This was the final of Euro 2008, which has been a fantastic tournament. Everyone was hoping for a thrilling game, with Germany the favorites to win the tournament. Spain had won all their previous games prior to this final, beating Italy in the quarter finals and Russia in the semi finals, so came in to this game on top form. Germany, however, had been struggling a bit in the previous game against Turkey, who they beat with a last minute goal in the semi finals.
Germany soon took control of the game, playing intelligent football and putting together a couple of good opportunities, but around half way through the first half, the game became more open, and slowly Spain began to take control. It was not long after this that Torres jumped higher than the German defenders to head the ball on to the post, with Lehmann well and truly beaten.
It was the thirty third minute when the first goal came, with Xavi playing a superb ball through the German defenders, and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres latched on to the ball, pushing through the defenders and chipping the ball over Jens Lehmann and in to the empty German net. After that Spain really took control of the game, playing fast and fluent football, with Germany struggling to gain possession, and when they did, the Spaniards just got the ball straight back, and the teams went in to half time with Spain looking well on top.
In the second half the story was much the same as in the first. Germany started the half well, running rings around the Spaniards for around twenty minutes, and had plenty of opportunities to draw level, but slowly Spain started to take control, and suddenly they looked the more likely team to score, playing the ball around the Germans and after around seventy five minute the Germans seemed to give up, roaming around the pitch with no urgency, and Spain probably should have scored at least two more goals, but the final whistle blew with the Spanish leading by one goal.
The result means that Spain are the European Champions for the first time in forty four years, and they truly deserved the title. On the night they were the better team, with Germany never really looking like much of a threat after twenty minutes had been played, and Spain capitalized on this. A very good game, and congratulations Spain!
Final Score:
Germany 0 – 1 Spain
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This was the first quarter final of the competition, with Portugal coming top of their group with six points. Germany, however, looked shaky in the group stages, coming second in their group after a disappointing loss to Croatia.
Portugal started well, playing good football, but neither team really pressed in the first ten minutes or so. The Portuguese started to find their feet, and created a good opportunity or two that could have been turned in. But then, as we’ve seen so many times in this competition, a quick counter attack led to the first goal. Bastian Schweinsteiger applied the final touch after a bursting run and a superb cross from Klose meant an easy tap in.
It was just four minutes later when the Germans doubled their lead. A free kick from the left side of the pitch had pin point accuracy, and poor defending from the Portuguese meant that Klose had a free header to score his first goal of the tournament.
After that Germany looked extremely likely to add a second, playing extremely good football in both attack and defense, although a couple of off side decisions meant they couldn’t add another goal in the first half.
Portugal, however, added a goal before the half time whistle was blown, Nuno Gomes adding the final touch from a rebound after Jens Lehmann saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot.
In the second half the Germans started the brighter team, with some more good attacking play leading to another goal, extremely similar to the second. A free kick from the left, to the back post, and a little push from Michael Ballack meant that he had a bit more room to apply the finishing touch, and it looked like there was no way back for Portugal.
The Portuguese then found some confidence, but they simply couldn’t get through the German defense until late in the second half, Nani crossing for Postiga to head the ball in, bringing the Portuguese within just one goal of the Germans, but they couldn’t do enough to win it.
This was a very exciting game, with Germany dominating for the majority of the ninety minutes, and although the score line flatters the Portuguese a bit, they go home with nothing to show for their efforts, and Germany go through clear favorites for the semi final they will play against either Croatia or Turkey.
Final Score:
Portugal 2 – 3 Germany
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June 20th, 2008
Both teams went in to this game not knowing whether they would go through or not. Germany would get through with a draw, but Austria needed a win. Germany went in to this game missing Schweinsteiger after he foolishly got sent off in the last game against Croatia.
Germany started well, the men in white pressing on to the Austrian goal, keeping possession well and creating a couple of good opportunities where if the delivery had been a bit better they might have scored. The problem seemed to be that they were playing down the middle too much, when they should have tried to spread the ball wide.
Austria took control of the game after about twenty minutes, putting Germany under pressure for what was pretty much the rest of the first half. They had a couple of opportunities, and, unlike the Germans, were using the width well.
Although both teams played reasonably in their spells, Austria seemed to be on top, but the first half was fairly uninspiring and neither team created any opportunities where they should have scored.
In the second half the game immediately livened up and Germany were playing much better football. It was just four minutes after the second half started that Germany got a free kick and Chelsea midfield star Michael Ballack smashed the ball home from distance, leaving Macho, the Austrian goal keeper, with no chance.
As the game progressed Germany started to look more and more likely to win, with Austria only really getting ‘half chances’ and they failed to utilize these. Germany should have added a couple more goals to their tally, after good opportunities fell to Klose and Neuville, as well as a goal disallowed for off side, when it clearly wasn’t.
Overall a pretty poor game from both teams, and co hosts Austria leave the competition empty handed, although Germany will be happy they’re through.
Final Score:
Austria 0 – 1 Germany
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June 17th, 2008
After both teams won their first game, the pressure was on here, the winner almost definitely getting a place in the knock out stages. Croatia’s last game was less than inspiring; winning 1-0 against Austria, where as Germany looked a lot more convincing, beating Poland 2-0 with ease.
As the game kicked off, there was no clear dominator with end to end football being played. Surprisingly, Croatia began to take control, playing some fluent football and getting in a couple of shots. Germany had their fair share of chances too though, including a smashing Ballack free kick startling the Croatian goal keeper.
Then, a Croatian cross in to the box bounced awkwardly for German defender Marcell Jansen, and Darijo Srna managed to prod the ball past German and Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann. Croatia began to look much more confident after this, crossing the ball in regularly, and Niko Kranjcar missed two extremely good chances, which could have put Germany effectively out of the game.
Unfortunately for Croatia though, this was not the case, and as the half drew to an end the Germans started to press more and more, and it was a relief for Croatia when the half time whistle was blown.
The second half brought some entertaining football, Germany leading though, playing fast football, and it was against the run of play when on the sixty third minute a long shot was deflected on to the German post, falling kindly for Ivica Olic to tap the ball into an open goal.
This really wound Germany up, understandably, and they started pressurizing and getting even more worked up when the game wasn’t going their way, but their prayers were answered when on the seventy third minute a Croatian clearance fell to Podolski for him to smash the ball home from the edge of the box.
Germany then looked very likely to equalize, playing some amazing crosses into the box, but unfortunately for them, it just wasn’t working. Then, in stoppage time, a Croatian attack and a bad tackle makes German substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger lash out, pushing Jerko Leko to the ground and getting a straight red.
This game was very entertaining, both teams really going for it, and, against all predictions, Croatia emerged victors and now lead the group with the probability of getting through to the knock out stages.
Final Score:
Croatia 2 – 1 Germany
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June 13th, 2008
The Germans went in to this game clear favorites, never losing to the Poles. Also, the Germans are one of the big six to win the tournament, so when they walked out, led by their captain everyone expected it to be easy for them.
After kick off, the Germans took control in their white tops, black shorts and white socks, and swiftly started attacking. The Polish defense (dressed in all red apart from their white shorts) were struggling to keep up with the lively German attackers.
Everyone was hoping this game would contain lots of goals, with the other three games including just four goals between them, but it looks like our prayers were answered as Germany surged forward. A certain irony rang around the stadium when on the twentieth minute Polish born Klose passed to Polish born Podolski for an easy tap in. One – nil to Germany.
After that it looked like the Germans were going to put at least three or so past the Polish goalie, but the Poles held on, and around thirty five minutes into the game the Polish players were so nearly rewarded for their efforts when two powerful shots were blocked and a low cross was put just inches beyond the far post.
The Germans became more and more frantic in their clearances and it was a relief for them when the half time whistle came.
Into the second half and Poland took control, creating long spells of possession, but never really converting that possession into shots. Just as the Polish threat got greater and greater, the play suddenly switched to the other end, where the Polish goalkeeper made a great save from a Ballack shot.
After that it was pretty easy going for Germany, creating some good moves, until they put together a series of skilled passes, before it eventually tumbled to Podolski to smash home for his second goal of the night. Germany then took complete control, and probably could have added another if they weren’t so tired.
Overall, it was a good performance by Germany, with short spells of Polish class, but ultimately the Germans deserved to win, and the score line does both teams justice for the football played.
Final Score:
Germany 2 – 0 Poland
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June 9th, 2008
