Euro 2008 Final - Germany vs. Spain

Discuss here. Mods, please sticky.

Kas just change the title - it WILL be Spain

Kas just change the title - it WILL be Spain

Anyway;

Germany - for me are favourites, they have the history of delivering and this German teams looks as lucky / resilient / ruthless as so many of the past... all be with some weaker players in certain positions..


Spain - all the hype will follow, because they play the more attractive football, because they have flattered to decieve and so many will be saying it will be different this time, and because some people would rather hack their C0ck off than watch Germany win.

Personally i'd like Spain to win, i always want to see teams who can play good attacking football prosper, its always good for the game and sets a good bench mark / example.

Anyway looking forward to the game - cant wait, best Tourny for quite some time IMO, not a bad statement from a Brit.

germany will dominate spain, our selfbelief is untouchable

Toni Kroos wrote:germany will dominate spain, our selfbelief is untouchable

Oh such Irony.

It is because of the players lack of arrogance that you display they succeed.

Germany will dominate no-one, they may lure Spain in like a snake pretending to sleep, and then pounce with a sucker punch, but dominate? they won't even have the lions share of the ball IMO.

Title changed...my thoughts:

- The game will be won or lost in midfield. Spain so far have finally been able to use their strength in midfield to really control games. The opposition has never been able to get on top for long spells, even when Spain don't look like scoring themselves.
It is up to Germany whether they will continue to play their erratic and nervy football from the group stage and Turkey match, or show the calm that they did in the Portugal match.

- Klose can really trouble the Spanish defenders with his heading ability, but I'm not expecting Germany to put in lots of crosses. Plus he's been fairly off-colour this tournament. Spain will definitely have to avoid stupid fouls near the box though.

- Podolski has had a great tournament, but I don't think he'll get much out of Ramos considering the latter can much Podolski for pace. Instead it will be the Schweinsteiger-Capdevila battle that will be intriguing. Arguably Germany's most important player this tournament vs. Spain's weakest link at the back.

- Villa's fitness will also be very important. Spain will not prefer to go into the final without the first choice lineup that has looked so good all tournament long.


I think this will be a good final, not as nervous or tentative as finals tend to be. Could definitely be settled in 90 mins.

btw, I remember that BBC article where almost all their pundits picked Spain to win. All of us here ridiculed them for that...will they prove us all wrong in a few days time?

Should be a great final. Both big international clubs and both are very capable of hurting the other team.

think the mix in styles should also be great to watch

I can see Germany nicking it with an individual bit of brilliance from Podolski or Pig-climber.

Germany will win it, undeserved of course! But at least Spain took it to the next level this time!

I'm just hoping we can win it so we can pass on the baton of perennial underachievers onto England.

Spain is definitely the favourite. Spain hasn't lost a single match in the tournament, knocked out the world champion, thrashed Russia in the semis, and have a squad full of world class players.

@ blut
What's that German saying about false modesty?

Löw: 'Spain is different to Portugal, less predictable and more variable because the midfielders often change their positions. An excellent team technically.'

The two best teams in the final...

Olé wrote:@ blut
What's that German saying about false modesty?

No false modesty, just facts.

Spain probably need to raise their game, will Aragones start Guiza and Torres, or have Guiza on the bench and start Fabregas? I still say the German defence can be suspect at times.

I like Spain to win this final because they have never really given themselves the chance to play up to their own skill level. They're just favourites on tournament form. Germany are favourites on past experience so it is an even game from that perspective.

On the Spanish forum I use they're saying Guiza. *fingers crossed*

I hope he'll play the same formation as it gets the best out of all the players, rather than depending on a counter-attack.

Vierzehn wrote:Spain probably need to raise their game, will Aragones start Guiza and Torres, or have Guiza on the bench and start Fabregas? I still say the German defence can be suspect at times.

Germany will also have to raise there game to play the Spanish. The only area at this moment Germany are a little stronger is up front. Midfield and defence Spain are equal or better, if Torres finds just a little form like Iniesta did today Spain could be better up front also.

Germany are the favourites for me.

Spain are technical, beautiful etc, but Germany can play the games Italy & Sweden did, whilst actually having the pace, power and moverment to cause Spain trouble.

They haven't faced a side that has the directness and power of Piggy and PolishDolski on the flanks yet, and I think that'll be the key.

I think they'll be just too streetwise for the Spanish.

Sergio Ramos will have the speed,strength and ability to deal the german flank play did you see him today...

Olé wrote:On the Spanish forum I use they're saying Guiza. *fingers crossed*

I hope he'll play the same formation as it gets the best out of all the players, rather than depending on a counter-attack.

The 4-1-4-1?, if he was to play this he probably will start with Torres, maybe Guiza. After tonight and against Italy, surely Fabregas will start. Thought the Spanish midfield in the 2nd half was excellent.

I think Luis Aragonés has found a clever way to use his talented squad or he just lucked out. Bringing on Fabregas during the game seems to change the way Spain play in a direction but still playing the spanish way. It is like the rest of the team gets warmed up and ready. Before he is on the players individually go just a little to far with each effort and missing out. Cesc comes on they are ready to play like coach players using each other perfectly..

I hope Spain win for the love of football...

Germany have become a cousin once removed of Italy, IMO, or have they always been?

elbecko wrote:I hope Spain win for the love of football...

Germany have become a cousin once removed of Italy, IMO, or have they always been?

Vierzehn wrote:

Olé wrote:On the Spanish forum I use they're saying Guiza. *fingers crossed*

I hope he'll play the same formation as it gets the best out of all the players, rather than depending on a counter-attack.

The 4-1-4-1?, if he was to play this he probably will start with Torres, maybe Guiza. After tonight and against Italy, surely Fabregas will start. Thought the Spanish midfield in the 2nd half was excellent.

If we play with Cesc, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva and Senna we shouldn't have any problem bossing the midfield. We just have to pray that our Inzaghi in Guiza plays well.

Olé wrote:

Vierzehn wrote:

Olé wrote:On the Spanish forum I use they're saying Guiza. *fingers crossed*

I hope he'll play the same formation as it gets the best out of all the players, rather than depending on a counter-attack.

The 4-1-4-1?, if he was to play this he probably will start with Torres, maybe Guiza. After tonight and against Italy, surely Fabregas will start. Thought the Spanish midfield in the 2nd half was excellent.

If we play with Cesc, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva and Senna we shouldn't have any problem bossing the midfield. We just have to pray that our Inzaghi in Guiza plays well.

WTF why are you insulting one of the better forwards in the tournament. Guiza is a real TM not a poacher.

He is! He's an absolutely brilliant finisher in the box. That's why I absolutely hate it when he comes on as a sub - to counter-attack - and he's shown as being lethargic chasing balls down the wings.