Spain ends 44-year title drought with Euro triumph

Soccer News

Jun 30, 2008, 12:31 GMT

Vienna - Spain discarded the mantle of eternal underachievers by defeating record champions Germany 1-0 in Vienna Sunday to win Euro 2008 and a first major tournament for 44 years. Spanish captain Iker Casillas lifts the trophy after the team won the UEFA EURO 2008 final between Germany and Spain at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria, 29 June 2008. EPA/KERIM OKTEN

Spanish captain Iker Casillas lifts the trophy after the team won the UEFA EURO 2008 final between Germany and Spain at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria, 29 June 2008. EPA/KERIM OKTENLiverpool striker Fernando Torres scored the winning goal in the 33rd minute of a match Spain could have won by a greater margin. Captain Iker Casillas was presented with the Henri Delaunay trophy from UEFA president Michel Platini and congratulated by King Juan Carlos of Spain before the players went over to celebrate with 15,000 Spanish fans in the stadium. Former playing great Platini had been instrumental in France's defeat of Spain in the 1984 European Championship final, the last final appearance by a Spain team, and looked pleased to be handing the trophy over to Casillas. He also had several words of consolation for Germany captain Michael Ballack who then received commiserations from Chancellor Angela Merkel and German President Horst Koehler. Spain coach Luis Aragones was hurled into the air several times by a circle of his players as celebrations began on the pitch after the final whistle. Aragones, 69, has given Spain their first trophy since they won the tournament in 1964, but confirmed he was now quitting for a post in club management. The victory completes a wonderful Euro 2008 for Spain, who have won five games and drawn one, scoring 12 goals and conceding just three. Germany, looking for a fourth European title, failed to create a single clear chance and were clearly outclassed, but true to tradition battled until the end. The only goal came in the 33rd minute when Xavi Hernandez played a tempting through ball for Torres, who powered his way past Philipp Lahm and beat the advancing Jens Lehmann in goal with a clever chip. 'The players know how much I believed in them and how much they believed in themselves. I think we have an extraordinarily good team,' Aragones said. 'I am very happy for the whole of Spain. It is a milestone in Spanish football.' Germany coach Joachim Loew said: 'I think we have to recognize the greater quality of the Spanish team today. 'Of course, we are disappointed to lose but despite this I have to compliment the team for what they have achieved over these past six weeks.' The match was the 31st and last of a Euro tournament which has drawn widespread praise for the quality of football played and for the atmosphere in host countries Austria and Switzerland. Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said:'It has become a festival of European integration. Two neighbours have now become friends,' he said. Friedrich Stickler, head of the Austrian football federation, said: 'We had more than 4 million people in the fan zones and around 10,000 registered public viewing sites right across Europe. 'You can say without doubt that this Euro 2008 was a peaceful mass movement without incident, with football the centre of attention. 'We have seen some great matches in a wonderful atmosphere. We have had a bit of a summer fairy story in Austria and Switzerland.'

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Spain ends 44-year title drought with Euro triumph

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