Spain conquer Europe

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Spain ended their 44-year wait for international glory as they defeated Germany 1-0 in the final of Euro 2008 at Ernst Happel stadium.

Luis Aragones announced prior to this summer's tournament that he was to step down as Spain boss at its conclusion and he is set to go out on a high as Fernando Torres struck to secure Spain's first piece of silverware since the 1964 European Championship.

A thrilling Euro 2008 was crying out for an entertaining final to end proceedings in Austria and Switzerland and both sides played their part in an enthralling encounter in Vienna.

Pre-tournament favourites and final specialists Germany enjoyed the better of the opening minutes, but Spain - often tagged as underachievers - then began to dominate possession and Torres gave his side the lead on 33 minutes.

In the second half, Germany midfielder Michael Ballack volleyed his side's best chance just wide of Spain's near post, but Aragones's men were always comfortable as they deservedly ended almost half-a-century of waiting for success.

Ahead of kick-off, Germany were boosted by the news that Ballack was fit to play after recovering sufficiently from the calf injury which had prevented him from training on Friday or Saturday.

Spain, appearing in their first major final since the 1984 European Championship, opted to name Cesc Fabregas as the replacement for injured tournament top scorer David Villa, who damaged a thigh muscle in the 3-0 semi-final win over Russia, as Liverpool forward Torres played in a lone attacking role.

Germany had sneaked through Group B after finishing runners up to Croatia, but Portugal were then soundly sunk in the quarter-finals before a dramatically late victory over Turkey booked a final date.

Hard-fought

But Germany's hard-fought route to the final did not show as they forced the issue in the opening 10 minutes and striker Miroslav Klose should have done better when through on goal after collecting a loose pass from Spain defender Sergio Ramos.

Joachim Low's side appeared to have highlighted right full-back Ramos as the weak link in Spain's rearguard as attacks were focused upon the Real Madrid man and Thomas Hitzlsperger tested Iker Casillas from range.

Meanwhile, Spain - who strolled through Group D before world champions Italy were sent packing on penalties in the last eight and group rivals Russia were comprehensively beaten for a second time in the semi-finals - were refusing to abandon their passing principals.

And on 15 minutes it almost reaped dividends as Germany centre-back Christoph Metzelder deflected an Andres Iniesta cross towards his own goal and shot-stopper Jens Lehmann was forced into a reflex save to tip behind for a corner.

Aragones' side were beginning to settle and seven minutes later Torres, who appeared to be relishing his isolated role, climbed above Per Mertesacker to head a Ramos cross against the base of the German post with Lehmann beaten.

Torres then made Spain's pressure count on 33 minutes as he showed too much pace and power for Germany left-back Philipp Lahm to latch on to a precise ball from Xavi before executing a brilliantly cute finish past the on-rushing Lehmann.

Almost immediately after, David Silva could have doubled Spain's lead as he met an Iniesta cross at the far post but the Valencia man volleyed well over the bar.

Things continued to go from bad to worse for Germany as a visibly frustrated Ballack was twice forced off after splitting his eyebrow in an aerial collision with Marcos Senna, and the Chelsea star also received a booking from Italian referee Roberto Rosetti after a scuffle with Fabregas and Carles Puyol shortly before half-time.

Failure

Lahm paid the price for his defensive failings as he was replaced by Marcell Jansen at the interval and the change seemed to boost Low's side as they began the second half in a bright style akin to the first 45 minutes.

However, three-time winners Germany were struggling to disrupt a solid central defensive partnership of Puyol and Carlos Marchena and Spain continued to look the more dangerous in attack as Silva and Torres both had chances to extend the lead.

The fact that his side appeared a little toothless was not lost on Low as the peripheral Hitzlsperger made way for Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi and the change almost paid off as Ballack ruffled Spain's side-netting with a volley from the edge of the area on 60 minutes.

Germany's confidence was buoyed and Aragones responded by introducing the more defensively-minded Xabi Alonso in place of Fabregas.

Tempers began to raise their heads and Silva was fortunate to avoid a red card after what looked like a head-butt on Lukas Podolski and Aragones wisely opted to replace his player with Santi Cazorla.

Spain appeared to have survived Germany's revival and Ramos should have headed his side's second goal when in acres of space at a Xavi free-kick, but his effort was saved by 38-year-old Lehmann.

Germany brought on Mario Gomez for Klose, but Low's side seemed to have run out of ideas as Spain, who replaced Torres with Daniel Guiza, threatened on the counter-attack.

Spain could have had a second as Senna went close to prodding in Guiza's knockdown, but one goal proved to be comfortably enough as referee Rosetti's final whistle sparked wild celebrations and Casillas lifted the Euro 2008 trophy.