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VIENNA: Spain ended its 44-year wait for a major international title
with a 1-0 victory over Germany at the Euro 2008 final here on
Sunday.
Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game
in the first half as football’s perennial underachievers finally
banished that unwanted tag to the history books.
It was the first time Spain had won the European
title since 1964 and their first final since 1984.
For 69-year-old Spanish coach Luis Aragones,
there was a tinge of bitterness mixed with the moment of glory.
“We did things well, we won, period. I will
not be staying on as coach because I have been given no possibility
to,” said Aragones.
For Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, it was a
dream come true.
“This is great,” said the 21-year-old
Arsenal star. This is the best day of my life as a player. I don’t
think we are conscious yet of what we have achieved—44 years
later.”
“I don’t know why it has taken this long and
I don’t want to think about that anymore as we have achieved it
and we are a young team and will fight for the World Cup in two
years time.”
For Torres too, it was a dream realized. “For
me, it’s a dream come true.”
“Victory in a Euro, is almost as big as a
World Cup. I think that we have played very good football throughout
the tournament and it was justice done when we won the final.”
German coach Joachim Loew professed his
admiration for his side, who defied expectations to reach the final.
“I have to compliment the team for what they
have achieved over the past few weeks,” said the 48-year-old.
“It has been fantastic. The players are
obviously disappointed, but they have every reason to hold their
heads up high.”
For German captain Michael Ballack it was more
disappointment in a major tournament.
“It is very sad to lose when one has come such
a long way,” said the 31-year-old, who missed the 2002 World Cup
final because he was suspended and has also lost two Champions
League finals.
“All the team battled away. This tournament
has come at the end of the season and physically it has been tough.
However, today [Sunday] we have made too many errors.”
Spain seemed to start tentatively and a mistake
from Sergio Ramos gave Miroslav Klose a glorious opportunity after
just four minutes, but after taking the ball past Carles Puyol his
next touch was too strong and he ran the ball out of play.
Spain gradually started to settle but three-time
champion Germany still had the next chance, Thomas Hitzlsperger
hitting a tame shot straight at Spain captain Iker Casillas.
Just before the quarter-hour mark Jens Lehmann
came to Germany’s rescue as a cross from Andres Iniesta deflected
off Christoph Metzelder’s boot and only a stunning reaction save
from the Arsenal stopper prevented a goal.
Spain was starting to take control and Torres
headed a Xavi free-kick over the bar.
On 23 minutes, Ramos cut in from the right and
crossed to the back post where Torres climbed above the considerably
taller Per Mertersacker; his downward header beat Lehmann but
unfortunately for Spain not the base of the post.
Up the other end Spain’s slightly suspect
defense was struggling to cope with the direct running of Bastian
Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski but Germany created little despite
Ballack’s volley being blocked by Ramos.
Then on 33 minutes, Torres put Spain ahead with
a moment of sublime quality. He latched onto a piercing through ball
from Xavi, outpaced Philipp Lahm and chipped the ball over the
advancing Lehmann with a flicked shot that could have threaded the
eye of a needle.
Spain was suddenly rampant and Iniesta crossed
to the back post where the unmarked David Silva had a rush of blood
to the head and lashed a volley wildly over.
-- AFP
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