Fernando Torres scored the only goal in the Vienna final as the ‘Red Fury’ were crowned 2008 European Championships. The forward’s excellent first-half strike was enough to give Spain their first major international trophy for 44 years. Torres was a nightmare for the German defenders during the 78 minutes he was on the Ernst Happel pitch and was voted the game’s Man-of-Match.

Spain coach Luis Aragones brought Cesc Fabregas into the starting line-up in place of striker David Villa, who missed the match because of an injury sustained in the 3-0 win over Russia in the semi-final. With the inclusion of the Arsenal midfielder, Fernando Torres played as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation with Fabregas joining Xavi, Iniesta, David Silva and Marcos Senna in midfield.

Following some early good minutes from Luis Aragones’ men, Germany slowly took control to push Spain deep into their own half. The pressure almost paid off as Miroslav Klose seized upon a backpass from Sergio Ramos, but luckily for Spain the German striker lost possession in the area.

At the other end a cross-shot from Andres Iniesta struck Christoph Metzelder but Jens Lehmann reacted well to palm the ball behind for a corner.

Fernando Torres tested Per Mertesacker with a run down the left-hand channel earning a corner, and then took on his defensive partner Metzelder to earn a free-kick, after the striker had beaten the centre-back with a great bit of skill on the touchline.

The Liverpool number ‘9’, who had beaten both of Germany centre-backs for space, then easily outjumped Mertesacker to head a Sergio Ramos onto the bottom of the post, before the ball bounced away to safety. So close for Spain!

The deadlock was finally broken just after the half hour mark as the Spain number ‘9’ showed his striker’s instinct to outpace Lahm before cleverly dinking the ball over Jens Lehmann. Torres was smothered by the other ten outfield players as he celebrated Spain’s opening goal over by the corner flag.

The Germans were shell-shocked following Torres’ strike, and first Iniesta, and later Silva, came close to doubling Spain’s lead before the half-time whistle.

Spain started the second-half on fire as Torres was denied by Jens Lehmann. The goalkeeper was quick to rush out of goal to smother the ball as the striker was about to let fly. Iniesta then came close as the midfielder had a shot cleared off the line, and then Sergio Ramos’ free header from a free-kick was tipped over by Lehmann.

Germany had no reply to Spain’s football as Kuranyi was brought on by Joachim Low as his team turned to route one football. Michael Ballack hit the side netting with a snap-shot following a knock-down from Kuranyi, as Germany threw everything forward in search of an equaliser.

With ten minutes remaining, Fernando Torres was replaced by Dani Guiza. The Spain number ‘9’ had run himself literally into the ground and departed the pitch to a standing ovation from both sets of fans.

The finally ten minutes were played out in Germany’s half, and although the second goal failed to arrive, Spain never looked in danger of conceding an equaliser. Luis Aragones’ men almost doubled their lead in the dying minutes as Marcos Senna was inches away from meeting Guiza’s header back across goal.

And although the referee added three minutes of stoppage time, Germany had no answer to Fernando Torres’ goal, as Spain became 2008 European Champions.


- Final Score: Germany 0 –1 Spain

Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm (Jansen, 46), Schweinsteiger, Frings, Ballack, Hitzlsperger (Kuranyi, 58), Podolski, Klose (Gomez, 79).

Bookings: Ballack, Kuranyi.

Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas (Xabi Alonso, 62) Silva (Cazorla, 65), Torres (Guiza, 79).

Bookings: Casillas, Torres

Goals: Torres, 33


Photo: J.A. Sirvent