Spain end 44-year wait for trophy

This wonderful festival of football finished in style on Sunday night, settled by that stylish finisher Fernando Torres.

In ending 44 years of hurt, Spain possessed too much heart, too much invention, and too much Torres for Germany.

This was a triumph of Spanish courage and skill as well as brilliant management by Luis Aragones in taking his team to their first silverware since the 1964 European Championships.

As hard as Michael Ballack worked, Spain were simply superior in all departments, and in Torres they possessed the cutting edge the Germans lacked.

Spain would be hopeless on Mastermind - too many passes - but they took a more direct route for Torres's stunning first-half strike.

Two fast passes down the middle and Germany were opened up. Senna found Xavi, who instantly swept the ball down the inside-right channel for Torres to chase. Philipp Lahm and Jens Lehmann still guarded the avenue to goal. Not well enough.

Having outpaced Lahm with almost embarrassing ease, Torres glided into the box. As Lehmann threw himself forward, Torres lifted the ball over the prostrate German goalkeeper.

Magic

Spain had been forced to endure a testing opening 10 minutes.

But for all Germany's threat, Spain gradually imposed their superior technique. Lurking right of goal 20 yards out, Torres placed the ball back to Xavi, whose diagonal pass behind Arne Friedrich was weighted perfectly for Andres Iniesta.

His cross was drilled hard, the ball rising and catching the bearded Christoph Metzelder and deflecting goalwards.

Lehmann reacted marvellously, stretching out a fist and beating the ball away.

Spain would not be cowed and began building to their first-half goal. Germany briefly hit back, Ballack appealing for a penalty when Joan Capdevila appeared to handle.

But Spain held firm, and conjured up that moment of first-half magic from Torres.

Germany were far more menacing after the break, stretching Spain time and again.

Ballack went close, driving a shot wide after Marcell Jansen, Lahm's interval replacement, had pressured Puyol into losing possession.

Spain risked losing their cool when David Silva went head to head with Podolski and clearly pushed his forehead into the German winger.

But Spain responded well to these trying times. Only Lehmann's terrific reflexes kept out Ramos's powerful header.

Then Torsten Frings, stationed on the line, kicked away an Iniesta shot midway through the second period.

Germany's massed ranks of white-shirted support tried to lift the team with an emotional rendition of their national anthem.

Ballack responded, covering every blade of ground, clearing one minute, appearing in Spain's box the next.

But it spoke volumes for the depth of Spanish resources, and their admirable commitment to attack, that they almost made it 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining.