Fuente: © Chelsea FC
http://www.chelseafc.com/

CHELSEA FC: EURO 2008: IT'S ALL OVER

/noticias.info/ Spain were crowned European Champions tonight as Michael Ballack's Germany succumbed to a first half Fernando Torres goal.

After a tense 90 minutes in Vienna, that saw both teams taking control during periods of the game, Spain sealed victory for the second time in the competition.

Tonight's win ends a 44-year wait for the Spanish who last won the trophy in 1964 after beating USSR 2-1.

It took 22 minutes for Spain to worry Germany when the troublesome Torres leapt high to head a hanging cross at the far post, only to see his attempt ricochet off the woodwork.

But 11 minutes later the Liverpool striker had broken the deadlock after latching onto a perfectly placed Xavi Hernándes through ball before chipping a shot over on oncoming Jens Lehmann and into the back of the net.

Michael Ballack was putting in a good performance in the centre of Germany's midfield before being forced off the pitch after receiving a knock above his eye in a clash of heads with Marcos Senna in the 37th minute.

The German captain had to leave the field for treatment and change his bloodied shirt, he then rejoined the game only to receive a yellow card minutes from half time after a challenge on Cesc Fabregas.

Germany came out for the second half in a more boisterous mood and the game began to even out as Kevin Kuranyi came on to replace Thomas Hitzlsperger in the 58th minute.

Within a minute of the change Ballack forced the Germans onto the edge of their seats with a shot from inside the box, which scraped the outside of the post.

Just before the hour mark arrived, the Chelsea midfielder was displaying his ability with a dangerous cross toward Kuranyi that forced Iker Casillas into action.

By then Germany were beginning to dominate the game as Luis Aragonés changed David Silva for Santi Cazorla in the 65th minute.

The tide of play then changed back into Spain's favour as Senna nearly doubled their lead in the 81st minute.

The game finished with Germany frantically trying to force extra time as Joachim Löw watched helplessly from the sidelines.

Germany's loss means they have still won half of the European finals they have been involved in, with a record three wins, while Spain now have two. notas_de_prensa_archivo