philipp Lahm (2-Marcell Jansen 46), 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 8-Torsten Frings, 13-Michael Ballack, 15 -- Thomas Hitzlsperger (22-Kevin Kuranyi 58), 20-Lukas Podolski, 11-Miroslav Klose (9-Mario Gomez 79)

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas, 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Carlos Marchena, Joan Capdevila 11-, 19-Marcos Senna, 6-Andres Iniesta, 8-Xavi, 10-Cesc Fabregas (14-Xabi Alonso 63), 21-David Silva (12 Santi Cazorla 66), 9-Fernando Torres (17-Daniel Giza 78)

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)