Euro 2008 Final - Spain V Germany

[SuPaStA]

Germany v Spain

Vienna, June 29 1945 BST






SPAIN

Manager: Luis Aragones. A controversial figure, the 69-year-old was appointed after Euro 2006 and has rarely been out of the spolight, first for alleged racist remarks made about Thierry Henry and lately for refusing to recall Spain's record goalscorer Raul to the side. Will quit after the tournament.

Captain: Iker Casillas. Simply a magnificent goalkeeper, the 27-year-old has already made 73 appearances for his country and now leads them from the back. His astonishing reflexes and wealth of experience mean he is crucial to Spain's hopes of success.

Euro highlights: Won the second tournament in Madrid in 1964 thanks to Marcelinho's late winner against Hungary. Since then it has been a classic Spanish case of flattering to deceive, with a solitary run to the final in 1984 when Jose Antonio Camacho and Carlos Santillana's hopes were dashed by Michel Platini.

Euro legend: Luis Suarez. Not much to pick from despite some world-class players representing Spain over the years. But Suarez, who had just weeks before led Inter Milan to European Cup victory against Real Madrid, produced a virtuoso display to lead Spain to victory in the 1964 final.

Star man: Fernando Torres. There is no shortage of quality with Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and David Villa in the squad, but Torres has been electric for Liverpool and his predatory finishing could be the difference between nearly men and victors.

World ranking: 4th.






GERMANY

Manager: Joachim Low. Ensured a degree of continuity after the success of the Jurgen Klinsmann-inspired Germany from the 2006 World Cup, Low was the coach's trusted deputy and has since emerged as a fine manager in his own right, leading them to a comfortable qualification.

Captain: Michael Ballack. The Chelsea man enjoyed a far more productive second season in the Premier League than his first and he is the fulcrum of the German side, a fantastic leader and role model to the young players around him.

Euro highlights: Quite a few. Won the tournament as West Germany in 1972, thanks to Gerd Muller's four goals in two games, in 1980 with Horst Hrubesch's headed brace in the final and, most recently and after unification, as Germany in 1996 when Oliver Bierhoff's golden goal saw off Czech Republic at Wembley.

Euro legend: Jurgen Klinsmann. Muller might have bagged four goals in two games in 1972, but the talismanic Klinsmann played in three successive European Championships - 1988, 1992 and 1996 - and notched five times across those tournaments, winning one Euro, losing one final and one semi-final.

Star man: Miroslav Klose. Certainly not the most gifted player in Germany's ranks, but easily the most clinical. With 39 goals from 74 caps and 10 goals at two World Cups, the Bayern Munich striker is the man for the big occasion and will lead the line for the Germans.

World ranking: 5th.

[Pooky]

SPAINFTW!

[ShaunSA]

My bet's on Germany :)

[SuPaStA]

I cant wait for Sunday, wish they had euro every month lol

[JK8]

Ill be wearing a Porsche Jacket but Im supporting Spain!!:D

[hj2k_x]

My bet's on Germany :)

I have to agree :(

[SuPaStA]

Where/how will everyone be watching the game?

[JK8]

Oh yes I found an omen thats stronger than Killdoobs theories!!!!

Ballack!!! He cant win finals!!!:D:D:D:D

[milomak]

why was the euro thread closed?

[SuPaStA]

Dunno why they closing threads and not banning the people responsible for the closure.Seems pointless closing a thread yet leaving the people to get another one closed.

[vrapt0r]

SPAIN FTW :) make Portugal proud :) (Spain is like a big brother to portugal :))

[.geek]

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3743877,00.html

[LancelotSA]

why was the euro thread closed?

Look at what subsection this was posted in and you may have your answer...

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=122221

Seems that soccer hooliganism even exists on forums from the recent activities on here.... why can't soccer fans not just be like us rugby fans? :)

[milomak]

wow with a threat like that i suspect i should stay away from this forum.

[SuPaStA]

Hopefully they will start Guiza now then.

He probably will start, amazing touch by him lastnight for that goal.

[SuPaStA]

Some news regarding Villa


The Spanish Football Federation is refusing to write off striker David Villa's chances of playing in Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Germany.

Villa, 26, injured a thigh muscle in Thursday's semi-final win over Russia and said immediately after the game he would not be fit.

But now he will have hospital tests before any final decision is made.

"We will make another statement when we have spoken to a doctor and have the results," said the Spanish Federation.

Villa, who is the tournament's top scorer with four goals, came off after 34 minutes of Spain's 3-0 victory against Russia after injuring himself taking a free-kick.

"I'm a little sad that I won't be there to take part but it's better that a team-mate who is fit plays instead of me, particularly as my injury has left me limping quite badly," he said.

"Now I have to enjoy the show from outside. To play on Sunday would be a lottery.

"I would do it even if I had to play on one leg but this is a team - there are other players who will do better 100% than one who is injured.

"At the start I was really upset because I knew it was going to be very difficult to play in the final if we got there.

"I just want to enjoy Sunday and celebrate winning the European Championship with everyone else. This is an achievement for the whole squad and we want to take the glory on Sunday."

He was replaced by Cesc Fabregas and Spain coach Luis Aragones has hinted that the Arsenal midfielder may replace Villa for the final, if the Valencia forward is unfit.

"I know how well he can perform, he is a great player like others in our squad," said Aragones.

"It's better for numbers and pressure (to have an extra midfielder) and that is how Xavi scored his goal. The point is to make them feel free."

Fabregas is raring to go if called upon and said: "I am here when the manager needs me.

"It is good, we came here to win the tournament and we got to the final, which I think is the most difficult thing.

"In the final anything can happen, a lot of things can influence the game."

[Fern9do]

Spain should win this final...but those damn Germans probably will.
Aroganes has to start with Fabregas and Guiza

[Alan]

Spain should win this final...but those damn Germans probably will.
Aroganes has to start with Fabregas and Guiza

Guiza should carry on being used as an impact player. The 4-5-1 formation worked great against Russia and will work against the German's especially with their lumbering CBs

[SuPaStA]

I think he will start his normal 4-4-2 formation with torres and Guiza upfront.

[SuPaStA]

Question:

What you guys think england would have done in euro 2008 if they had qualified.Remember they would have taken the place of Russia, their group would have been Spain,Sweden,England and Greece.

I see them coming 2nd in their group (if they had to get out of it) and then losing to Holland in the quater finals.

[hj2k_x]

Question:

What you guys think england would have done in euro 2008 if they had qualified.Remember they would have taken the place of Russia, their group would have been Spain,Sweden,England and Greece.

I see them coming 2nd in their group (if they had to get out of it) and then losing to Holland in the quater finals.

I agree. Lose to Holland on penalties after being 1-0 up in the quarter final ;)

[Meisteral]

Germany FTW! Deutschland über alles!

also, any idea what the world rankings will be like for the the winning team?

[pos(t)er]

even got the umlaut going:u must be german, how else could u be so blind.

[alf101]

I say a german victory is on the cards here.
Hopefully Ballack doesn't headbutt anybody.

[Just_Ice]

I hope germany wins but I dont think it will happen as the spanish have more incentive to win considering their euro history.

[SuPaStA]

Germany captain Michael Ballack is a doubt after missing training on Friday and Saturday because of a calf injury.

The German Football Federation said the 31-year-old, a key factor in driving his team to the final with two goals, is currently receiving treatment.

[Meisteral]

even got the umlaut going:u must be german, how else could u be so blind.

lol. so blind wie eine Fledermaus.

and ps: I have a braille keyboard :p

[Alan]

I say a german victory is on the cards here.
Hopefully Ballack doesn't headbutt anybody.

Ballack might miss the game through injury :p

[hj2k_x]

My money is on Germany.

*sigh

[killadoob]

naaa spain FTW tnite

i dont support either team, just a neutral tnite :)

about time spain won something

[Alan]

My money is on Germany.

*sigh

Yes. Henry that's one of your best posts ever. :cool:

[alf101]

Yes. Henry that's one of your best posts ever. :cool:

+1
I've seen all his posts.

[feo]

Bump!

Why is there no discussion going on here? :confused:

My team Italy is out so I'm a neutral here but I'll be supporting Spain.

[Alan]

Maybe they're all watching the game at sports bars lol

[Kokop]

Having a DE passport, liking LFC, this is a tough call.

Both teams, especially DE (used to be rather dire) are playing attacking football.

Should be a great game.

Can't call it (DE for mental strength), Espanol for skill.


HMMMM

Either one is going to be a worthy winner. Torres hatrick, DE on penalties??????

Should be great, logging off now to place my bets.

(bet on spain ok, But DE bet as well ??????)

[Wurschtler]

GER-ESP 0:1 :(

[.geek]

Great goal by Torres. :)

[Pooky]

GER-ESP 0:1 :(

YEAH!!!!!!! GO Spain!! :):):):):)

[Pooky]

WOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



YEAH!
Well done Spain!

[ghoti]

Spain wins! nicely done

[boramk]

Should have been Russia :/

[DagegeN]

Spain wins! nicely done

Lovely now i have to try and work with the morbid Germans tomorrow ....
Streets in Germany here are so quiet ...

[hj2k_x]

Well deserved I must say. Spain were absolutely dominant. Germany were as crap as they have been all tournament. Justice has been done :)

[Alan]

Viva Espana

[hj2k_x]

Viva Espana

Agreed. At least they pulled it off.

Still can't believe Portugal and Holland choked the way they did - especially Holland :o

[HavocXphere]

Damn. Germany was simply outplayed at every turn. :o Esp the last half was total confusion on the German side...I guess they can count themselves lucky that they did not concede again in the second half.

[Fern9do]

whoohoooooo!!!!
Viva Espania!!!!
Torres...Best striker in the world...No doubt:)

[Alan]

Torres FTW. Spain were more direct in the first half allowing Torres to show his class

[SuPaStA]

Spain showed why they the strongest, most skillful football nation in Europe.
Germany had no chance tonight, they were outplayed!

Bring on the start of La Liga!

[Fern9do]

Spain showed why they the strongest, most skillful football nation in Europe.
Germany had no chance tonight, they were outplayed!

Bring on the start of La Liga!

LMAO at your signature:D:D:D

[Meisteral]

Well done Spain.

Germany played average, letting Spain pounce on that and win. Lehman kept the Germans in it and could have been worse than the 1-0. Although the headbutt by Silva and the ref not showing the red card could have swung the game either way. The ref had a poor game not taking control of the game in the early part and allowing too many fouls from both sides to go without warning.

All in all, not the best final, but then again, how many of all the recent finals have really been great.

[Devill]

Grats spain :( :p

[JK8]

Oh yes I found an omen thats stronger than Killdoobs theories!!!!

Ballack!!! He cant win finals!!!:D:D:D:D

Lol told you so!:D He came 2nd in 5 finals... encounting:p

[Nuxxy]

Viva Espana!

Great game by Spain. They had a little bit of a wobble after Germany changed formation and added the second striker, but otherwise, they dominated. It was nice to see that the 5 midfield tactic worked so well.

Any idea why Lahm was substituted? Was it because he was the defender that Torres went past to score (ie: punishment)? It'd be terrible if it was. You can see that Lehmann made the call and he backed off. It was a very bad defensive error on Germany's part.

Also, why was Casillas yellow-carded? He had an otherwise good game, as did Torres, Ramos and Senna.

I thought is was a good final. Lots of back and forth, and action to watch. But then I'm looking for entertainment, not technical perfection. :p

[pos(t)er]

if villa was there-at least two more goals.

[SuPaStA]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44790000/jpg/_44790721_68f6728b-f9a4-4222-844a-b76c89786f4c.jpg



Xavi awarded Euro 2008 accolade

Spain midfielder Xavi has been named the best player of Euro 2008.

The Barcelona star was a regular member of the tournament-winning side and scored the opener in the semi-final win over Russia.

Xavi, 28, was one of nine Spain players selected among a team of 23 by a panel of Uefa technical experts.

Manchester United's Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar, Chelsea's Michael Ballack, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool's Fernando Torres all made the final 23.

Ballack was part of the Germany side that lost in the final, while Fabregas and Torres helped Spain seal the spoils.
Chelsea's new signing Jose Bosingwa of Portugal and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, who will play for Tottenham in the Premier League next season, were also both selected.

There was no room in the final selection for Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo.

[Hobagoas]

They took Lahm out due to an injury. Had a lacerated wound on this left foot. A well deserved win by the Spanish team, but I think the Germans can be proud of themselves for reaching the finals (although that is probably not a huge consolation for them) *sigh* Let's see them go for it in 2010.

[gdiza]

I'm so upset I missed this, I really wanted to watch it. *sigh*

[pos(t)er]

^ to be honest u didn't miss too much:the goal was quite good, but for the rest it wasn't all that spectacular.germany made some heartstopping attacks and torres was threathening the whole time he was on.

[SuPaStA]

99% of the chances came from spain.
Suprised it never ended up 4-0.

[JK8]

The German strike players were nowhere in the game, Shweinsteiger made a brief appearance, Podolski played hide and seek and Klose was so bad he got pulled off!! I doubt Spains defence was that good...

[SuPaStA]

Spains defense was/is good hence this is their 22nd game without a loss.

[hj2k_x]

99% of the chances came from spain.
Suprised it never ended up 4-0.

I agree.

It was a good game as well in my opinion.

[killadoob]

yup good game!! germany looked awful again, this time someone punished them

[hj2k_x]

yup good game!! germany looked awful again, this time someone punished them

It was about time. :)

[Just_Ice]

What were the final results of our fantasy premier league thing? Capped...

[SuPaStA]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44797000/jpg/_44797526_spain_b282.jpg




Spain top rankings after Euro win

Spain head the Fifa world rankings after triumphing at Euro 2008 in style.

Rated fourth in June, it is the first time the Spanish have topped the list since the rankings started in 1992.

Former leaders Argentina have slipped to sixth after two disappointing draws in World Cup qualifying, while England have dropped six places to 15th.

It is their lowest position since 2001, Scotland are one place behind, Northern Ireland are 33rd, the Republic of Ireland 41st and Wales 54th.

England and the rest of the home nations failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

However, unbeaten in 22 games, a gifted Spain squad shed their tag as perennial underachievers when they swept all before them at the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland - winning every tie attractively and outplaying Germany when winning the final 1-0.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi was named the tournament's best player and was one of nine members of the Spain squad selected among a team of 23 by a panel of Uefa technical experts.
Germany, as a consequence of their progress in the tournament, have moved up two places to third position behind Italy, who have risen one spot, despite going out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage.

Greece, European champions in 2004, suffered a big drop - from eighth to 18th - after failing to make it out of the group stages this time around.

Russia's surprise run to the semi-finals resulted in them surging 13 places to 11th, their best ranking in more than 10 years.

The ranking system is based on international results over the past four years, with more points awarded for wins in major tournaments.


FIFA RANKINGS (previous position in brackets):

1. (4) Spain
2. (3) Italy
3. (5) Germany
4. (2) Brazil
5. (10) Netherlands
6. (1) Argentina
7. (15) Croatia
8. (6) Czech Republic
9. (11) Portugal
10. (7) France
11. (24) Russia
12. (12) Romania
13. (13) Cameroon
14. (20) Turkey
15. (9) England
16. (17) Scotland
17. (18) Bulgaria
18. (8) Greece
19. (14) Mexico
20. (16) Ghana
33. (32) Northern Ireland
41. (42) Republic of Ireland
54. (53) Wales

[Fuma]

13. (13) Cameroon
...
15. (9) England

This is interesting.

[killadoob]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=553132&sec=global&cc=3888

[hj2k_x]

13. (13) Cameroon
...
15. (9) England

This is interesting.

Cameroon?? :o

[Alan]

12. (12) Romania
13. (13) Cameroon
14. (20) Turkey
15. (9) England
16. (17) Scotland
17. (18) Bulgaria
18. (8) Greece
19. (14) Mexico
20. (16) Ghana

Wow what an illustrious group of teams to be around :cool:

[hj2k_x]

Wow what an illustrious group of teams to be around :cool:

Scotland are 16th?! For shame!

[SuPaStA]

Scotland's next games are against:
Northern Ireland, Macedonia and Iceland

England have:
Czech Republic,Andorra and Croatia.

I see Scotland passing England in the rankings, this may be a first!

[hj2k_x]

Scotland's next games are against:
Northern Ireland, Macedonia and Iceland

England have:
Czech Republic,Andorra and Croatia.

I see Scotland passing England in the rankings, this may be a first!


The FIFA world rankings are nonsense and are to be ignored. We know France are not better than Russia and we know Romania are not better than Turkey. We have seen the clear evidence with our own eyes over the last month.

Yes, they are to be ignored. Except when England are about to be usurped by Scotland, that is. Because we're damned sure that will not be ignored north of the border - we can see the Daily Record front page, back page and eight-page pull-out special now.

Scotland have only been higher in the rankings than England for one month of their history - in June 1995 when England were preparing to host Euro 96 and were not playing competitive fixtures, while Scotland were busy winning enough games to get there.

There is no such excuse this time as England sit in 15th and Scotland in 16th spot.

So why exactly have England dropped six places in the rankings this month while Scotland have climbed one?

The answer is that the rankings are calculated from the last four years of results and we have just lost June 2004 and a quarter-final place in the European Championships from our records (for a real fall, witness Greece. Ouch).

The worry for any England fans who know any Scotsmen is that the next result to be expunged from the FIFA rankings records is a 3-0 win over Ukraine in August 2004. And what result will Scotland lose? A 3-0 defeat to Hungary. They will climb while England will fall.

There is only one way to stop Scotland overtaking England in the September 2008 rankings - beat the Czech Republic in August. Victory over a higher-ranked team should be enough regardless of whatever Scotland do against Northern Ireland.

Before anyone writes in and says that England have no divine right to be above anyone in the world rankings...you're right. But we do have the divine right to be gutted when that 'anyone' has Darren Fletcher as its stand-out player.
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,13320_3766233,00.html