In a packed stadium and Vienna, Germany was lacklustre and did not maximise the experience that they had in major finals, which allowed the Spanish players to pass the ball with maximum effect.
After dictating the play for the 1st 15 minutes, Spain began to play at their own pace, which gave trouble to the German team since. The damage was done in the 1st half as a speedy Fernando Torres, latched onto an inch-perfect from Cesc Fabregas, replacement for the injured David Villa, and outran German defender Philippe Lahm before scoring past Jens Lehmann.
Yes Claryn, he deserved the plaudits.
Ironically, Torres had a bad tournament thus far, with only one solitary goal to his name prior to the final. Perhaps he showed why is he still one of the best forwards in the world by scoring in a match with such magnitude.
Fair to say, as a neutralized fan watching this football match up and early in the morning, Spain totally deserved to win this match. They were completely outplayed in almost every department, and their breathtaking passes had killed the Germans. If not for the goalkeeper, the score would have been much bigger than it would have suggested.
The victorious Spaniards
So this match concluded a tournament which was stunned by MANY surprises, and although I did not catch most of the matches, I managed to keep updated with the important facts of this tournament.
First of all, I'm impressed with the fair play being shown by all the teams in the tournament. Only 3 red cards suggested that violence was kept at bay. =)
Best Team of Euro 2008
Although Spain may have ended their drought by winning the title, in my opinion this plaudit still goes to none other than Russia. Led by mastermind Guus Hiddink, who transformed an average football team to world-beaters, they displayed perfect counter-attacking style of football. Speed, agility, matched by the ability to defend at the same time, it is no wonder that Holland was wiped out in the semi-finals.
The future of football.
The Most Entertaining Team
Without a doubt, the Oranje team. Boasted by the wealth of talents in terms of attacking players, Sneijder, Nistelrooy, van Persie, Huntelaar are all proven classy attacking players, and they brought colours to the tournament with their dismantling of France and Italy in the group stages. A 4-1 against the Italian team was no easy feat at all.
The Oranje
Comeback Kings
WHO ELSE BUT TURKEY? Unbelievable fighting spirit to win matches together with their attacking minds made up a very formidable combination as they fought back so many times in the tournament when it seemed that they will lose. The perfect example was the match against Croatia, who themselves even wonder how on earth Turkey equalized THAT fast to bring the match into penalties.
Did I mention, Turkey scored the equalizer RIGHT after Croatia scored in the 2nd last minute of extra-time?
Comeback Kings
Best Player of The Tournament
Could have been Sneijder if Holland was not knocked out. What distincts a very good player from a good player is that he is able to bring massive impact to the team he plays with, and that was shown by the Russian midfielder Arshavin. Russia looked like a team of nobody when he was suspended for the 1st two matches until he returned to the team. He completely changed the team with his pace and certainly passing ability to unlock the stubborn defences. Plus with his ability to score goals when it matters, he certainly had the ability to be the next best player in the world.
As described by Shebby Singh, he brought "art" to the Russian team.
The Russian Wizard
The Worst Team
Who else but the team which has a chicken on its logo?
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