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EURO 2008: Spain Prevails Over Germany in Final

Football season officially ended tonight with the final of Euro 2008 in Vienna, Austria.

Germany took on Spain in an intriguing encounter between two of the pre-tournament favorites. There were no Greek underdogs stealing the thunder this time as Spain beat the Germans 1-0.

Germany last made the final in 1996. They ended up 2-1 winners that day over an impressive Czech Republic. Their sixth final in the competition ended without a fourth win however but they did prove one thing. You can always count on the Germans to be there or abouts. The Spaniards reached their first final in 24 years and managed to put an end to their status as "perennial underachievers," with a first victory in a major competition since 1964!

EURO 2008: Spain Overpowers Russia to Advance to Final

Superb Spain stormed into their first final in 24 years by rolling over in-form Russia at Euro 2008 in Vienna.

On another wet night in Austria, Luis Aragones' men attacked throughout and scored second-half goals through Xavi, substitute Daniel Guiza, and David Silva to claim their fifth win in as many games and set up a title showdown with Germany on Sunday.

The outcome prevented the Russians, who lost 4-1 to Spain in their opening game, from making their first appearance in the final since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

EURO 2008:Germany's Late Goal Spoils Turkey's Cinderella Run

For the first time in Euro 2008, Turkey found out what it is like to get off to an early lead. Also for the first time, they found out what it is like to have that lead snatched away from them.

Right up until the final moment of the match, soccer fans dared to believe that something miraculous would happen-that the plankton would eat the whale.

Sadly for Turkey, harsh reality broke in to spoil the dream, courtesy of Philip Lahm's boot, and at the worst possible time. The irony was that Lahm may have been lucky to be there at the end to kick that goal.

EURO 2008: Spain Breaks Through on PK's

This confrontation had "game of the tournament" written all over it, on paper that is. However, it quickly turned out as the most boring game of football of the year.

Neither team managed to produce the level of football they were expected, with jeering fans and lacklustre opportunities for goals on both side; this game failed to live up to its expectations.

Spain had control of the game throughout, with early efforts from Ambrossini, Perotta, Villa and Silva all just adding to Buffon's workout routine. The Spanish armada's onslaught was met by a "Fort Knox" like Italian defense, solid, compact and most of all not allowing any opportunity to turn into a goal; occasionally the Italians were up front with burst of ingenuity and set play.

EURO 2008: Russia Rolls Past Holland

Saturday's Euro 2008 quarterfinal affair between Russia and The Netherlands was one for the ages if you are a believer in the impossible. Russia, a country that no one expected to progress out of the group stage had out played and eliminated the heavily favored Dutch side with a score of 3-1 slowly turning their doubters into believers.

What most expected was a highflying Dutch attack that scored nine goals in the opening round but it was Russia who held the tempo testing keeper Edwin Van der Sar throughout the first half. Roman Pavlyuchenko headed a ball over the bar and Denis Kolodin twice fired bullets toward the Dutch net once needing Van der Sar's quick reaction to keep the game scoreless.