
Spain became European champions for the second time after Fernando Torres's first-half goal in Vienna proved enough to defeat Germany in the final of UEFA EURO 2008™.
History an inspiration
Spain had won their only previous piece of silverware in this competition in 1964 and had not been beyond the quarter-finals of any tournament in 24 years, yet Luis Aragonés's men chose to use that history as an inspiration rather than a burden. After a strong start from Germany, seeking a fourth title themselves, Spain were the more dangerous side throughout an entertaining final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion although it took just one goal – in the 33rd minute, courtesy of Torres's pace, perseverance and unerring finish – to end their long wait.
| More |
Germany | |
| 1 | Jens Lehmann |
| 3 | Arne Friedrich |
| 7 | Bastian Schweinsteiger |
| 8 | Torsten Frings |
| 11 | Miroslav Klose |
| 13 | Michael Ballack |
| 15 | Thomas Hitzlsperger |
| 16 | Philipp Lahm |
| 17 | Per Mertesacker |
| 20 | Lukas Podolski |
| 21 | Christoph Metzelder |
| Substitutes | |
| 12 | Robert Enke |
| 23 | René Adler |
| 2 | Marcell Jansen |
| 4 | Clemens Fritz |
| 5 | Heiko Westermann |
| 6 | Simon Rolfes |
| 9 | Mario Gómez |
| 10 | Oliver Neuville |
| 14 | Piotr Trochowski |
| 18 | Tim Borowski |
| 19 | David Odonkor |
| 22 | Kevin Kuranyi |
| Coach: Joachim Löw | |
Spain | |
| 1 | Iker Casillas |
| 4 | Carlos Marchena |
| 5 | Carles Puyol |
| 6 | Andrés Iniesta |
| 8 | Xavi Hernández |
| 9 | Fernando Torres |
| 10 | Cesc Fàbregas |
| 11 | Joan Capdevila |
| 15 | Sergio Ramos |
| 19 | Marcos Senna |
| 21 | David Silva |
| Substitutes | |
| 13 | Andrés Palop |
| 23 | Pepe Reina |
| 2 | Raúl Albiol |
| 3 | Fernando Navarro |
| 7 | David Villa |
| 12 | Santi Cazorla |
| 14 | Xabi Alonso |
| 16 | Sergio García |
| 17 | Daniel Güiza |
| 18 | Álvaro Arbeloa |
| 20 | Juanito |
| 22 | Rubén de la Red |
| Coach: Luis Aragonés | |
| Germany | Spain | |
| 0 | Goals scored | 1 |
| 2 | Yellow card | 2 |
| 0 | Red card | 0 |
| 1 | Shots on goal | 7 |
| 2 | Shots wide | 5 |
| 22 | Fouls committed | 19 |
| 4 | Corners | 7 |
| 5 | Offsides | 4 |
| 27' 56'' | Ball. Poss. (time) | 25' 50'' |
| 51% | Ball. Poss. (%) | 49% |
| 08/06/2008 | - | Poland | 2 - 0 |
| 12/06/2008 | - | Croatia | 1 - 2 |
| 16/06/2008 | - | Austria | 1 - 0 |
| 19/06/2008 | - | Portugal | 3 - 2 |
| 25/06/2008 | - | Turkey | 3 - 2 |
| 10/06/2008 | - | Russia | 4 - 1 |
| 14/06/2008 | - | Sweden | 2 - 1 |
| 18/06/2008 | - | Greece | 2 - 1 |
| 22/06/2008 | - | Italy | 0 - 0* |
| 26/06/2008 | - | Russia | 3 - 0 |