- 29 Jun 08, 11:05 PM
Vienna
The most gifted and complete team won Euro 2008 - and for that I am truly thankful. I thought at one stage it might be the Dutch before I briefly flirted with the idea that Russia may well exceed expectations. But ultimately there can be no arguing with Spain's status as worthy champions.
It could have been so different had Miroslav Klose capitalised on Sergio Ramos's awful pass to Carles Puyol after just three minutes but destiny ensured victory was with the deserved.
In defeating Germany here at the Ernst Happel Stadium on this balmy June evening, Spain not only ended 44 years of international failure and frustration but delivered a gift rich in significance to those who subscribe to a brand of football that truly is the beautiful game.
Spain may have encountered physically superior opponents in Germany but their ability to retain possession, utilise space and undermine their opponents with a defence-splitting pass was evident for all to see.
Many had questioned whether the Spanish would suffer a serious bout of stage fright. Speaking to journalists from across Europe during the day, the majority of them predicted a Germany win despite accepting that Spain were the more talented team.
For the opening 10 minutes of the final, it looked as though those fears might prove true as Joachim Loew's team started impressively while Spain, coached by the wily Luis Aragones, played too many uncharacterised long and errant passes.
Once the latter found their rhythm, though, it was clear they were the superior team. Had they scored more goals, it would not have been an unfair reflection on the game.
Xavi Hernandez was superb, playing a number of piercing passes that exposed the frailties of the German central defensive pairing of Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder.
Germany rattled Spain at times - witness David Silva's idiotic and unpunished headbutt on Lukas Podolski - but Loew's side lacked the fluency and guile of their opponents. That German striker Kevin Kuranyi was making tackles yards from his own goalline with seconds remaining underlined the ease with which Spain closed out the final.
Marcos Senna, the Brazilian-born defensive shield, has been superb for Spain throughout Euro 2008, allowing those in front of him to express themselves while protecting the defence behind him. It would be no huge surprise if he was named as the player of the tournament.
Spain scored 12 goals and conceded just three to claim the Henry Delaunay Trophy, making a mockery of the press that so hounded Aragones after he omitted Raul from his squad.
The final was Aragones's last match in charge of Spain, and the victory is vindication of his single-minded approach, his stubborn insistence on doing things his way.
The 69-year-old's relationship with his domestic media has often been testy, and he could have been excused a wry smile as he faced the Spanish press after the final to the sight of many of them wearing his team's colours. Furthermore, he has made it clear he feels the Spanish Football Federation did not do enough to persuade him to stay in the months preceding the tournament, a decision that now looks short-sighted.
Yet, most importantly, his players respected him and had a firm belief in his methods, many revealing he was a different person away from the glare of the media, happy to joke and make everyone feel at ease. Match-winner Torres declared after the final that Aragones was a "12th man" for the team and an inspirational force.
Aragones warned his team on the eve of the game that nobody would remember the losers. They obviously listened.
The watershed match for many was Spain's quarter-final victory over Italy on penalties, a win that led to an upsurge in self-belief among their supporters both here and back home.
Spain have often been regarded as a team that lacked unity, with strong regional differences undermining their cause. In this regard, Euro 2008 could prove to be a symbolic as well a purely footballing victory. The idea that it is OK to be Spanish as well as, say, Catalan.
Time will tell if that feeling lasts, but there is no doubt Spain are worthy winners of Euro 2008.
BBC Sport Euro 2008
Who are you supporting in Austria and Switzerland? Share your thoughts on all things Euro 2008 with our BBC Sport experts.
Fletch's view of Euro 2008
Recent Comments
- vikrulz on You Are The Ref #13
- vikrulz on You Are The Ref #13
- swampeemarsh on You Are The Ref #13
- BlueStarIT on You Are The Ref #13
- goalie_up_front on You Are The Ref #13
Teams
Latest Photos
Clicking on any of these photos will take you to an external site.
Podcast
Download or subscribe to this programme's podcast
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
From Germany:
We are disappointed to have come in second best only.
But congratulations to Spain !
This is a cup winner like we have not seen in a long time.
Which means they were the most consistently good team throughout the tournament, not losing once; they achieved this without any foul manoeuvers, and not at the cost of some opponent's bad luck, and not through bad refereeing.
In other words: A perfect record.
Without envy, without jealousy, but with great admiration, once again:
Congratulations, Espania !
Complain about this comment
thank you GERMAN for being sucha nice SPORTS,anyway,Im IYA from philippines , but i live here in spain..me and my family watched the game and I know that spain remained grounded despite of the provocations they still welcome the opponents..SPANISH really deserves it..sorry to all germans..but infairness german did enjoy the game they gave thier best.But in game there should only be one winner.
cheers!
Complain about this comment
I am dissapointed in how poor Germany played. They could not string any passes together, they failed to create any scoring chances and were very slow. They were too inconsistent in this tournament. Germany needs to build a more solid central defensive partnership and need a reliable striker to take over from Klose to take that extra step next time. Nevertheless I am happy to be a Germany supporter because we are always in the mix in major tournaments!
As for Spain congratulations on a well deserved victory. I am especially happy for Fabregas, one of my favorite players. This could be the beggining of a golden age for Spanish football that could see them win their first World Cup.
Complain about this comment
the decision made by aragones to replace torres and fabregas when they were not doing good was supperb.
aragones is a very good coach who does not fear doing what he thinnks is right.
german coach should not have kept number 7 who was too tired.
the final was fantastic
Complain about this comment
Some good comments here. Fletch concentrates on what Spain did well, not on the negatives of the runners-up. Sporting fairness from German bloggers. It was mainly a good match to watch, but it seemed that the German side, so often classed as super-fit, seemed tired and off their game. Would Aragones have given Ballack a full game?
Too often, managers are media pressured to go with the big name, and in this case I felt that Ballack, although good in flashes, was not 100% ready. This team has some good young players, and will continue to grow in competence before 2010. Fabio take note - England need to take a chance on new blood and leave the prima donnas at home.
Good to see talk about sport, not national identity.....
Complain about this comment
Magnificent tournament - surely the best since the 1984 one. A very good final although it was Spain who made it a good one. I think Turkey would have made the final a more pulsating one had they got there.
For 15-20 minutes I thought that Spain were going to freeze much like the Dutch had against the Russians. But unlike Van Baasten's men, the Spaniards came out of the initial period of apprehension like true champs. Surely they will be among the hottest of favourites to lift the world cup now that they have buried their loser tag when up against the Italians.
Complain about this comment
I'd like to thank Spain for making this tournament a joy to watch. I suspect that the other reason I enjoyed it was because we didn't have the media hype that surrounds the England team when we play in a major tournament.
Spain showed that they were not only technically gifted but that they played as team.
As a Liverpool supporter I should probably choose Torres as the man of the Tournament, but my sentiments match those of Martin O'Neill, in that Senna was the linchpin that allowed the likes of Xavi, Silva, Iniesta, Fabregas, Torres and Villa to ply their trade in the parts of the pitch where they do the most damage.
Worthy winners and perhaps have shown other biennial underachievers what can be done with the right squad and temperament.
Complain about this comment
Country by country Guide:
France – managed to get knocked out of the tournament without really trying. Could have been replaced by Equarotrial Guinea and nobody would have noticed (with the possible exception of Carla Bruni – who doesn’t notice much). Most influential player was Zinedine Zidane.
Switzerland – First team to qualify for EURO2008, and the first team to get knocked out. Best moments came when they played Turkey in a swimming pool in Basel. Must have been a side effect of high altitude.
Italy – Did they really win the world cup in 2006? The only team in the history of football to make a penalty shoot out look boring. Michel Platini has proposed that Italy be relocated to Asia.
Turkey – the entertainment team of the championship. Managed to progress from their group, and into the semi-finals despite being ahead for a total of about 10 minutes in their games. Eventually knocked out by a “Rushtu” of blood to the head. Fatih Terim undoubtedly the most animated figure of the tournament. The man has a very promising future as a Shakesperean actor (Alas poor Rushtu, I knew him well, Horatio).
Holland – remarkable performance in the Group of Death where they came through virtually not only alive, but without any injuries whatsoever. Finally succumbed to the Russians on the grounds that Russian blondes are cuter than the Dutch.
Austria – their coach claimed they played sensationally some of the time. It must have been during the warm up before the matches. Rumoured to have put in a bid to host the 2028 World Cup so they can qualify.
Czech Republic – just when you think you have the best goalkeeper in the world, life just bites you in the ass. "My mistake was such a shock for everyone. I think the third goal was a consequence of the second one," he stated. And the second goal was probably a consequence of the first one. But what was the first goal a consequence of?
Greece – Well inspite of the inglorious weather during the tournament, lightening did not strike twice for the holders Greece. They have the consolation of always winning the opening ceremony in the Olympics in just over a month.
Romania – initially took the blame for the most boring match of the tournament against France. But, isn’t hindsight wonderful!
Portugal – most anonymous “superstar” in the tournament – Cristiano Ronaldo. Blamed their early exit on Chelsea for stealing their manager mid-tournament. Other managers (French, Italian, Romanian) looked on jealously at Mr. Scolari.
Poland – it must be said that having qualified ahead of Portugal the Poles really blew it big time. It’s very hard to find an excuse, given that they finished below Austria in their group and nobody tried to steal their manager.
Sweden – Their coach (Lars Lagerback) was devastated by his teams exit. Personally, I feel with a name like Lagerback, Sweden deserved to go all the way based on degrees proof. "It's very sad, we haven't experienced this since the tournament in 2000 in Belgium and Holland," Belgium and Holland …. Austria and Switzerland? I see a trend emerging for the Swedes. They have to resist the co-hosting in future Euro Championships.
Russia – Hidding, having committed treason against his national team of Holland, his Russians finally crashed out to a rampant Spain in the semi-finals. However, they did pick up the consolation prize of “best former communist country, managed by a Dutchman”. Roman Abramovic calls for annexing of Germany in time for the next tournament.
Croatia – The Croatian team should all get that famous book ”How to take a Penalty” in their Christmas stockings this year. It is doubtful that their very talented manager, Mr. Bilic, can remain on the fringes of football for much longer.
Germany – Quite how they managed to reach the final is a mystery. In the semi final, Lehman played like a layman, Ballack played like a hammock and the two centre backs played like a disjointed version of the Teletubbies. In a last ditch attempt to lay the blame elsewhere, the German goalkeeper complained about the referee: "The referee was a catastrophe and sometimes I think it is fixed when I see such a referee who is biased and not correct in his decisions”. Rather pathetic, Mr. Layman.
Spain – Finally 44 years of abject failure laid to rest. Spain were quite imperious in the final. They were guided in the tournament by their superb midfielder Senna. Who, incidentally was born in Brazil. “We suffered, but in the end, it was worth the pain," said King Juan Carlos, as he headed off for some Champagne and caviar after the game , completely loosing his cool in the heat of the moment.
Complain about this comment
Don't confuse "taller" with "physically superior".
Spain had the more powerful players.
Germany were going down for free kicks as it was the only way to try to get back into the game. The Germans had more possession than Spain so your point about keeping the ball is also wrong.
Physically superior my bum - the strongest team physically, mentally and technically won - enough said. Only Brazil or France have more explosive power and we all know why.
Complain about this comment
Congratulations to the Spanish team. They played a great tournament and a fantastic last game. They deserve to be on the football throne.
Germany will be back in 2010 to finish the series:
3rd in 2006
2nd in 2008
??? in 2010
I personally hope, England will also be there.
Thank you to BBC for providing this interesting blog and website. See you in 2010!
Deutschland vor, noch ein Tor!
Complain about this comment
No major prizes since 1964...?
So that makes it '..44 years of hurt...'
Awkward lyrics!
Complain about this comment
Spain are now the first and only country to win the Euros twice without a World Cup. I'm sure they'd happily trade. Not that I want to make the win seem unimportant, far from it - it's definitely a much more significant win than 1964. All I'm saying is I hope they'll do themselves justice in two years as well. I like Spain.
Complain about this comment
Team of the Tournament anyone, mine reads something like this;
Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pujol, Chiellini, Zhurkov, Senna, Xavi, Altintop, Arshavin, Sneijder, Villa
With notable mentions for; Buffon, Simunic, anyukov, Lahm, Iniesta, Fabregas, ballack, deco, modric, schweinsteiger, Arda, Torres and Pavluyochenko
Complain about this comment
I agree with all the article, but re the last thoughts on national unity, did you not notice how Sergio Ramos wrapped himself in the Andalusian flag (white and green) to go up and receive his medal, and then celebrate?
Very foolish of him -- but it shows what a hard nut to crack Spanish regionalism is.
Complain about this comment
Spain played for me the best football in the tournament and deserved their triumph last night.
Well said LastgoalinWembley.You put all us English bigots to shame. But, and I think you know it yourself, Germany are going to struggle to qualify for South Africa. They´ll get there, but it´ll be tough.
Complain about this comment
!VIVA ESPANA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this comment
The perfect end to another brilliant tournament, well done Spain. In the end, Spain proved superior in all areas and last night Germany had no answer to their passing and movement. They have the best strikers, best midfield, some top class defenders and the keeper not bad is he! Can Spain win the next World Cup? If they don't, surely with this squad they will go close. So many young players and whoever is coach is spoilt for choice in nearly every area of the team. So good to see a country with awesome skill finally win a title after so long. All that was missing last night was more goals but didn't matter. I was disappointed with Germany. A good first 10 mins, a few attacks in the 2nd half and Ballack's shot is the sum of it. Spain had them well under control and they knew it. To me many of the German players didn't look surprised they lost. I am jealous of their tournament record though, I wish England could get near it!
Complain about this comment
To opioner,
I could be wrong but I understood that Sergio Ramos was paying tribute with his flag as well as his Tshirt, to Antonio Puerta, the Sevilla player who died last year.
His Tshirt read 'Siempre con nosotros' or 'Always with us'.
Complain about this comment
"Had they scored more goals, it would not have been an unfair reflection on the game."
Not wanting to be pedantic but I've been reading comments like this all over the place all throughout the competition with regards to Germany and it's beginning to irritate me.
What so many punters and journalists fail to understand about the game is that the sole aim in football is to score more goals than your opposition. You win no points for playing "well" as per a subjective opinion if it doesn't net you any goals.
Basically what I'm trying to say is that -ruling out any kind of foul play on the part of the officials- the end score is always fitting, because it is the number of goals scored. A team doesn't need to play "better" for an entire match, they just need to score more goals and that can be achieved with one or two brief moments of brilliance.
There are no style points in football and the score you get is the score you deserve. To write an article stating that Spain deserved the win is utterly inane and I'm sorry to single you out as everyone seems to be writing out the same misguided opinions but this is a blog so I thought I'd add my two cents.
Congratulations to Spain and commiserations to Germany, but please, we don't need an entire article to explain what is suitably portrayed as such:
1-0
Complain about this comment
Hi all,
Lovely match. Congratulations Spain, even though I supported Germany in this particular game.
Spain played well throughout the tournament and I should add a special word of praise for Senna who reads the game well and is so composed on the ball.
Germany: Unfortunately, you couldn't match Spain. All the Germans I talked to seem to be of one mind: Spain were the better team.
Strange as it may seem I am first and foremost an England and Liverpool supporter.
I sincerely hope that Capello instills the confidence, self respect and discipline in the English national side.....enough said!
Enjoy your summer....off to the beach....bleedin' hot here ;-)
Complain about this comment
To Gerrie0,
From Spain,
Than you very much for your nice remarks on the Spanish squad. And all of you truly football fans for your supporting comments on here and in some other forums.
You all, as football fans, have a piece of the trophy as well because it was football that won this tournament.
At last, the most deserved team have won it.
We are very proud, celebrated in every single village of Spain, in every corner and it really worth the pain waiting so long.
So from Spain, than you all football fans!!!
Complain about this comment
Well done Spain - football and skill finally won!!
Complain about this comment
I am very glad, that Spain won Euro 2008! I didn't want Germany to be a champion. Match between these two groups was really exciting
Complain about this comment
Germany were poor but still reached the final where Spain could only beat them 1 - 0. The tournament may have been exciting but I question the overall standard of play.
Or put it this way: If next Sunday Spain was playing Brazil or Argentina who would you put your money on?
Complain about this comment
Spain are as worthy winners as any in this year's tournament but by no means as dominant as say, France in the late 90s or Germany before that. If anything, this year's victory only calls attention to just how little Spain have done over the years. Even with the benefit of hindsight, they may no more be "the real deal" than Russia turned out to be. Spain may just be another one-off like Greece the last time or Denmark in '92. Maybe Aragones was right in opining that nobody would remember the losers, but somehow you can't help but suspect that Germany will not be forgotten all so quickly. They have, after all, both been in and won many more finals in international tourney's than Spain (or anyone else). And Spain didn't exactly overwhelm yesterday. the winning goal was a pretty cheap one. Germany may have barely lost the final yesterday but they still gave boisterous supporters in Kurdistan something to cheer about with their smashing defeat of Turkey that could help lead to "an upsurge in self-belief" among Kurds.'In this regard, Euro 2008 could prove to be a symbolic, as well as a purely footballing victory, the idea that is ok to be Kurdish as well as, say, Turkish'.
Complain about this comment
I think this season has been a testament to the two greatest leagues in the world; the premiership and the spanish primera division. The all - english champions league final, just underlined the quality of football in English club football and it's superiority as a league than all others. And now spain european champions, must be creditted to their continual production of quality young talent coming onto the season and the league's wonderful ability to nurture these homegrown players into stars for club and country, something which England have struggled with - underlined by our inability to qualify for the euros in the first place.
David Gradon
Complain about this comment
How must Schweinsteiger have felt when the Spain team came behind him when he was giving an interview doing the conga! Y Viva Espana!
Complain about this comment
What a tournament and Spain were worthy winners in my honest opinion. I tipped Germany to win at the beginning of the competition so I guess my prediction wasn't too far off. No diving and cheating unlike the last world cup which made this tournament a really special one. Great football nd good attituds from the players. Even Portugal didn't cheat!
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS