Spain defeated Germany by a score of 1–0 in the Euro 2008 soccer championship final. It marks the first time since 1964 that Spain has won a major soccer tournament.
The Spanish team simply outplayed the Germans throughout the game, dominating possessions and creating better scoring chances. Fernando Torres' goal at the 33rd minute proved to be the difference.
Germany started out well with some decisive attacks as Spain looked a little nervous. After about 15 minutes, though, the Spanish team seemed to get a bit of an edge. The Germans were playing well, but couldn't seem to penetrate their opponent's defense quite as deeply or frequently as the Spanish could.
Half an hour in, the score was still tied at zero.
Then at 33 minutes, Torres made a brilliant run through the center of the German defense, pushed passed defender Phillip Lahm to run down a lead pass.
He then clipped a shot an instant before the charging Jens Lehmann could reach it, guiding the ball into the open net.
Two minutes later, German midfielder Michael Ballack got a serious cut over his eye from a head-to-head collision with Spanish midfielder Marcos Senna. Ballack got a few stitches, and Bastian Schweinsteiger got a free kick, but his delivery was poor and the Germans couldn't tie the game.
Ballack was involved in a number of questionable tackles throughout the half—sometimes when he was far from the ball. The German star seemed to be frustrated at the lack of passion from his side.
At 42 minutes, Ballack was given a yellow card—not for tackling, but for arguing with Spanish players and the referee.
Spain Owns Second Half
As the second half began, Spain began slowly as the Germans took the initiative.
Fifteen minutes in, German coach Joachim Löw brought in Kevin Kuranyi in an effort to pump up the German attack.
The strategy worked, as Germany immediately reversed the momentum, gaining many good scoring opportunities.
Spain brought in midfielder Xabi Alonso for Cesc Fabregas, who had a disappointing game, to give the team a more defensive setup with a one goal lead. Spain was in danger of losing the midfield battle.
At 67 minutes, Sergio Ramos nearly got a goal with a powerful header off a free kick, as Germany failed to mark him. It was Jens Lehmann's turn to shine. Spain kept the pressure up, as Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernández both got good chances.
As Spain came back strong—recapturing the momentum from the German team—Germany couldn't maintain its offensive pressure. During the second half, Spain created better opportunities than the Germans.
At 78 minutes, Spain sent in Daniel Güiza for Torres and Germany brought in Mario Gómez in place of Miroslav Klose, both sides hoping fresh legs could win the match.
Finally, with a minute left in regulation play, Germany realized that they needed to start using their height advantage by launching long balls into the Spanish end to try to win the headers. Unfortunately, the realization came late, and Germany didn't have enough time even to the score.
At the final whistle, it was Spain 1 and Germany 0 and the best team most certainly won. After decades of playing elite football, Spain finally has something to show for it.
Let the parties begin in Spain.
 Spanish players lift Spanish coach Luis Aragones aloft following Spain's victory over Germany in the UEFA Euro 2008 Final match. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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 Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany lies on the pitch dejected after Germany lost the UEFA Euro 2008 Championship. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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