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
Russia OUT of Euro 2008
Spain to the FINAL
Spain 3-0 Russia
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June 27th, 2008
Germany were the clear favorites for this game, and the fact that Turkey had nine players out through suspensions and injuries just boosted the Germans’ confidence. Germany got through by coming second in their group and beating Portugal convincingly in the quarter final, with Turkey crowned as comeback kings after winning their last two games in the final minutes of the match.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Turkey dominated the first twenty minutes, with lots of shots and crosses, and the German defense looked shaky, especially goal keeper Jens Lehmann who is usually very impressive.
Turkey got their just rewards when on the twenty second minute Ugur Boral scrambled the ball over the line after a Turkish shot had looped over Lehmann and hit the cross bar. It didn’t take long for the Germans to get back in the game though, a rapid counter attack found it’s way to Podolski who played a brilliant ball in to the box for Schweinsteiger to equalize just four minutes after the Turks’ goal.
The first half continued in the same way, with Turkey dominating, and they should have gone in to the changing rooms at half time leading by at least two or three goals, but German luck had kept them in the game.
In the second half, the game wasn’t quite as exciting, but on the seventy ninth minute, Germany looked like they had won it when a goal keeping error from Rustu allowed Klose to head Germany in to the lead. But, it didn’t really surprise anyone when Turkey scored on the eighty sixth minute to come back in the last five minutes for the third time in three games.
There was nothing the Turks could do to stop Phillip Lahm’s final minute effort though. A brilliant German move and a dinky one two in the box meant that the German left back could smash the ball in to the roof of the net for the Germans.
Overall, a very exciting game, and tournament over achievers Turkey are out, with Germany making it through to the final where they will play either Spain or Russia, depending on tomorrow’s result.
Final Score:
Germany 3 – 2 Turkey
Watch the five GOALS:
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June 26th, 2008
