Germany v Spain

BBC Sport - Sunday 29th of June 2008

Euro 2008 reaches its climax on Sunday when Spain face Germany in the final at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna.

Spain last won the title in 1964 but are bookmakers' favourites to beat the three-time champions who may be without inspirational leader Michael Ballack.

The Germany captain, 31, has been having treatment on a calf injury that ruled him out of training on Saturday.

Spain will be without the tournament's top scorer David Villa, who picked up a thigh injury against Russia.

That could mean a start for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in a five-man midfield, with Fernando Torres the lone striker.

However, coach Luis Aragones has not ruled out playing Daniel Guiza alongside the Liverpool marksman up front.


"We might have less attacking punch, but we will have more control in the midfield," said Aragones, referring to the option of using Fabregas. "I haven't decided anything yet though and I might still opt to play two strikers."

Chelsea midfielder Ballack suffered the injury in training on Friday and will be desperate to play, having missed out on the 2002 World Cup final because of suspension.

"On Friday he had problems with his right calf, the muscle has hardened and he couldn't possibly participate in the training, so we will have to wait and see how things develop," said Germany coach Joachim Low.

"Our medical people are working round the clock, but we have to think seriously about what's going to happen if Michael Ballack cannot play.

"There are two possibilities, Tim Borowski or Bastian Schweinsteiger, both of them can take his position, but we will decide that on Sunday."

BBC Radio 5 Live football summariser Graham Taylor said it is hard for him to pick a winner.

"The way Spain have played in Euro 2008 - and I've seen every one of their games live - they will take some stopping, but before a ball was kicked I went for Germany to win the tournament," he told BBC Sport.

"Spain have been the best side in the tournament but this is a very difficult game to call. You might as well toss a coin."

The Spanish are full of confidence ahead of the final, having turned themselves from 'perennial underachievers' to - during the course of the tournament - many people's tip to win the final.

Spain may not have won a major honour in 48 years but Torres believes the side are equipped to go all the way this year.

"This team is already making history but we can do even more," he stated.

"Germany know how to win tournaments, they know how to play these games and we know we have be careful because they are the favourites. But we can win it too."

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas hinted he was more nervous about this game than the Champions League finals he had played in with his club side Real Madrid.

"In my opinion, it is very different," said Casillas. "Getting to the final of the Champions League is nothing like this.

"Real are fortunate in that they are used to getting to finals, but this tournament is only every four years.

"There is a greater sense of responsibility and more nerves for this one and we have 46 million people behind us."

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff has played down suggestions that his side are some critics' favourites and commented: "We have demonstrated what capabilities we possess but we should put Spain one step above us.

"That said, this was the case against Portugal (in the quarter-final) as well and it doesn't have to be to our disadvantage."

And the former striker, whose 'golden goal' against the Czech Republic gave Germany the European title in 1996, hinted Low's side would set out to be hard to break down rather than be expansive in attack.

"Spain control the ball very well and they provide decisive passes," he added. "We will have to play very tightly, double-team a lot and keep the marking close."

That philosophy was supported by Frings, who said: "We shouldn't let them into the game. We have to be aggressive, we have to step up even as they are receiving the ball.

"I don't think they like it when you are aggressive against them."

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