ESPANA 1-0 Germany
Torres 33'
"CAMPEONES, REYES DE EUROPA, VIVA ESPAÑA... YA NO ES UN SUEÑO, SOMOS CAMPEONES DE EUROPA 44 AÑOS DESPUÉS... VIVA ESPAÑAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
That's the title on page one of one of the top Spanish newspapers Marca. It says everything!
Spain deserved it badly, badly, damn badly! Always a favorite, never a winner. A curse that has been lasting 44 years, until 29 June 2008! Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla are going nuts at this moment! The Spaniards were the only team that played from beginning to end on the same level, every time controlling the game and showing patience and maturity. It's true that they didn't have tough teams in the group phase, but they still showed a lot of skills and a wonderful teamwork! The quarter final against Italy was the first real test for them and although they weren't able to score a goal despite their domination, they showed that they deserved to go to the final at least. I'm curious about how the semi-final Spain - Holland would have turned out. Casillas has convinced me years ago that he's the world's number one goalie, at least for me.
Tonight, after many attempts to win a tournament since 1964, La Furia Roja strikes at last! The Germans applied a big pressure in the first 10 minutes of the game but i wasn't worried AT ALL about the rest of the game. Germany showed weaknesses during the tournament, especially in the defence (4 goals conceded in QF and SF). This was absolutely perfect for such fast players like Torres and Sergio Ramos who love penetrating into the box. Villa's absence was certainly a negative point, but the Spanish team wasn't really affected by this. Why would it be when you have Torres upfront?! First, a head on the post, then a goal with an assist by no other than the young talented Gunner, Fabregas. And what a goal it was! Lahm just couldn't stop Torres and Lehmann was beaten. El Nino is becoming El Hombre.
The second half? Oh man... the Germans were REALLY LUCKY! It should have ended 3 or 4-0. The Germans didn't have any really dangerous occasion. Poor Marcos Senna... it was a 100% goal, well... 99% for sure! Germany most probably played their weakest game in this Euro, at the worst moment for them.
The Spanish king and queen and Zapatero were there. The Spaniards made an online petition about not letting the prime minister attend the final because he brings bad luck to whoever he supports (whether in politics or sports). Luckily today it wasn't the case!
CHAPEAU BAS TO LA FURIA ROJA
EDIT:
I forgot... the Spanish defence was amazing today!! I'm always confident when Casillas is there and Sergio Ramos is a monster! (in the positive meaning of the word) this defender has never stopped impressing me.