For so long now Spain have had to deal with the tag of not achieving their potential that their doubters must be wondering what there remains to say about Luis Aragonés' side that is not positive.

Top pedigree
Thus far in UEFA EURO 2008™ Spain have been, by turns, thrilling, obstinate, articulate, confident, robust and even a little lucky. In short, for veterans of top class international football they have put on the perfect tournament performance. No-one else defeated Russia, who themselves played outstandingly to beat emerging favourites the Netherlands yet Spain won their two matches on a 7-1 aggregate. Italy and Sweden made themselves stubbornly hard to beat yet La Selección had a sting in the tail each time and emerged with calm authority. Results are what win you tournaments, obviously, but the petrol in the engine of a tournament Ferrari is composed of good planning, good atmosphere and good decisions.

Excellent location
The Tyrol, as recommended by Aragonés old friend Kurt Jara, has proved an excellent, relaxing spot for Spain's busy training schedule and as double session followed double session euro2008.com's Spain reporters have wondered when his opponents would catch on to The Wise Man of Hortaleza regularly claiming that they were fresher or physically stronger than Spain - only for La Furia Roja to surge past them in the second half. Subsitutions have regularly paid off and if Aragonés has actually made an error in this EURO it is hard to pinpoint what it might be. Even when the first XI dropped a little form in training Aragonés stuck with them and was repaid a thousandfold. Five victories, eleven goals and only three conceded plus the emergence of a steely mentality. Now the question is whether Germany possess something that, at least so far, Spain have not been tested on.

Headed goals
The way in which Joachim Löw's team has begun to score goals from crosses and free kicks does look ominous. Two of the three which have gone past Iker Casillas thus far came via this route. So even if it is not inevitable that they will score this way it looks a good bet that Germany will test Casillas's infamous aversion to the high ball into the box and perhaps they will even open up a lead.

Will Spain bounce back?
The key question given Germany's rising form, fantastic tournament tradition, verve and aerial ability is: "Have Spain matured so much that they are capable of taking a shot to the jaw and coming off the ropes". I'd say the answer is yes and I'd predict that to win the final Germany would have to play better even than they did against either Portugal or Turkey. Who will win in your view? Tell us why. And isn't it time to praise Spain for the cracking tournament they've given us win, lose or draw the final?