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After 30 games over 3 weeks, Euro 2008
reaches its climax on Sunday as Germany take
on Spain in Vienna at 7:45pm. Despite being
labelled a ‘poor’ German team by many
pundits, they have, as they did in 2002 and
2006, overcome these criticisms to show you
can never write of the Germans. Nothing
illustrated this more than their 3-2 semi
final win over Turkey on Wednesday, as they
scored three goals in ten minutes to break a
heroic Turkish side which had just 13
available players.
As always Spain entered the competition
with great expectations, but this time there
was also a real belief amongst both the
squad and the fans that this side had the
resilience needed to win a major tournament.
So far that believe has been proved through
impressive results and performances against
tough sides like Italy and Russia, but can
they finally prove they can win when the
pressure is on?
Spain have been the neutral’s choice due to
their open and exciting approach, and are
the tournament’s top scorers with 11 goals,
one more than the Germans, while David Villa
is the top scorer so far with four, three of
which came in their opening game, where they
swept aside the Russians 4-1. Consecutive
2-1 wins in their final two group games
against Sweden and Greece earned them top
spot in Group D, and a quarter final clash
with the Italians.
The two sides took very different
approaches to the game, resulting in Spain
dominating the 90 minutes as their attacking
brand of football was restrained by the
Italians typical defensive position. Spain
had the best chances in normal time, coming
closest to scoring when Buffon spilled Marco
Senna’a shot, only to see it hit the post
and come back into his arms.
The match inevitably went to penalties
and looked set to favour the Italians, as it
looked as though they had played for that
outcome since the start History was also not
on Spain’s side, as they had previously lost
three quarter finals by penalty shot outs,
all on the 22nd June. However, this time
they held their nerve to win the shoot out
4-2, Casillas saving two kicks to give
Fabregas the chance to shoot the Spanish
into the final. Their semi final pitted them
against their opponents from the first
round, a Russian team this time with Andrei
Arshavin. The opening half was tight, with
both teams predictably cancelling each other
out following their opening group game.
The second half saw the attacking Spain
of the last three weeks emerge, with
Fabregas, who had come on for an injured
David Villa, opening the scoring on 50
minutes. Guiza and Silva then put the game
beyond the Russians with strikes in the 73rd
and 82nd minute respectively, to seal
Spain’s first tournament final place since
the Euros of 1984.
.
 Three
times champions Germany look to continue
their impressive form in this competition as
they enter their sixth final, but their
first in twelve years.
Although they started the tournament as
favourites, due in part to the relative
weakness of Group B, many people believed
their workman like team would struggle
against more skilled outfits once they
reached the knockout stages. Their first
real challenge came against a fancied
Portuguese team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo,
who had been impressive in their first two
group games. However, early goals from
Bastain Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose
gave the Portuguese a shock they could not
recover from, despite Nuno Gomes’ reply five
minutes from half time. Germany were never
truly stretched, and in the 62nd minute
Ballack sealed it with a header from a
Schweinsteiger free kick, despite Postiga’s
consolation goal three minutes from time.
Their semi final win over a depleted Turkey
was not as comfortable, as first they had to
come from behind, and then score in injury
time to seal their place in Vienna. They
were big favourites to beat the injury
ravaged Turks, but were outplayed in the
first half, and were fortunate to be level
at half time. Ugar Boral had given Turkey a
deserved lead after they dominated the
opening twenty minutes, but that lead lasted
just five minutes as Schweinsteiger flicked
in a cross from Podolski.
In a tight second half Klose looked to have
won it for the Germans ten minutes from time
as he capitalised on a mistake from Rustu to
head Germany into the lead. However the
Turks have made scoring late goals their
speciality in this tournament, and did it
again for the fourth game in a row, thanks
to Semih Sentruck, and everyone prepared for
extra time. Everyone except Phillip Lahm
that is, as his surging run from full back
caught the Turks napping, and he lashed home
Hitzlsperger‘s pass from six yardsto seal
Germany’s place in the final.
Bookmakers make Spain favourites at 6/5
(2.3), while the draw is 9/4 (3.25)
and the Germany win is 5/2 (3.5)
Well the big question is whether Germany can
continue to do what they do well, in
grinding out the results even when the side
is not playing well.
In answer to that question, that is a
definite no.
I just feel with Spain they overcame a huge
psychological barrier in overcoming the
Italians in the quarter finals, and they
simply have too much attacking wise for a
German back two of Christoph Metzelder and
Mertesacker, who have been appalling all
through the tournament, and lets not forget
that the man between the posts, Jens
Lehmann, who definitely does not inspire
confidence.
Betfair offer a
free £25 bet on this game
and
Spain @
2.3 is the call.
I was very impressed by the way Spain
passed the ball, and the inclusion of Cesc
Fabregas in place of the injured David Villa
should
work in
their
favour,
as the
Arsenal
man is
very
creative
and
linked
up
superbly
well
with the
front
players
against Russia.
Sergio Ramos has shown how good he is at
defending against pacy wingers down the
flanks and he out bossed the dangerous
Zhirkov and generally took him out of the
game,
which
should
take
away the
threat
of
Phillip
Lahm.
Even with the mighty Ballack in midfield, I
think Germany will just come up short on
Sunday.
Aragones to sign off his managerial career
with Spain by lifting the Euro 2008 trophy.
© Free-Bets.uk 2008
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