Spain's little men outmaneuver Germany
VIENNA (Reuters) - Germany never give up easily but Spain passed them into submission in Sunday's Euro 2008 final as the perfect technique of their little men in midfield earned them a 1-0 win and a first major title since 1964.
Germany coach Joachim Loew was only too aware of Spain's greater skill but had hoped that hustling, aggressive performances from his players might deny them the time and space to make that superiority count.
It was wishful thinking.
Andres Iniesta, Xavi and David Silva, aided by Cesc Fabregas and later Xabi Alonso, ran the midfield with such outrageous ease that the only surprise was how Spain failed to score half a dozen goals.
Lone striker Fernando Torres supplied the coup de grace when his explosive pace and crafty eye for an opening proved decisive.
With just over half an hour gone, after Spain had put a slightly nervous opening spell behind them to take charge, Xavi changed the tempo of their attack with a pass for Torres to run on to.
Philipp Lahm got goalside of the forward only to hesitate. It was hardly even the blink of an eye, but it was enough for Torres to run around him and score with a perfectly placed chip into the net at Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's far post.
It was just one of a series of defensive lapses from Germany on a night when their own attempts to keep the ball at times bordered on the embarrassing.
Captain Michael Ballack, nursing a calf injury, was passed fit for the game but could never impose himself.
Centre backs Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker played as poorly as they had in a hair-raising 3-2 semi-final win over Turkey, and while Bastian Schweinsteiger gave it everything he had his delivery was terrible.
PINNED BACK
Germany briefly raised the possibility of a comeback in the second half, as some biting tackles threatened to pin Spain back for a while, but it was not long before Luis Aragones's team were back in control.
Over the final 20 minutes, when Germany should have caused at least a few nervous moments, they were simply too tired, which was not a surprise considering how hard they had to work simply to keep up.
It was the same in Spain's 3-0 semi-final win over Russia, when Guus Hiddink's side simply ran out of steam.
The Spanish are often referred to as under-achievers, but players like Torres, Iniesta, Xavi and Carlos Marchena have all experienced success at youth level in UEFA and FIFA tournaments.
They now have the major championship win the country craved, and the satisfaction felt by Aragones will be immense.
He came under great pressure in the media to recall Spain's leading scorer Raul but kept faith with a group who have played themselves into great form over an unbeaten run that now stretches to 22 matches.
On Sunday, they did their coach and their country proud with a passing game that was at times hypnotic. At any rate, it certainly seemed to send the German defense to sleep.
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
