¡En hora buena, España! My second home country finally gets the monkey off its back and wins a major international soccer tournament, defeating a historically powerhouse German squad to capture the 2008 European Cup Championship!
Fernando Torres scored the lone goal of the game, on a perfect corner chip from deep in the penalty area, just over the goalie's outstretched body. The goal completed a 1 on 3 fast break opportunity that required incredible speed, athleticism, focus, and skill. See for yourself:
The European Cup Championship is Spain's second in history, making Spain just the third country to win the trophy multiple times (three for Germany, two for France, now two for Spain.) Spain had not won the European Cup Championship since 44 years ago, in 1964. Now the perennially underachieving national team can hopefully earn a new reputation as one of soccer's most methodical, talented - and above all - winning countries.
Next mission: win the 2010 World Cup. If Spain plays this masterfully in South Africa, I think there will be another trophy on the horizon. Give credit to outgoing head coach Luis Aragones, the 70 yearold mastermind behind the '08 Spanish squad. He had Spain playing brilliantly throughout this tournament- controlling the ball and attacking the goal. This team played smart, creative, cerebral, tactical football. I did not see a more technically sound team in the tournament. From David Villa's hat-trick in the opening game against Russia to Fernando Torres' spectacular goal in the Cup Final, Spain clearly deserved this championship.
Some of my relatives from Spain had the pleasure of attending this game in person. Others watched from their flats or from the streets of the public square. Speaking with them on the phone, the atmosphere sounded incredible. Some day I need to attend one of these world class soccer events. The energy and passion are palpable. (The women aren't too bad looking either...)
And now for a bit of comical irony: