44 year wait finally over for Spain as they claim the Euro 2008 trophy
June 30, 2008
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In 1964 Spain won their first European title. In 2008 a 44 year wait for Spanish fans is finally over. In 1984 the Spanish team reached the final of the European Cup but since then they have failed to live up to expectations, that is until now.
A fantastic Fernando Torres goal in the 33rd minute where he outpaced Philipp Lahm before chipping delightfully over goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to score the only goal of the match. A pass from Xavi Hernández had released Torres on his way to scoring.
Several minutes earlier the post had denied Torres after he had shook off Per Mertesacker to create some space for a header only to see it bounce back off the upright.
The fact that Spain had not been this far in a major tournament since 1984 was seen as more of an inspriration rather than a burden as they entered the final against Germany.
At the start of the match the German team had been boosted with the news that their captain Michael Ballack would take part in the match after earlier talk of him being forced out with a calf injury.
Germany started the match looking better than Spain, however as time passed the Spaniards gradually took control of the match.
In the end Spain has finally delivered on the talent that comes out of the country. Now it remains to be seen if they can go on with things and claim the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Thunder and lightning nor Russia can stop Spain
June 27, 2008
Spain proved too good for Russia in the second semifinal at the Euro 2008 football tournament. Lightning was seen during the match as well as steady rain. This did not slow down Spain
Spain was in control for most of the match and scored goals through Xavi Hernández in the 50th minute, Daniel Güiza after 73 minutes and David Silva in the 82nd minute to wrap up the match 3-0.
Russian coach Guus Hiddink said it was Spain’s one touch style of play that wore down his Russian team. Russia could stay with Spain for an hour but it was too much to go the distance.
The final will now take place to two of the favourites at the beginning of the tournament as Spain faces Germany. For Spain it is the first major final that they will play since they lost the 1984 final to France. Spain won the European crown way back in 1964.
The first goal for Spain was setup on the left side by Andres Iniesta who evaded two defenders before firing a cross that was deflected in by Hernández.
Goal two came after a clever little chip pass put Güiza into the clear. He in turn chipped his shot into the back of the net.
The final goal was setup by man of the match Iniesta who delivered a nice pass to Cesc Fabregas who advanced the ball down the left side of the field before a centering cross to Silva who controlled the ball with one touch and then threaded the shot just past the goalkeeper and inside the left post.
The only bad thing to come out of the match for Spain is the news that David Villa was injured and will miss the final.
Germany knock the stuffing out of Turkey at Euro 2008
June 26, 2008
Turkey found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline in yet another exciting Euro 2008 match. I cannot remember a tournament that has had so many last minute goals to decide a match.
In the Euro 2008 semifinal between Germany and Turkey it looked as though the match was heading into extra time before a late goal to Germany’s Philipp Lahm settled the affair in the 90th minute. This time there was no amazing comeback from Turkey.
The fact that Turkey had levelled the match with an 86th-minute strike from Semih ?entürk was dramatic enough.
You would have been a supreme optimist to think the Turkish side would be able to summon one last dramatic equaliser. You can only do this so many times. Just like the run of Dinara Safina in the French Open where twice she came back from seemingly lost positions it is tough to do it four times running.
In this match it was Turkey who were first to score. It was through U?ur Boral’s in the 22nd-minute of the match. The lead was short lived as Germany hit back within minutes. This time it was Bastian Schweinsteiger who scored just four minutes later.
With 11 minutes left in the match extra time was looking likely before Miroslav Klose got on the end of a long cross and headed Germany into the lead. Turkish goalkeeper Rü?tü Reçber tried to reach the cross however Klose beat him to it.
Surely Turkey could not come back yet again, but comeback they did. It was Sabri who setup Semih with his cross being turned in for the goal that levelled the match.
Turkey would now feel the heartbreak of having the match snatched away from them in the dying moments as a one-two between Hitzlsperger and Lahm that saw the latter knock in the winner.
It was the end for a brave Turkish team that had thrilled so many football fans. They had pulled off the impossible against Switzerland, Czech Republic and Croatia with last-gasp goals however they could not do it this time around.
Germany deservedly advances to the final of Euro 2008 where they await the winner of the Spain-Russia match.
Will Spain and Russia be able to live up to the excitement of the first semifinal? If they can football fans are in for a treat.
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