Good weather was forecasted in Vienna last night, no rain, no lightning and no thunder-storm was expected. But "El Nino" struck the Ernst Happel Stadion in the 33rd minute of the Euro 2008 final and swept the Germans off their feets which they never recovered.
With a devastating turn of pace and a sweet strike of his right boot, Fernando Torres - nicknamed El Nino , secured victory for Spain and also banished the devil, who for 44 years had held Spain to ransom, denying them their rightful place at the summit of European football.
This final was billed as a clash of Germany’s efficiency and might versus Spain’s creativity flair and tiki taka. The Spainish "red tide" played with such flair, finesse and determination to overwhelmed the German machine, they thoroguhly derserved to lift the Henry Delaunay Trophy and ended 44 years of underachievements at major football tournaments.
The conclusion of this match will bring the curtain down to my Euro 2008 armchair coverage over the last three weeks. Let me sit back and enjoy a well-deserved beer (only the official beer will suffice) and savor another dose of Somos los Campeones !
Sixteen national teams, thirty matches and three weeks of largely breathless, unpredictable and exciting football actions later, we have finally reached the final match of Euro 2008.
The final will be contested between pre-tournament favorites Germany and perennial underachievers Spain later this evening. It’s the German efficiency vs the Spanish flair. Who will emerge Champions?
The Germans have pedigree and big match experience but the Spaniards have style and depth in their team and after after getting a few monkeys off their back in this tournament, they are ready to banish 24 years of hurt and underachievement. I’m backing them to life the trophy tonight.
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The superb Spanish amrmada demolished Russia 3-0 in the second semi-finals of Euro 2008 to steam-roll their way into the finals of a major tournament for the first time in 24 years.
This semi-final was touted to be the most intriguing re-match of the tournament after the way Russia recovered themselves since the 4-1 drubbing by Spain in their opening game some 16 days ago. In the end, the supposedly in-form Russians revealed not a glimpse of the way they peeled the Oranje apart and left it to Spain to show they are still 3 goals better than Russia.
The Russians contained and matched the Spaniards stride for stride in the first half, which ended all square. It was after David Villa got injured that his replacements, Cesc Fabregas came on to provide the inspirations and the killer passes which led to all 3 goals!
The momentumn is surely with the Spanish now. After beating Italy in 88 years and breaking the peanlty shoot-out curse of June 22, and they must surely believe that they can go all the way. Bring on the Germans!
Germany beat Turkey 3-2 with a 90th minute winner on Wednesday to book a place in Sunday’s EURO 2008 final.
Despite being decimated by injuries and suspensions, Turkey took the game to Germany, and was clearly the better side throughout. The very least Turkey deserved was a draw to take the semi-final into extra-time after their dominant play but their fairy tale run was finally undone by Philipp Lahm’s late goal in Basel.
Turkey, playing in their first Euro semi-final, had captured the imaginations of the neutral with their never-say-die attitude and staging remarkable come-from-behind victories in their previous three matches to light up the tournament.
The story of Turkey is one of true grit and determination. Every true football fans will agree this Turkish team has earned respect and admiration for the way they won everyone over at Euro 2008.
