Goal! Weekly Article 22: EURO 2008

GERMANY AND SPAIN TO BATTLE FOR EURO SUPREMECY
By Julius Ross

Less than three weeks ago, 16 European nations had aspirations and dreams of lifting the European Championship trophy.

Now only two sides remain; a result of 18 days of fascinating and unpredictable football, in the 13th European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

In yet another thrilling week of fixtures, Spain and Germany emerged as finalists from a series of intriguing matches which witnessed World Champions Italy, giant-killers Russia and come-back kings Turkey ousted from the tournament.

Spain and Italy kicked-off the final week of proceedings, in a highly anticipated clash between two of Europe’s big guns.

But the match proved to be a rare disappointment in a tournament of high drama and entertaining football, ending in a dull 0-0 stalemate after 120 minutes.

A part of the competition’s gloss was rubbed off when the two tactic-driven sides cancelled each other out, but there was an element of drama when the match was settled via the lottery of the a penalty shoot-out.

Spain dominated the majority of possession and play, but their intricate one-touch passing failed to find a chink in the Italian’s stubborn defensive line.

While Spain were unable to create clear goal chances with their possession, their midfielder Marcos Senna came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 81st minute, whien Gianluigi Buffon fumbled his drive onto the post.

The ultra-cautious Azzurri also carved out a rare chance in the 60th minute when Mauro Camoranesi’s opportunistic strike produced an instinctive stop by Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal.

The Real Madrid ‘keeper then became the hero of the penalty shoot-out, denying Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale and allowing Cesc Fabregas to bury his spot kick to set up a semi-final clash with Russia.

Luis Aragones’ side not only secured a semi-final place, but finally put to a rest a jinx which had seen the Spanish side lose three quarter-final penalty shoot-outs on the 22nd of June in various stages of the nation’s history.

Over the last 22 years, the Iberians had failed at the quarter-final stage of cup competition on three occasions, beginning with a World Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out loss to Belgium in 1986

On the same date ten years later, the Spanish succumbed to tournament hosts, England at Euro 1996.

Again a tournament host inflicted a penalty shoot-out defeat at the quarter-final stage of the 2002 World Cup on June 22; South Korea miraculously defeating the Spanish in the knock-out clash.

But on Monday, the date of June 22nd turned from a black day in Spanish history to one of celebration as the Spanish secured an historic 4-2 victory and put the ghosts of their previous failures, to rest.

After the final quarter-final clash had come to its dramatic conclusion, the tournament had a brief break for the first time in 16 days of action, but the semi-finals re-commenced competition in sensational style two days later when Germany and Turkey clashed in Basel.

Turkey were clear outsiders before kick-off, but their amazing ability to come from behind had been illustrated previously in the dramatic quarter final against Croatia and their 3-2 victory over the Czech republic in Group A action.

Germany were wary of Turkey’s ‘comeback King’ status and producing their own extraordinary late show with a dramatic Philip Lahm goal defeating Fatih Terim’s side 3-2.

It was Germany’s second 3-2 victory in the knock-out stages of the tournament, after they had defeated Portugal by the same score line in the quarter finals.

Turkey will exit the tournament full of pride, after exciting the fans of Austria and Switzerland with their remarkable displays and never-say-die attitude.

After Spain had progressed from their encounter with World Cup Champions Italy in the quarter-final, giant-killers Russia were the next test for Luis Aragones’ side.

Guus Hiddink’s side had proved quite the underdog in both the group and knock-out stages, progressing past Sweden, Greece and tournament favourites Holland, but were unable to continue their dream run, as Spain’s talent proved a barrier too large to overcome.

As they had in their first group match, The Spanish overran the Russians by a three-goal margin to record a tournament double over Hiddink’s men.

Spain managed a 3-0 victory without the services of hat-trick hero from the first match against Russia, David Villa, as he was substituted in the first half for what appeared to be a nasty foot injury.

Villa’s replacement, talented Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas proved the match winner, as he had done in the penalty shoot-out against Italy.

The 21 year-old playmaker set up two goals to send Spain into their first final since 1984.

Russia had been thoroughly outclassed in the clash, and failed to produce the inventiveness and slick penetrations that had enabled them infiltrate even the strongest of defensive opposition.

Once again Guus Hiddink would have been bittersweet about his achievements with underdog Russia; the Dutchman again failing to take a giant-killing side to a final appearance in a tournament, but managing a semi-final appearance is a huge achievement in itself.

His previous accomplishments included taking Holland (1998 World Cup), South Korea (2002 World Cup) and now Russia (Euro 2008) to semi final appearances, he will no doubt be disappointed at the failure once again to reach a major final in his illustrious coaching career.

As the tournament said goodbye to giant-killer Russia, come-back Kings Turkey and World Champion Italy, the focus is firmly centred on the Final in Vienna on Monday morning (AEST).

It will be hard to predict a winner, with both sides featuring impressive strike-forces, creative midfields and solid defences.

Spain will have to be wary of Germany’s set-piece ability and aerial ability, while the Germans will have to contain the speed and skill of the Spanish midfield and forward penetrations, and tighten up their defensive frailties which has seen them concede four times in the last two games.

Spain will be looking to secure their first Championship since 1964, while Germany can look back 12 years to their 1996 triumph on English soil.

Whatever the outcome, we hope that the final will encapsulate the drama, passion and excitement which has dominated the tournament over the past three week.