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Germany vs Spain: Live Score and Updates
What is the coming attraction in the football world? I think the answer of the question is even easier than the answer of another question: how many players a soccer team consists of on the field. Yes, Germany vs Spain final match of Euro 2008 is the latest catch in world football with supporters of both sides eagerly waiting for a classic match. The match will take place at the Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna in Austria on 29 June 2008. Not only the European fans, but also football fans across the world have kept an eye on this match to know the next European champion.
Match: Germany vs Spain, Final Match, Euro 2008
Date: 29 June 2008, Sunday
Venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna in Austria
Kick off: 19:45 (British Standard Time)
Three times Europe Champions Germany and the winner of Euro 1964, Spain are the two football powerhouses. There is no doubt; both Germany and Spain were among the favorites of Euro 2008 tournament before the kick off of the tournament. Both teams showed some excellent piece of football in their way to the final. Germany seemed to be out of track after losing to Croatia in the group stage, but they came back in style defeating Austria, Portugal and tournament’s surprise package Turkey. Spain, on the other hand, is unbeaten in the tournament.
Spain is now dreaming of winning their second Euro title after 44 years as Spain won the title of 1964 European Championship. The last time Spain reached the final of a Euro tournament was 24 years back in 1884 European Championship where they were beaten by host France in the final. Since 1984, Spain did not reach the semi final of any tournament of Euro before the ongoing Euro 2008. So, in Euro 2008, Spain has already earned something that they did not earn for the last two decades. Thus, Luis Aragones boys seem not to be under pressure because they have already achieved something to cherish about. However, it does not mean that Spain will leave even a slightest of ground for Germany in the final. Rather, I guess, Spanish players are gearing up to win the title of Euro 2008 tournament.
Germany, in contrast to Spain, is the most successful team in the history of European Championship with three titles to their credit. Moreover, Germany holds the record of highest 10 times appearance in European Championship. Last time Germany won the Euro title was in 1996. However, since then their performance was poor being knocked out of the previous two tournaments from the group stage. Coming into Euro 2008 in the back of disappointing performance in the previous two tournaments, Germany was ready to take any challenge up to prove their ability once again in European Championship and they did it pretty much successfully, despite the blow received from Croatia in the group stage. Now, Germany is also look to win their fourth Euro title. Germany won Euro titles in 1972, 1980 and 1996, besides two runner-up titles in 1976 and 1992. So, Germany has quite a lot success stories in the tournament to take inspiration from ahead of the final match.
Germany vs Spain: Road to the Final
The road to final was different for Germany and Spain. When Spain reached the final with 100 percent winning record, Germany had to face some problem in securing a spot in the quarter final stage. Germany started the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Poland. However, Germany suffered a blow in the second match being defeated to Croatia in the second match leaving Germany in a must-win match against Austria in the final group match. Germany won the match 1-0 and won a quarter final place as the group B runner up.
In the quarter final, Germany faced in form Portugal and football analysts were skeptical about Germany’s progress to the next round ahead of the Portugal match. However, Ballack and his team mates outclassed Portugal 3-2 in an entertaining match in the quarter final. Germany faced Turkey in the semi final and knocked them out 3-2 showing excellent performance throughout the match. Thus they reached the final and waiting to face Spain in the tournament final.
Spain started Euro 2008 campaign in style by defeating Russia 4-1 thanks to the hat trick from David Villa, tournament’s current top scorer. In the second match, Spain defeated Sweden 2-1 and confirmed their entrance in the quarter final as the Champion of Group D. Thus Spanish coach featured a second string side against Greece in the last group stage match that Spain won by 2-1 after coming back from 1-0 down in the match.
Spain faced Italy in the quarter final and outclassed the current world champions 4-2 in penalty shootout after the goal less 120-minute action. Spain then defeated in-form Russia 3-0 in the semi final to reach the final or Euro 2008. Now, Span is gearing up to claim their second European Championship title in this tournament.
Germany vs Spain: Head to Head and Recent Form
Germany and Spain faced each other four times so far, with both teams winning once each and other two matches ended in draw. Last time, the two teams met was in a friendly match in 2003 where Spain defeated Germany 3-1 which came three years after Germany’s 4-1 triumph in another friendly match in 2000. Out of their four meetings, three were in friendly matches, while the only match held between Germany and Spain in a competitive tournament came in 1994 world cup, where the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
So, in terms of head to head performance, both sides have similar success. However, if you look back to their recent performance, Spain is way ahead of Germany. To be honest, Spain holds a seemingly incredible form of recent with 21-match unbeaten streak in which Spain won all of its last 11 matches in all competitions.
Germany, on the other hand, won five out of their last seven matches besides a defeat and a draw. So, their performance is not flawless. However, I think, Germany has been in an excellent run at this moment after three straight victories at the crucial stage of the tournament. So, I do not think that, Germany’s recent form could give any indication of relax for Spain, while Germany even does not need to worry about the excellent form of Spain because it is going to be a different match. In fact, Spain and Germany will not bother about their past, rather they will emphasize on the match.
David Villa Out of Euro 2008 Final against Germany
It is really bad news for the fans of Spain as in form striker David Villa is facing a thigh injury and could miss the action of final match against Germany. Though Spain coach Luis Aragones earlier said wrote off his chances of playing in the final match due to a thigh strain, Aragones later on admitted that he would again assess the condition of Villa before keeping him out of his plan for the final match. However, the striker is disappointed with his injury, but happy with team’s success. If David Villa can not be fit in time for the final match, Cesc Fabregas is expected to be in the starting line up of Spain. The centreal midfielder could be vital for Spain in the final.
Sky Sports reported:
"I injured myself first of all while sprinting, but the pain got worse and it went when I took the free-kick," Villa told reporters.
"At the start I was really upset because I knew it was going to be very difficult to play in the final if we got there. But after the way the team played in the second half I cheered up and now am really happy despite everything.
"I just want to enjoy Sunday and celebrate winning the European Championship with everyone else.
"This is an achievement for the whole squad and we want to take the glory on Sunday."
Germany coach Joachim Low Praises Spain
Joachim Low praised Spain for their scintillating performance in the 3-0 victory over Russia in the semi final. The Coach indicated Spain’s continuous performance in tournament. Low gave special attention to the Spanish midfielders and was full of praise for the Spanish midfielders.
Sky Sports reported:
"The Spaniards put in an impressive performance," Low told the DFB's official website.
"They have played the whole tournament at the highest level and have been technically very good.
"They proved in impressive fashion that they were the better team against the Russians and they have a more varied game than the Portuguese.
"Their midfielders constantly change positions and keep getting forward - all of which makes them hard to work out."
So, it is pretty clear that Low will have special plan for the midfielders like Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández and Cesc Fàbregas in the final match.
Christoph Metzelder: The Spanish Spy for Germany?
The defender plays for Spanish club Real Madrid in club football. However, ahead of the final match against Spain, Christoph Metzelder has come into lime light linking his connection with Real Madrid. Reports have it that the defender could provide important information regarding Spanish football from his own experience. He might know very well how to defeat his Real Madrid team mate goal keeper Iker Casillas. Terming Casillas and defender Sergio Ramos as a good colleagues, Metzelder said that his relationship with Casillas and Ramos will be put aside for the match.
AFP reported:
With Real team-mates goalkeeper Iker Casillas and defender Sergio Ramos in the Spain side, Metzelder says his friendship with them will be put on hold for the final's 90 minutes.
"They are good colleagues and I am looking forward to talking to them after the final, but for those 90 or 120 minutes, we will put our friendships aside," said Metzelder.
Euro 2008 Closing Ceremony: A Glittering Event Waiting for the Football Fans
No doubt, there will be some eye-catching performances by the local performers as part of the tournament’s closing ceremony on Sunday at the Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna in Austria before the match kicks off. Reports have it that, fans will be entertained by the performance of 400 performers in the closing ceremony of Euro 2008. The closing ceremony will take 10 minutes of amusing performances. The official song of Euro 2008, “Can You Hear Me” will be performed by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias. Football and the 16 participating nations will be focused in the closing ceremony. The trophy will be presented in the VIP tribune, in stead of on the pitch, unlike to the last two Euro tournaments. A Basel-based organization, Uniplan Switzerland will add some special effects in the trophy-presentation ceremony.
Germany vs Spain: Online Live Score and Updates
I think, most of the football supporters from around the world are now planning to watch the match on television. However, it is also true that some of them will be fortunate to watch it on television due to the inaccessibility to the television channel the match will be shown live, or due to the personal or professional works. However, you don’t need to put your head down because you can still get the online live score and updates of the match from different live score websites. Here, I am giving some names of the online live score sites:
Live Score
Goalzz
Euro 2008
Goal.com
Football-data
Sky Sports
Live Score.cz
You can pick up either Germany or Spain as the favorite for the match from your own point of view. However, considering the stage of the tournament and the ability of the participating teams, I am not going to find out who is favorite in the match. The two teams play different style of football and if the two sides can really stick to their own style of football in the final then I think, it will only make the match more competitive and enjoyable in what has an indication of experiencing a classic final in Euro 2008 tournament.
