Jun 29 2008
Is the Final Count down - Euro 2008 Final Germany Vs Spain
Tonight, the final 2 team left in the Euro 2008 will fight for the silverware in Vienna. Both, Germany and Spain is hungry to be crown as the Euro 2008 champions. Spain can end a 44-year wait to be crowned European champions if they reproduce the same form in Sunday’s final against Germany that they showed to beat Russia 3-0 in the semi-final on Thursday. Germany, in contrast, will have to play far better than they did in their 3-2 semi-final win over Turkey in Basel on Wednesday if they are to win the title for the fourth time.
Germany have won three World Cups and three European Championships, having reached at least the semi-finals a staggering 18 times in total.Spain, however, have reached the last four just four times - including this year - with their best finish in a World Cup being fourth place in 1950 and them having won the second ever Euro on home soil in 1964 and being losing finalists 20 years later.So this is just their third final - all of them in Euros - and what will inspire them is the opportunity to emulate the French team that beat them 2-0 in the Euro 84 final and win the tournament having made a clean sweep of their group, an incredibly rare feat. An outstanding tournament has produced two worthy finalists at the Ernst Happel stadium who should cap three glorious weeks of soccer with a fitting finale.
Head to Head
Germany have the edge on Spain in head-to-head meetings in the past, having won eight, drawn five and lost six. Spain have the most recent bragging rights, having beaten Germany 3-1 in 2003 with a brace from Raul and another from Real Madrid team-mate Guti. Meanwhile Germany last won in 2000 by four goals to one, with Michael Ballack the only member of that team still present in today’s squad.
Team Line up
Germany
Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm; Schweinsteiger, Frings, Ballack, Hitzlsperger, Podolski; Klose.
Spain
Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): Casillas; Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila; Iniesta, Xavi, Senna, Fabregas, Silva; Torres.
PLAYER TO WATCH IN THE FINAL
Germany
Michael Ballack:
He is Germany’s captain. Having been on the losing side in all the major finals of his career so far, he will certainly be looking to make amends for that tomorrow night - if he can play. Reports have emerged that he has aggravated a calf injury and is in serious doubt for the final, which would be the second major one he has missed in his career, having also sat out the 2002 World Cup loss to Brazil. However, his range of ability - from penalties and free-kicks to headers and long shots - means he could still pose a threat in almost any capacity.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
His set-piece delivery has been magnificent - setting up two goals against Portugal - and his runs into the box have seen him grab one in each of the knockout games so far as well. Beside, as you guys can see, he also have a gorgeous girlfriend. Ha!
Lukas Podolski:
Not only he is Germany’s top scorer but he is also the top scorer in this tournament so far.His work-rate, anticipation, direct running and absolute bullet of a shot have made him one of Germany’s most uncontainable players. Almost all of Germany’s attacking play and goals have come from his and Philipp Lahm’s left flank.
Spain
Cesc Fabregas:
Spain’s super-sub of the tournament and most impressive player for that exact reason. Few would expect someone to come off the bench and produce results so consistently over such a short space of time, but the 21-year-old show to the world that he can do it.
Fernando Torres:
The Liverpool ace has delivered just one goal in four appearances so far. His movement has been good and his running potentially dangerous, the finishing touch has been found wanting, and that is something Spain will not be able to afford tomorrow night. He need to grab the chance and not waste it.
PREDICTIONEither side will not allow themselves to be beaten in normal time, and whoever concedes first will most likely strike back and take the game into extra time. It is a game of passion and the final winner will be Germany.
Germany 2-2 Spain ( 3-2 in Extra time) Cheers…… Or Germany 3-1
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