Euro 2008: The Final

So I got most of my predictions wrong (well, at least one of them is still in).....

Spain would love to shake off that underachiver title and end a forty-year wait for a major title. Having last won a major title (the European Cup) in 1964, Spain has been a consistent under-performer in subsequent World Cups and European Cups, having to bow out in the tournaments usually in the earlier rounds. Spain is one of the three nations that won all three group matches (the other being Croatia and the Netherlands). In the Quarter final, Spain met the old horses of Italian football whom they struggled to beat, having to rely on their keeper to save two Italian penalties and Fabregas to score the decisive penalty kick. They met the much-fancied Russian team in the semi-final, the only repeat of a group stage match where the Spanish beat the Russians with a convincing 4-1. Many thought that Russia would provide a much sterner and more difficult opposition, but Spain steam-rolled past the tired Russian players. Spain will heavily rely on their English Premier League contingent to deliver the goods. The likes of Torres, Fabregas and Alonso will play the main roles in the Spanish side. Casillas will remain their tower of strength at the back. Spain will definitely miss their top scorer, David Villa, who is almost sure to miss the final through an injury.

Germany turned out to be the surprise package in this tournament. Being unfancied even before the tournament started, Germany ended the group stages below Croatia to meet Portugal in the quarter final. It was a match many predicted to be an easy ride for the Portuguese, but experience mattered at the end of the match when Germany beat Portugal 3-2. In the semi-final against Turkey, many neutral fans rooted for Turkey and the match turned out to be the match of the tournament. Three goals in the final quarter of the match finally gave Germany the berth in the Final of Euro 2008. Germany will depend heavily on its attacking front, led by their talisman, Ballack, who seems to be doing rather well playing for his country than for his club. Germany would need to bolster up its defence and if Lehmann plays, lets just hope that he does not make any mistakes!

I think Spain will win Euro 2008, but it will not be easy for the Spanish. The match will probably be the match of the tournament, where the young ambitious Spanish team will tear the older, but wiser and more experienced German team apart in the end. But expect blood to be spilled and perhaps one or two red cards shown.....

Viva Espana!