Euro 2008 championships final football

Spain claimed their first major title for 44 years after winning Euro 2008 with a deserved victory over Germany. Spain dominated the final throughout, with Torres heading against the post and Marcos Senna almost adding a second from close range after 80 minutes. Spain have long had a reputation as under-achievers on the big occasions, but this was a richly-merited victory for veteran coach Luis Aragones and a team that played outstanding football throughout the tournament.


Spanish teammates hold up the Trophy after the Euro 2008 championships final football match Germany vs. Spain on June 29, 2008 at Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria.

Germany were outclassed, and for captain Ballack his catalogue of misery in major finals continues having lost two Champions League finals and also been suspended for the 2002 World Cup final when they lost to Brazil.

Match-winner Torres enhanced the reputation he forged at Liverpool last season, but this was an all-round effort for a side that is young enough to already be marked down among the favourites for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.





The atmosphere in Vienna begins to build early in the day as fans prepare for Germany's clash with Spain







The Spain midfielder Xavi has been named the best player at Euro 2008 by Uefa's technical committee. The 28-year-old Barcelona midfielder, the heartbeat of his team's midfield during the tournament, was voted the Castrol player of the tournament by a nine-strong panel of Uefa's technical experts.

There was no place for Cristiano Ronaldo in the 23-man squad of the tournament, which included the Manchester United's keeper Edwin van der Sar, Michael Ballack and José Bosingwa from Chelsea, Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Tottenham-bound midfielder Luka Modric.