The Final

[tm4tj]

What a poor start by both teams, the Spaniards are sitting too deep and punting long hopeless balls forward and the Gerry's look the most likely early doors although nothing much has happened after fifteen minutes...........woops, almost an own goal, that big ***** Lehmann made a reflex save to deny Spain...........first action so far

Great header by Torres from a Ramos cross, crashes back off the base of Lehmann's right hand post but bounces agonisingly wide of the follow up strikers.

Torres looking razor sharp on the break and forces a corner.  Nothing doing.

Fabregas forces Lehmann to do some work with long range effort easily saved, half an hour gone.

Jings, Torres is rapid, he outpaces defenders and squeezes ball past outcoming keeper from right side of eighteen yard box.

1-0 Spain.

Ol? Ol? Ol? Ol?...........Ol? Ol?...................Viva Espa?a

Spain in control and cut open the German defence again only for Silva to miscue a volley from fifteen yards.

Ballack felled 38 yards from goal, wasted free kick floated beyond everyone.  Neat interplay from Spain has Ballack dishing out some retribution.  Silva's heavy touch wastes good through ball in the box and it runs out.  Ballack back on after getting some attention for blood wound to the head I think.  Corner to Gerry's half cleared but return blocked for another corner to Germany from the other side.  Ballack getting involved again and needs to be booked soon, in fact he is now.  Another swift break by Spain sees them go from box to box, corner kick, should have done better.  Half time approaches and Spain looking the most comfortable on the ball and creating all the action so far, whistle goes to bring the first half to a close.

Half time Spain 1-0 Germany

Low key start to the second half, Spain still have the edge and Xavi fires in a vicious shot which ref gives a corner, much to Lehmann's consternation and from the resultant corner, Ramos almost flicks a shot towards the net.  Next up, almost a carbon copy of the opening goal but Lehmann is first to another through ball with sprinter Torres a close second.

Another Spanish cross whistles across the Germans box but no takers.  'Ouch', Ballack almost snatches an equaliser with a snapshot from twenty yards which ruffled the side net on the way past.  Still only 1-0 and you can never write off the Germans.  Kouranyi has come on as a substitute and the Germans are now responding with a couple of surges forward.....Schweinsteiger gains a corner after whacking a thirty yarder off a defender.  Germans certainly putting the effort in now.  Minor handbags with Silva pushing his forehead into Podolski's face...............seen people sent off for that indiscretion, 25 mins left for Germany to turn this round.  That was Silva's last manoeuvre, being replaced by Santi Cazorla, probably for the best.

Spain almos increase their lead but Lehmann equal to the task and Iniesta twice in as many minutes could have wrapped up the tie.  But as long as this game stays at only 1-0 the Germans won't give up.  Spains neat passing game is deservedly pushing them towards a long awaited European crown, with 73 minutes gone.  Torres booked for a challenge.   Spaniards playing themselves into a spot of bother, but swiftly transfer the ball to the opposite end where Torres does the defender but Lehmann reads it to smother the ball.  Kiss of death for Spain as Lawerenson said that this is the worst German team ever...............lookout.  Torres substituted now all six substitutes on the park as Spain break forward menacingly.  Ten minutes plus for Spain to hold on.  Great work by Senna as he carves open the Gerry's and almost gets on the end of the return cross, tantalisingly close to the clincher.  Once again Spain break forward but no helpers, although a corner was a decent second prize, free kick from the corner offers a chance from twenty five yards centre of goal but Xavi lifts it over the bar. Spain defending deep as Germans try to take the game to extra time, but offsides thwarts the Germans.  Spain have looked so comfortable all game and no one would have any complaints if they carried the tropy away after this one.  Lapse in the German rearguard almost gifts Spain an opening but the cross is blocked as Spain keep the Germans hemmed in.   Stifled laughs as Germans thought they were getting a penalty but decision goes to Spain, three minutes of added on time to wait.  Game is just slipping away from the Germans, as Spain once more rip the defenders a new erse with only one minute left.

Puyol is magnificent as usual as the Spaniards are on the cusp.....................Ol? Ol? Ol? Ol?...........Ol? Ol?

Viva Espa?a

Full time Spain 1-0 Germany...........waltz on.

Good display by the referee and his assistants.

Platini seems to be enjoying himself................now, there was a great player.

We are the champions rings around the ground as Motson signs off, Spains first title in 44 years.

[The Mantis]

..... and The Mantis lifts ?48 in the works sweep  :021: :021: :021: