Spain became European champions for the second time after Fernando Torres's first-half goal in Vienna proved enough to defeat Germany in the final of UEFA EURO 2008™.
History an inspiration
Spain had won their only previous piece of silverware in this competition in 1964 and had not been beyond the quarter-finals of any tournament in 24 years, yet Luis Aragonés's men chose to use that history as an inspiration rather than a burden. After a strong start from Germany, seeking a fourth title themselves, Spain were the more dangerous side throughout an entertaining final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion although it took just one goal – in the 33rd minute, courtesy of Torres's pace, perseverance and unerring finish – to end their long wait.
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Germany | |
1 | Jens Lehmann |
3 | Arne Friedrich |
7 | Bastian Schweinsteiger |
8 | Torsten Frings |
11 | Miroslav Klose79 |
13 | Michael Ballack |
15 | Thomas Hitzlsperger58 |
16 | Philipp Lahm46 |
17 | Per Mertesacker |
20 | Lukas Podolski |
21 | Christoph Metzelder |
Substitutes | |
12 | Robert Enke |
23 | René Adler |
2 | Marcell Jansen46 |
4 | Clemens Fritz |
5 | Heiko Westermann |
6 | Simon Rolfes |
9 | Mario Gómez79 |
10 | Oliver Neuville |
14 | Piotr Trochowski |
18 | Tim Borowski |
19 | David Odonkor |
22 | Kevin Kuranyi58 |
Coach: Joachim Löw |
Spain | |
1 | Iker Casillas |
4 | Carlos Marchena |
5 | Carles Puyol |
6 | Andrés Iniesta |
8 | Xavi Hernández |
9 | Fernando Torres78 |
10 | Cesc Fàbregas63 |
11 | Joan Capdevila |
15 | Sergio Ramos |
19 | Marcos Senna |
21 | David Silva66 |
Substitutes | |
13 | Andrés Palop |
23 | Pepe Reina |
2 | Raúl Albiol |
3 | Fernando Navarro |
7 | David Villa |
12 | Santi Cazorla66 |
14 | Xabi Alonso63 |
16 | Sergio García |
17 | Daniel Güiza78 |
18 | Álvaro Arbeloa |
20 | Juanito |
22 | Rubén de la Red |
Coach: Luis Aragonés |
Germany | Spain | |
0 | Goals scored | 1 |
2 | Yellow card | 2 |
0 | Red card | 0 |
1 | Shots on goal | 7 |
2 | Shots wide | 5 |
22 | Fouls committed | 19 |
4 | Corners | 7 |
5 | Offsides | 4 |
27' 56'' | Ball. Poss. (time) | 25' 50'' |
51% | Ball. Poss. (%) | 49% |
08/06/2008 | - | Poland | 2 - 0 |
12/06/2008 | - | Croatia | 1 - 2 |
16/06/2008 | - | Austria | 1 - 0 |
19/06/2008 | - | Portugal | 3 - 2 |
25/06/2008 | - | Turkey | 3 - 2 |
10/06/2008 | - | Russia | 4 - 1 |
14/06/2008 | - | Sweden | 2 - 1 |
18/06/2008 | - | Greece | 2 - 1 |
22/06/2008 | - | Italy | 0 - 0* |
26/06/2008 | - | Russia | 3 - 0 |