Sean Graham

The European Championships of 2008 have come to an end after three weeks of pure entertainment in Austria and Switzerland, and 31 matches have seen Spain crowned the Champions of Europe. Thus ends 44 years of hurt and pain as they lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy for the second time and sent the Spanish fans in the Ernst Happel Stadium wild with delight.

A goal from Liverpool striker Fernando Torres in the first half of the final ensured that Luis Aragones’s men would win the game and lift the trophy, not only that, injured striker David Villa ends the tournament as top scorer with four goals, despite missing the final, so it was double celebration for the Spanish.

Both teams have contributed to what has been a fantastic tournament that will be remembered for many years to come.

On route to the final the Germans had seen off Poland, Austria, Portugal and Turkey and only lost to Croatia, but many feared that the German defence had not been at its best despite getting to the final, and many questions were being asked about the quality of Joachim Low’s side.

Yes, they do have many quality players, like Ballack, Podolski, Klose, Lahm and Schweinsteiger but could they cope with the attacking flair of the Spanish?

On the road to the final, the Spanish showed that they had flair and class and bags of it as they saw off Russia, Sweden, Greece, Italy and the Russians again on their date with destiny.

Spain have a side who are pleasing to watch and have many quality players right through their ranks, from their goalkeeper Casillas, Puyol and Ramos in defence, right through to their attacking options in midfield with Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta and the dynamic duo up front in Torres and Villa.

Spain have been the team that most would have wanted to lift the trophy as in past years, despite their obvious talent they have often failed to deliver on the big occasion, but not this time!

The Spanish have played some delightful football on route to this final, so perhaps it was fitting that the Spanish at last gave their long suffering fans a reason to say “Ole” as their side have were crowned kings of Europe.

This competition has been so enjoyable from start to finish and there have been many magic memories along the way, other teams have come and shown that they can take on the big guns and are ready to shift the balance of power.

Croatia, Russia and Turkey have lit up the competition along with the team who have often played total football, the Dutch.

Others have come and been a disappointment, maybe living on former glories, both France and Italy must now think of the future, the Germans too, but they will all return stronger, they won’t accept failure and a change may do them good.

Fitting at the end of this football feast, that the team who knocked out the holders of the trophy (Greece) and the World Cup winners (Italy) have gone on to lift the trophy and after all that has been said and all the football that has been played, few would argue against that.

Viva Espana!

ALL THE SHIRTS OF THE EURO CHAMPS!