Spain Sail To A Bright New Future With Torres Winner
Monday, June 30th, 2008 by Stuart Stratford
GERMANY 0 - 1 SPAIN
FINAL, EURO2008
Fernando Torres’ 33rd minute goal is the difference that the history books will record in showing Spain emerged victorious in the Ernst Happel Stadion to win Euro2008. The reality was that a one-goal defeat flattered Germany. Ultimately, does that matter as the engravers etch Spain’s name on the Henri Delany Trophy for the second time, forty-four years after the first.
There was no answer from the Germans to Spain’s passing and movement, a performance that epitomised their tournament. Outthinking, outmuscling and outpassing their opponents. The absence of David Villa proved not to be an issue as Spain created chances throughout the game, causing the German defence continual problems with swift passes to feet.
Gerrmany enjoyed much of the pressure in the opening quarter of the game although it was the Spanish who twice came closest to breaking the deadlock, Fernando Torres outjumping the German defence but seeing his header strike the base of the post whilst Jens Lehmann rolled back the years when a shot from Xavi took a wicked deflection that the German ‘keeper did well to palm to safety.
Torres though provided the breakthrough with half-time on the horizon, Xavi sliding a ball between the defence and the Liverpool forward outpaced Lahm to lift the ball over the onrushing Lehmann. There was to be no German comeback nor was there to be one for Lahm as he was replaced by Jansen at the interval.
The second half continued the way the first had ended, Spain on the front foot, probing and creating. The best chances fell to Ramos who missed with a free header, Iniesta forced a good reaction save from Lehmann and Senna almost capped a fine passing move which he started, narrowly failing to connect with Guiza’s header across the face of goal.
Deserved winners, Spain are emerging from the football wilderness and should be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
Tags: Euro2008, Fernando Torres, Football, Germany, Soccer, Spain
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