Spain 1 Germany 0
by Left Midfield
on Jun 29, 2008 10:23 PM BST
Spain are the Euro 2008 Champions
Congratulations Spain!
A wonderful performance of skill, poise and temperament was enough to see the Spanish remove 44 years of hurt and win a major international tournament.
Torres scored the only goal of the game in the first half with a lovely finish and played the role of single striker to perfection. In truth Spain were better all around the field. From the defensive rocks of Puyol, Iker C and Senna to the flowing play of their midfield to the striking ability of Torres, they were too much for Germany.
They really showed that at international level they are a power whose time has come and they will be among the favorites to win the World Cup in 2010.
Germany did well to get to the final but I think that they got some of their tactics wrong - Podolski should have played as striker. And they did not get performances of the highest quality from players they look to such as Ballack. However, they have a base to build on over the coming couple of years.
But today is Spain's day!
It has been a wonderful performance and they are worthy champions.
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well said
Spain deserved it. It was exciting to watch them push forward in attack even with the 1-0 lead throughout the second half. They were the best team of the tournament and deserved the championship.
"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner
by trza on Jun 29, 2008 10:31 PM BST 0 recs
I want to publicly call out odacrem
For letting me know who won via email when I had tivoed the game and was in the middle of watching it. ARRRRGGGHHH. Way to go and spoil the game for me ;-)
Seriously though, Spain looked great today. They could’ve won 2, 3 nil. I think Torres hit the post with an amazing header. And they had a couple of other great chances. While I do agree with some of the criticisms levied at Lehmann, I thought the German defender (don’t remember who it was) on the Spanish goal didn’t want the ball as badly as Torres did. He had body position and he should’ve NEVER been beaten on that play.
I definitely agree that Podolski should’ve been in the lineup today. Was he hurt or was that a coach’s decision? If it was the coach’s decision, that was an extremely poor one. I thought Schweinstagger (sp?) had the best game for the Germans. He generated a lot of their chances.
by Blez on Jun 30, 2008 2:49 AM BST 0 recs
I meant Podolski should've been at striker
I think they had him at midfield. I’m still wondering why they decided to do that.
Anyone who knows more have any input?
by Blez on
Jun 30, 2008 2:57 AM BST
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that's the point
He shouldn’t have played as winger. He’s much more effective up top.
"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner
by trza on
Jun 30, 2008 7:06 PM BST
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He was pretty effective on the wing for most of the tourney though. He is pretty comfortable out there.
by JasonB on
Jul 2, 2008 12:55 AM BST
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Schweinie
I agree that he was the best for the Germans. Lahm was a liability at left back. Torres ran a circle around him on that goal. Lahm should have at least gotten a handful of his shorts or something. Ballack also was a mess, just fouling people left and right. I think he must have been hurt. Lehman, to his credit, somewhat redeemed himself today. He had a decent game. As for Podolski, I don’t know why Loew put him out on the left. Klinsmann played him up top with Klose to great effect in 06. He was just lost out there on the wing.
"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner
by trza on
Jun 30, 2008 4:35 AM BST
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Schweinsteiger/Podolski
Not sure why Low felt that Podolski was best used out on the left, though it had worked reasonably well during the tournament up to this point. Seemed strange that when he wanted to go to a 4-4-2 he bought in Kuranyi and took off Hitzlsperger and kept Podolski on the left flank, rather than just moving Podolski to the front and Hitzlsperger out left.
Schweinsteiger had a good tournament all around but was maybe most dangerous early on when trying to get into the box (e.g. his goal against Turkey from Podolski’s cross); he probably would’ve generated more from out wide if Klose had been in better form.
After yesterday’s game I feel a lot better about the USA’s 1-0 loss to Spain. :)
by JoshNY on Jun 30, 2008 4:09 PM BST 0 recs
I watched the game in Cancun, Mexico with a ton of Spain supporters. Although I am mostly German… I donned my “El Nino” shirt and rooted on Fernando and the boys. Great atmosphere down here and great game from my perspective.
by JasonB on Jun 30, 2008 4:35 PM BST 0 recs
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