Fernando Torres' 33rd minute poke proved the Championship-winning goal in today's Euro 2008 Final at the Ersnt Happel Stadion in Vienna. The Germans could simply not match the slick passing, clever vision, and swift counterattacks of the Spaniards.
For the Iberians, Joan Capdevilla and Sergio Ramos, at left and right back respectively, were both effective in swooping up the flanks in support of the amazing Andres Iniesta, the stalwart Senna, the superb Cesc, and the shublime Xavi, while lone ranger Torres out-hustled pretty much everyone on the pitch during miraculous spells of intensity. Central defensive chums Carles Puyol and Carlos Marchena Lopez anchored the defense and kept egregious blunders to a minimum. Coach Luis Aragones (soon to lead the way at Turkish club Fenerbache) decided to bring in Xabi Alonso for Cesc, a switch that provided the Spanish midfield a bit more of a conservative outlook on 63 minutes, and soon removed David Silva and Torres for Santi Cazorla and Dani Guiza, and the substitutes were able to contribute to Spain's continued free-flowing forward moves with some flair of their own.
From the German camp, however, clear-cut chances (a mere 4 shots created to Spain's largely superior 14) rarely threatened Iker Casillas, who was called upon mostly to intercept German crosses. Ballack was decent, seeing a volley of his from outside the box bounce inches wide of the post, as was Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was involved in most of the German attacks. A quiet night from Klose did not help the Mannschaft's cause, and Podolski, such a standout in earlier matches this tournament, seemed quite frustrated with his play at several points in the match. German sub Kevin Kuranyi (born in Rio de Janeiro to a German-Hungarian father and a Panamanian mother) was just awful, committing unnecessary fouls and never coming close to scoring. Mario Gomez did not impress either after coming on later in the match.
The worst performance from the German team must surely be attributed to Philipp Lahm; it was his inability to defend Torres correctly that allowed Spain to go 1-0 up shortly after the half-hour. A hopeful throughball from Xavi invited El Nino to burst by the weak Lahm and chip ever so deftly over Lehmann's charging horizontal figure. The ball trickled sweetly into the far side netting, and it was already the beginning of the end for Deustchland's hapless XI.
I do not mean to trash the German side inappropriately. It's just that the better team won the final today. Indeed, Joachim Loew's squad had been described earlier in the competition as "effective," "efficient," and "machine-like," and yes, the Germans normally execute with pitiless precision and use their size to their advantage on set plays. The creative element is often lacking, however, and in a final against a team of Spain's caliber, inspired and clever play is required to earn set pieces or chances on goal from the open game. This deficiency in creativity was evident from about 25 minutes into the match today once things settled and definitely stood in stark contrast to the attacking genius of the Spanish side, which was completely at ease hitting strings of smooth one touch passes around German defenders and willing to attempt difficult throughpasses to set up Torres and streaking wingers. If the Germans can learn anything from this devastating loss, it is that creativity and boldness trump fettered organization and rigidity.
It should be noted that Barcelona midfield custodian Xavi Hernandez in particular played an outstanding offensive game; whenever the attack came through him, it seemed as though Spain had a legitimate chance of scoring, and he exuded composed confidence while in possession of the ball and under pressure. He has always had a knack for making great decisions, and that brilliant quality of his was on display today for all to see as he led the Spanish Armada forward. In my mind, Xavi was the man of the match despite the fact that Torres notched the game-winner.
Congratulations to Spain on the team's first major triumph in 44 years!
1 comment:
viva espana.
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