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A first-half goal from Liverpool’s Fernando Torres was enough to beat a defensively inept German side in Vienna. Torres struck just after the half hour mark, after muscling his way past Lahm and poking it over the advancing Lehmann.
Predictably the match started as a relatively scrappy affair, with neither team able to take the initiative. Nerves were surely playing a big part, as both Germany and Spain tried to ‘play themselves in’. Spain were seeing a lot of the ball, but were happy to play it around at the back, while the German’s were closing down quickly, and attempting to gain some early control.
Spain - in my opinion - have played the best football throughout this summer’s tournament. It seemed a little strange then, that in the first 20 minutes the Spanish appeared to be playing a long ball game.
It was to the Spanish though, that the first real chance fell. In the 15th minute Xavi played Iniesta through brilliantly, who then cut inside onto his right foot. His driven cross/shot deflected off Metzelder towards goal. Lehmann was equal to it though, as he palmed it behind for a Spanish corner.
Torres soon began to impose himself, and the German’s were struggling to cope with him. Three times in 4 minutes the Liverpool forward threatened Lehmann’s goal - including heading against the post after 25 minutes from a Ramos cross.
Spain were starting to look more and more confident, and were playing the ball around brilliantly.
Just before the half-hour mark, Germany had a shout for handball in the penalty area turned down by the Italian referee, and rightly so. Ballack’s volley hit Ramos in the ribs, and there was no chance of any hands being involved.
Under 5 minutes later though, and Germany had a far more convincing penalty appeal, and again it was for handball. Capdevila was the defender involved this time, and the ball bounced up and DID hit him in the arm. The referee either did not see it, or more likely, classed it as ball to hand.
As Spain counter attacked, it took a good challenge from Mertesacker to stop Torres getting through on goal. But, it didn’t take long for the lone striker to do one better.
Fabregas played the ball over the top, and Torres overpowered Phillipp Lahm before knocking the ball over the advancing Lehmann and into the net. 1-0 Spain, and a fully deserved lead.
The remainder of the half belonged to a rampant Spain, who were easily on top, and could have extended their lead. 1-0 it remained though as the half-time whistle was blown.
The second-half started with the first substitution of the final, and unsurprisingly it was made by Germany coach Low. Phillipp Lahm was taken off for Marcell Jansen. With the first 15 minutes of the half played, it was obvious Germany were going to have to change something - and quickly. The Spanish were still in complete control, with Germany not looking at all competitive.
No surprise then, that on the hour Low replaced a completely ineffective Hitzlsperger with striker Kuranyi, and shuffled the formation to a 4-4-2. Just 2 minutes later, and Germany finally had a decent chance. A rare error by the Spanish defence - namely Carlos Puyol - let in substitute Jansen. As the ball ends up with Ballack, he sends his volley narrowly wide.
This chance seemed to ignite some much needed German passion. Just 2 minutes had passed when Casillas had to touch Ballack’s cross away from the approaching Kuranyi. Within 60 seconds the German’s broke away again. However, Schweinsteiger’s shot deflected off Miroslav Klose for a goal-kick. The German fans were responding to the team’s attacking spell.
Spain were lucky not to be down to 10 men just a couple of minutes later. Podolski and Silva lock heads, until the Spaniard moved his head in the direction of Podolski - who held his face. How much contact there was was unclear, but any movement of the head is an automatic red card. If Podolski had collapsed on the floor and rolled around a little, Silva may well have been off. Another example of just why some footballers are a little theatrical. The ref simply awarded a free-kick to Germany, and told everyone to calm down.
A good management decision by Aragones as he removed Silva from the action. The Spaniard was lookig hot-headed, and a sending off could very well destroy Spain’s hopes.
With 20 minutes remaining, Spain really should have doubled their lead. The awful Jansen plays Sergio Ramos onside from a free-kick curled in from the right - leaving the Spanish defender with a free header which was well saved by Lehmann. If Ramos had headed back across goal however, it would surely have been a second.
The last quarter of an hour saw Spain continue to control the match. Germany looked tired, and out of ideas - while the Spanish still looked full of flair, and imagination. Time after time Xavi was playing Torres in - only for him to be stopped by a last-ditch tackle, or simply beaten by his own touch.
Even with just a few minutes remaining, it only looked like Spain who were capable of scoring. Senna missed a Cazorla header across goal by mere inches with his outstretched leg.
As the final whistle was blown, predictably the Spanish party started. Spain have not won a trophy for 44 years - far too long for such a footballing nation. In my opinion they deserve the win. They have been the best footballing team throughout the 3 weeks, starting as they meant to go on with a 4-1 demolition of Russia in their first group match. The German’s were lucky to even be appearing in Vienna tonight - and certainly did not deserve to win.
Thankfully for the good of the competition, a true footballing side came through and won the trophy. Congratulations to Spain. Oh, how I’d like to be on the streets of Madrid tonight!
Vienna tomorrow night, hopefully without a storm cutting out the power.
At last the Final is here and I’m gutted about it. I want this tournament to go on forever but on Monday morning, I’m going to be down in the doldrums on the way to work as if I’ve just been dumped by Cheryl Cole for a womanizing Chelsea defender. This Euros has been the most thrilling ever and in the Ernst Happel Stadion tomorrow, it’s going to be Goodnight Vienna with either Spain or Germany lifting the prize in the greatest Euros of all time.
There are far too many highlights to mention here, although we’ll do another blog about that later in the week. For me, the main ones were The Dutch teams total dominance of Group C. Mauling Italy, France and Romania and in the style they did it was out of this world. Wesley Snieijers breakaway goal will long live in the memory. Also the form of Turkey who defied the odds 3 times with the exceptional comeback against The Czechs the pick of a fine bunch with the fantastic Arda, Nihat & even our Leyton Born Kazim Richards becoming a national hero in his adopted country and Kebab shops world wide?
Gunter Netzer. Former star player. Head strong. Incredibly talented. Un-German in his football vision. Grumpy like his Dutch alter-ego Willem van Hanegem. He is not a real fan (”Most of the time I am not impressed with how the game is played”). He is not a fan. He is a critic.
In front of the German ARD cameras, he said: “What Holland showed is brilliance. Utter brilliance. You hardly see this type of play in international football. You are under pressure against France and the coach plays two extra strikers. That is just out of this world.”
Former German team manager Rudi Voller once had a huge row with Netzer, live on telly. He had just said that Voller should start to teach his players how to play football. Netzer will never budge.
Netzer: “Van Basten took an incredible risks, but he is capable of forcing his luck. It paid dividends and Marco won the match for the Dutch.”
The German icon sees the Dutch confidence (Dutch courage anyone?) as Oranje’s strongest asset. “It starts with Van Basten, who was uncompromising in his four years stint. He never backed down for criticism, went his own way. He battled Van Bommel, Van Nistelrooy, Seedorf, Cruyff even and many reporters but went on to do his thing, with his team. They have the guts to play their own game, with their incredible talents.”
The whole world looks with admiration towards the peformance of the Dutch. First they serve off Italy, then France. Two behemoths in World football.
The Guardian: “This match reminds us why we love football. I want to see every match played like this. And let’s be happy England isn’t here. Our boys would be cut to mince meat by the Dutch.”
It’s the turn around in particular that catches the imagination. “I am high at the moment. They only need 25 seconds or less to move from their own goal line to the net of the opponent. I don’t know what to say, it is football from another planet.”
“Now it’s clear why they call this the Group of Death. It’s because Holland plays in this group and they kill off every opponent.”
And: “Oranje re-invented football. Again! Five players running at the opponent in unison, creating space, combining, dummies and converting their chances. It’s attack, attack, attack… Fantastic play. We want more more more…”
Team manager Van Basten gets the praise he deserves, at last. “What a star! Among all those big name and lesser big name players, he is the main man. Which manager would actually play Van Persie and Robben to defend a lead?”
“This team brings a huge smile to my face. Football nowaday is cynical, negative. Van Basten should come to England to do master classes with our English managers. Many many thanks, Mr Van Basten.”
The Guardian also recognizes the luck Oranje had. “And when needed, Van Basten is even allowed to play a second goal keeper, this case Andre Ooijer. Why not?”
Still, the title is maybe not for the taking for Oranje. “Holland plays great, fantastic. But they won’t win the title. Their success will go to their heads. Like the Heineken beers on a Saturday night. It’s their biggest weakness and they still don’t realize that.”
“If justice exists in football, and it doesn’t, Oranje should win this.”
Sadly, it will become one of the defining images of this tournament: Alexander Frei limping off the pitch in tears in his hometown of Basel, his European experience as a host finished because of torn ligaments in his knee. Worse yet, Switzerland played like victors, but ended the game with a loss, sending their knockout hopes into further disarray, a cruel post even failing to offer up the consolation of a draw. There could be no better example of adding insult to injury.
MRI results recently released show the ligaments and gave confirmation on what everyone knew, that Frei’s tournament was over just 44 minutes into the games. Switzerland’s all time goal leader and captain will have to be replaced, though the possibility of anyone approaching his contributions are slim and none. Kobi Kuhn agrees, and says this is nothing short of a disaster:
“It is a shock, a disaster to lose our captain in the first game…..This is football.”
Unfortunately it is football, a game which can be very, very cruel. Frei worked long and hard to get back to form and fitness this year after losing so much time with Borussia Dortmund due to injuries, giving him the chance to play at home. Now his dream is over, and a long road is ahead.
Perhaps he can look to the story of Vacislav Sverkos, as painful as it may be, for inspiration. Two years ago he lost his son and went on a long stretch without any on field productivity, understandably so. Now, in his first ever competitive cap for the Czech Republic, he’s the hero. After the goal he kissed his tattoo emblazoned with his son’s name, Maxim. No one in the stadium today deserved that goal more.
Here’s to a speedy recovery for Alexander.
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Manchester City have opened up talks with Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes as Chelsea can only watch in dismay. Rovers are expected to the give the go ahead today. Mark Hughes having a very successful season in charge of Blackburn has attracted attention for a lot of clubs seeking a new manager. He was one of the high priorities on Chelsea’s shortlist. This coming not to long after reports of Avram Grant the ex-Chelsea Manager being linked into a Managerial Job with Manchester City earlier this week.
Sensationally, Ex-Manager Jose Mourinho has joined Inter Milan after also being linked with Chelsea due to the papers stating that he has admitted he wants to rejoin Chelsea Football Club and would like to be their manager again. Meaning that Chelsea will need to pick up the pace if they are interested in signing Mark Hughes as their future manager.
A club statement said: “Mark has made it clear to the board he would like the opportunity to talk to Manchester City.
“An approach has been received from Manchester City to talk to him with regard to becoming manager.
“In view of this the board have decided reluctantly to give him permission.”
After a rough season; finishing runners-up in the Premiership and ending up only Finalists in the Champions League having succumb to Manchester United. They now find themselves in a difficult position, of which they need to find a new manager that will take hold of the current situation at Stamform Bridge and guide them back to their winning ways. Hughes has already met with Rovers chairman John Williams, stating his intentions to leave the club for the challenge with Manchester City. Williams already has Sam Allardyce at the top of his wanted list to replace Hughes.
Holland winger Ryan Babel will miss Euro 2008 after tearing ankle ligaments in training.
Babel is expected to be out of action for several weeks and will therefore not take part in the summer showpiece in Austria and Switzerland.
The Liverpool attacker sustained the injury a day before Holland play their final pre-tournament friendly, against Wales in Rotterdam.
Holland coach Marco van Basten has not named a replacement for the 21-year-old although he is permitted to do so once Babel has been examined by a UEFA doctor.
The Dutch will line up alongside France, Italy and Romania in Group C. Their first match is on June 9 against world champions Italy.
Despite the injury blow, Holland boss Marco van Basten has delivered an ominous warning for John Toshack’s Wales ahead of their meeting at Feyenoord’s sold-out De Kuip stadium, demanding a flurry of goals to send his side into the Euro 2008 finals on a high.
That will be worrying for Welsh ears, because the last time they faced Holland they were thrashed 7-1 in Eindhoven in 1996, and Van Basten clearly wants a similar scoreline against a country they have beaten on all five previous meetings between the side.
“We must be more clinical and take our chances. This team has matured over the last two years and everywhere the expectation is so much higher, not surprisingly,” he said.
“But we cannot allow ourselves to let teams off the hook when we are making chances and on top.”
Former Manchester United ace Ruud van Nistelrooy scored early on against the Danes, but Holland could not build on that opener.
And now Wales could feel the backlash with a young, inexperienced side set to line up against the Dutch.
Before Babel broke down Van Basten reduced his squad to 23 after Wigan defender Mario Melchiot proved his fitness after struggling with a groin problem. The three unlucky players to step down were keeper Sander Boschker, Denny Landzaat and Khalid Boulahrouz.
Wales could find themselves facing virtually Van Basten’s strongest side, but Arsenal’s Robin van Persie is unlikely to be risked as he is still suffering from a thigh problem.
Van Basten, perhaps significantly, made a point that the forward had been risked too soon by the Gunners at the tale end of the season.
He said: “We are not going to do that because Robin is a special player we would rather see in the side to face Italy.
“He came back too quickly last season and had a relapse. Our doctors believe it is better to allow him to recuperate as long as possible rather than risk him being injured in a friendly.”
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