Germany - Spain EURO 2008 FINAL
Germany - Spain
It’s exuberance versus experience, the nearly-rans against the winning mentality, as Spain or Germany will lift the European Championship trophy on Sunday.
The history behind these two teams going into the Euro 2008 Final could not be more different. The Furia Roja have just one piece of silverware in their entire trophy cabinet – the 1964 European Championship – and have not reached the Final since 1984. The Germans are the most successful side in this tournament and play the decider for the sixth time, having won in 1972, ’80 and ’96.
Their styles of football are also in sharp contrast, although for all Germany’s pragmatism they have scored 10 goals in the previous five games and won the knockouts against Portugal and Turkey by a 3-2 result. Joachim Low’s men have been unusually shaky at the back, although the entire squad has improved since switching to a lone striker system and leaving the unfortunate Mario Gomez on the bench. The versatility of Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger means they can take wide positions and cause serious problems for opposition lines.
Spain may also be forced to adopt a similar tactic, as top scorer David Villa is out of action. The Valencia star limped off during their 3-0 semi-final victory over Russia after taking a free kick caused a small tear in the back of his right thigh. “I'm a little sad that I won't be there to take part but it's better that a teammate who is fit plays instead of me, particularly as my injury has left me limping quite badly," said the man who has bagged four goals.
There are two options open to Luis Aragones, as although Daniel Guiza has proven himself on this stage with two goals coming off the bench, the impact that Cesc Fabregas had on the semi-final cannot be underestimated. The Arsenal midfielder replaced Villa after that injury and went on to set up two of Spain’s three goals against Russia. Considering the strength of Germany’s midfield, having Fabregas there could be the key. Bearing in mind also that Andres Iniesta is not in great shape and has looked sluggish so far, we could see Juventus transfer target Xabi Alonso step in.
Low does not have changes forced upon him, but he may well consider them anyway following the disappointing performance in the semi-final. Turkey were extremely unfortunate to go out 3-2 in stoppages to Philipp Lahm’s clincher and it will take a considerable step up in form to stop Spain. Simon Rolfes is likely to make way for Torsten Frings, who had failed a fitness test due to his broken rib ahead of that game only to come on for the second half anyway as Rolfes got a nasty knock to the head. Thomas Hitzlsperger also looks certain to be in the starting line-up in Vienna, as he was the one who set up Lahm’s dramatic winner.
The concerns are at the back, where Germany have been wobbly throughout the campaign. Jens Lehmann was far from blameless against Turkey and his confidence may have been hit, while there is precious little mobility from centre-backs Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker. When Fernando Torres and Fabregas are running at them, it’ll take every ounce of German calm to avoid pressing the panic button.
Euro 2008 has been dramatic and unpredictable from start to finish, so this Final looks set to be no different.
Key clash: Fernando Torres v Christoph Metzelder
These two have already battled many times in the Madrid derby, though Torres has developed his game in the last year at Liverpool. Real Madrid’s Metzelder is Germany’s man on the inside, having seen most of Spain’s players from close up and identifying their weaknesses, but he is not the world’s fastest full-back and so far his team’s defence has not impressed.
Italian connection
Spain progressed past the quarter-final stage thanks to a victory on penalties against Italy. That was also the only game they have not won in 90 minutes and in which they have failed to score. Although none of the squad members play in Italy, that could soon change. Xabi Alonso has been on the verge of joining Juventus for several weeks, while the Bianconeri are sending representatives to this Final to watch Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski. Luca Toni has said he is now cheering on Germany for his Bayern Munich teammates, but Fabio Cannavaro is a Real Madrid man on the other side of that divide.
Did You Know..
David Villa could become the first player since Marco Van Basten in 1988 to be both top scorer and the recipient of a winners’ medal.
Germany go into their record sixth European Championship Final, but there is a curious trend. They won in 1972, ’80 and ’96, losing the last clash in the ‘between’ campaigns of 1976 and ’92. If that continues, they are due a defeat in 2008.
The only Spanish triumph was when they were hosting the tournament in 1964 and saw off the USSR 2-1 in Madrid thanks to a late Marcelino strike.
Luis Aragones would be the oldest ever Coach to lift the trophy, aged 69 years and 337 days.
The Mannschaft have won three of their five meetings with Spain in major tournaments, but lost a friendly fixture 3-1 in February 2003. Germany have not beaten the Iberians since a 4-1 thrashing in August 2000.
Spain are the only group winners to get past the quarter-finals and could be the first side since 1984 to win the trophy after a 100 per cent record in the opening phase. France took that victory by beating Spain in the Final.
Germany (probable): Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm; Hitzlsperger, Frings; Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Podolski; Klose
Spain (probable): Casillas; Capdevila, Marchena, Puyol, Sergio Ramos; Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Senna; Silva, Fabregas; Torres
Ref: Rosetti (Ita)
It’s exuberance versus experience, the nearly-rans against the winning mentality, as Spain or Germany will lift the European Championship trophy on Sunday.
The history behind these two teams going into the Euro 2008 Final could not be more different. The Furia Roja have just one piece of silverware in their entire trophy cabinet – the 1964 European Championship – and have not reached the Final since 1984. The Germans are the most successful side in this tournament and play the decider for the sixth time, having won in 1972, ’80 and ’96.
Their styles of football are also in sharp contrast, although for all Germany’s pragmatism they have scored 10 goals in the previous five games and won the knockouts against Portugal and Turkey by a 3-2 result. Joachim Low’s men have been unusually shaky at the back, although the entire squad has improved since switching to a lone striker system and leaving the unfortunate Mario Gomez on the bench. The versatility of Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger means they can take wide positions and cause serious problems for opposition lines.
Spain may also be forced to adopt a similar tactic, as top scorer David Villa is out of action. The Valencia star limped off during their 3-0 semi-final victory over Russia after taking a free kick caused a small tear in the back of his right thigh. “I'm a little sad that I won't be there to take part but it's better that a teammate who is fit plays instead of me, particularly as my injury has left me limping quite badly," said the man who has bagged four goals.
There are two options open to Luis Aragones, as although Daniel Guiza has proven himself on this stage with two goals coming off the bench, the impact that Cesc Fabregas had on the semi-final cannot be underestimated. The Arsenal midfielder replaced Villa after that injury and went on to set up two of Spain’s three goals against Russia. Considering the strength of Germany’s midfield, having Fabregas there could be the key. Bearing in mind also that Andres Iniesta is not in great shape and has looked sluggish so far, we could see Juventus transfer target Xabi Alonso step in.
Low does not have changes forced upon him, but he may well consider them anyway following the disappointing performance in the semi-final. Turkey were extremely unfortunate to go out 3-2 in stoppages to Philipp Lahm’s clincher and it will take a considerable step up in form to stop Spain. Simon Rolfes is likely to make way for Torsten Frings, who had failed a fitness test due to his broken rib ahead of that game only to come on for the second half anyway as Rolfes got a nasty knock to the head. Thomas Hitzlsperger also looks certain to be in the starting line-up in Vienna, as he was the one who set up Lahm’s dramatic winner.
The concerns are at the back, where Germany have been wobbly throughout the campaign. Jens Lehmann was far from blameless against Turkey and his confidence may have been hit, while there is precious little mobility from centre-backs Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker. When Fernando Torres and Fabregas are running at them, it’ll take every ounce of German calm to avoid pressing the panic button.
Euro 2008 has been dramatic and unpredictable from start to finish, so this Final looks set to be no different.
Key clash: Fernando Torres v Christoph Metzelder
These two have already battled many times in the Madrid derby, though Torres has developed his game in the last year at Liverpool. Real Madrid’s Metzelder is Germany’s man on the inside, having seen most of Spain’s players from close up and identifying their weaknesses, but he is not the world’s fastest full-back and so far his team’s defence has not impressed.
Italian connection
Spain progressed past the quarter-final stage thanks to a victory on penalties against Italy. That was also the only game they have not won in 90 minutes and in which they have failed to score. Although none of the squad members play in Italy, that could soon change. Xabi Alonso has been on the verge of joining Juventus for several weeks, while the Bianconeri are sending representatives to this Final to watch Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski. Luca Toni has said he is now cheering on Germany for his Bayern Munich teammates, but Fabio Cannavaro is a Real Madrid man on the other side of that divide.
Did You Know..
David Villa could become the first player since Marco Van Basten in 1988 to be both top scorer and the recipient of a winners’ medal.
Germany go into their record sixth European Championship Final, but there is a curious trend. They won in 1972, ’80 and ’96, losing the last clash in the ‘between’ campaigns of 1976 and ’92. If that continues, they are due a defeat in 2008.
The only Spanish triumph was when they were hosting the tournament in 1964 and saw off the USSR 2-1 in Madrid thanks to a late Marcelino strike.
Luis Aragones would be the oldest ever Coach to lift the trophy, aged 69 years and 337 days.
The Mannschaft have won three of their five meetings with Spain in major tournaments, but lost a friendly fixture 3-1 in February 2003. Germany have not beaten the Iberians since a 4-1 thrashing in August 2000.
Spain are the only group winners to get past the quarter-finals and could be the first side since 1984 to win the trophy after a 100 per cent record in the opening phase. France took that victory by beating Spain in the Final.
Germany (probable): Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm; Hitzlsperger, Frings; Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Podolski; Klose
Spain (probable): Casillas; Capdevila, Marchena, Puyol, Sergio Ramos; Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Senna; Silva, Fabregas; Torres
Ref: Rosetti (Ita)
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