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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Spain went in to this game favorites after progressing impressively from their group stage, and already beating Russia by four goals to one. The Russians, however, had impressed every one in their last three games, including two wins in their group stage, and beating favorites Holland in the quarter final.
Spain started off well, playing some good attacking football and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres looked a real threat, but so did Russian striker Pavlyuchenko, who has had a brilliant tournament, and was taking on three players on his own at times!
Russia stopped Spain from scoring with a five man defense, and were playing counter attacking football, which meant that the Russian forwards were very isolated because no one could keep up with the pace of their counter attacks, and, rather ironically, this included their own players!
The teams went in for their half time break with neither team really dominating, and there were few chances worth talking about. But Spain will be concerned with an injury David Villa picked up while taking a free kick, as this may put him out of Sunday’s final, should Spain get through.
In the second half, Spain tore Russia apart, scoring the first goal on the fiftieth minute after a quick break, and Xabi converted the phase of play in to a goal. Then, with seventeen minutes remaining, Spain doubled their lead through Daniel Guiza, after a simply amazing pass from Arsenal play maker Cesc Fabregas, and Russia looked unlikely to find a way back after that.
Spain’s victory was confirmed when David Silva scored with eight minutes remaining, again after a fabulous pass from Fabregas, meaning that Silva’s finish was simple.
Overall, a pretty uneventful first half, but in the second half Spain gained control of the game and Russia simply couldn’t handle them. Cesc Fabregas played brilliantly, and he has helped his Spanish side through to Sunday’s final, in which they will play against Germany.
Final Score:
Russia 0 – 3 Spain
Watch the three GOALS:
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June 27th, 2008
Both teams went in to this game knowing that a win would qualify them for the knock out stages, after both teams won their initial game. Spain were expected to win after convincingly beating Russia by four goals to one in their fist game, where as Sweden played an extremely boring game with Greece and won by luck by two goals to nil.
As expected, Spain took control of the game. The Swedes tried to counter, but didn’t get very far, and Spain looked very likely to score. And they did just that. A short corner caught Sweden out, as the ball reached Silva, who played a little chip into the box for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to sneak in front of his marker and prod the ball home with his outstretched foot.
It looked like Sweden were going to do exactly what the Netherlands did last night, with an attack straight from the kick off leading to a shot which so nearly snuck in at Iker Casillas’ near post.
Then Sweden scored. Ibrahomavic turned neatly away from a sliding tackle, before neatly slotting the ball into the goal, although Casillas really should have saved it, the ball literally trickled over the line. Suddenly both teams looked very energetic and Spain should have had a penalty in stoppage time when Silva was clattered from behind the ball had even reached him! The Spanish players were understandably infuriated, but they managed to cool their anger until half time so that they didn’t get booked.
In the second half Sweden dominated for most of the time, but after sixty minutes Spain got three fantastic opportunities in under a minute as Isaksson saved and defenders blocked oncoming shots.
Then, in stoppage time David Villa scored a goal to put Spain in front, when a ball was playing in the box, Villa neatly converted it giving the Manchester City and Swedish goal keeper no chance of stopping it.
Altogether a good game, and Spain are now through to the quarter finals. They maybe could have done more, but will be pleased with the win. Now Russia, Greece and Sweden will all have to fight it out for that crucial second place.
Final Score:
Spain 2 – 1 Sweden
Watch the GOALS:
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June 15th, 2008
