Euro 2008 Final: Germany vs. Spain

Two giants of the game collide as Germany take on Spain in an epic Euro 2008 finale

June 27, 2008

By Mike Halford
Bodog Nation Contributing Writer

Spain are one win away from shedding all sorts of labels.

Constantly tagged with terms like "disappointment" and "underachievement," the Spanish national football team has always been synonymous with falling short. Despite a wealth of talent and arguably the finest domestic league in the world, Spanish football seemed incapable of translating to success in international tournaments.

Until now, that is.

Spain have exorcised several demons en route to the 2008 European Championship final. Consider the following myths:

1. Can't beat upstart teams: La Seleccion has been on the wrong end of some of soccer's most famous upsets. Losing 3-2 to Cyprus in Euro 2000 qualifying. A quarterfinal loss to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup. Losing out on goal difference to Greece in the group stage of Euro 2004. Spain reversed this trend with an emphatic 3-0 drubbing of red-hot Russia in the semifinals and a win over Italy (themselves fresh off a 2-0 win over France) in the quarters.
   
   
2. Can't get past the quarterfinals: Spain was famously eliminated in the quarters at Euro 1996, Euro 2000 and 2002 World Cup; the Round of 16 at World Cup 2006; the group stage at Euro 2004. The upcoming game against Germany will be Spain's first major final in 24 years.
   
   
3. Can't win shootouts: Eerily, the national team has lost three penalty shootouts on June 22 - losing to Belgium in the 1986 World Cup, England in Euro 1996 and South Korea in the 2002 WC all on that day of the year. This June 22, Spain beat Italy 4-2 on the strength of two Iker Casillas saves.

What Spain have accomplished leading up to the final pales to what they'll accomplish with a tournament win. Should they beat Germany, Spain will have run the table for the first time in a major, having already knocked off Russia (x2), Sweden, Greece and Italy. With that, let's take a look at the major storylines heading into Sunday's big match:

Torres will carry the striking load if Villa is out. (AP Images)

Frings In: German midfielder Torsten Frings has declared himself ready to go after playing 45 minutes versus Turkey in the semifinal. Frings is suffering from a broken rib but insists that he would start himself on Sunday if he was in coach Joachin Low's shoes.

Villa Out?: Some conflicting reports as to whether top tournament scorer David Villa will be available for the Spanish squad. After picking up a nasty thigh strain against Russia, the Valencia man ruled himself out for the final. That's in direct contrast to the Spanish Football Federation, who have since stated that he could play.

Opening Goalscorer: Bodog has listed Spain's Fernando Torres as a 5/1 favorite to score the opening goal of the match. An interesting choice considering his poor goalscoring record in the tournament thus far. The rest of the list:

The smartest money might be spent on Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger, who at 14/1 could very well break open the floodgates.

Ballack is at 9/1 to score the opening goal. (AP Images)

Metzelder - "Spain are self-destructive": Rugged German center-back Christoph Metzelder has gone on the verbal offensive, suggesting that the Spanish have a penchant for internal implosion on the biggest footballing stages. Metzelder told reporters that "the Spanish have real respect for us, but there is a self-inflicted trauma in the team.

"It has taken them decades to move beyond the quarter-final of a tournament and that could be a factor.

"They will respect that, but this is a big game and big games have a different set of laws."

Consider that major whiteboard material for Spanish coach Luis Aragones.

Formations: Low will have to decide whether to stick with the 4-5-1. While it's produced six goals in the last two games, it's also given up four and looked extremely shaky against Turkey in the semifinals. Aragones has played a 4-4-2 all tournament long but might have to switch to a 4-5-1 himself with Villa unlikely to play. Torres would then become the lone frontrunner.

Prediction: The Spanish whitewash of Russia was a sight to behold, evidence that the side might be more capable than initially thought. While Germany are favored and have championship pedigree, there's something about the way Aragones has brought his side together in recent weeks. It'll be a tight contest for sure, but I like Spain to emerge the victor.

TOP PHOTO: All eyes will be on Fernando Torres in Sunday's final. (AP Images)