Toughened-up Spain look to seal Euro deal against Germans
Monday, 30 June 2008
VIENNA, June 29 (AFP): Spain will head into Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Germany here confident that they have overcome the mental fragility that has so often dogged them in the past.
Footballing failures - following quickly on from the bounding hope that preceded them - had become so synonymous with the Spanish national team that the phrase 'perennial underachievers' became an almost permanent prefix to the word 'Spain'.
Before this tournament it had been 24 years since Spain progressed beyond the quarter-finals of a competition and yet they banished that hoodoo with a nervy penalty shoot-out victory over world champions Italy in the last eight here in Vienna.
After a slightly cagey first half against Russia, Spain opened up after the break to let their football flow and they are finally looking like the team they have always threatened to be.
Now their footballing redemption would be complete if they can take that final step and beat a team that has always been the virtual antithesis of the Spaniards.
While Spain have often flattered to deceive at big tournaments, Germany frequently scrap and bully their way further than they seem to merit, such as in 2002 when one of the worst German teams in living memory reached the World Cup final.
Even so, a little shiver went through the German ranks Saturday evening amid the news that skipper Michael Ballack is rated as doubtful after straining his right calf in training, forcing him to have treatment at the team hotel.
Team manager Oliver Bierhoff told reporters that "we'll do all we can to ensure Ballack can play."
Although Spain may be shedding their unwanted tag, Germany show no signs of parting from their traditions.
While it is true to say they played well in their opening match against Poland, since then they have been clearly second best against both Croatia and Turkey, then outplayed Portugal thanks to a brilliant strategy devised by coach Joachim Loew which saw him outthink Luiz Felipe Scolari and were uninspiring against Austria.
Footballing failures - following quickly on from the bounding hope that preceded them - had become so synonymous with the Spanish national team that the phrase 'perennial underachievers' became an almost permanent prefix to the word 'Spain'.
Before this tournament it had been 24 years since Spain progressed beyond the quarter-finals of a competition and yet they banished that hoodoo with a nervy penalty shoot-out victory over world champions Italy in the last eight here in Vienna.
After a slightly cagey first half against Russia, Spain opened up after the break to let their football flow and they are finally looking like the team they have always threatened to be.
Now their footballing redemption would be complete if they can take that final step and beat a team that has always been the virtual antithesis of the Spaniards.
While Spain have often flattered to deceive at big tournaments, Germany frequently scrap and bully their way further than they seem to merit, such as in 2002 when one of the worst German teams in living memory reached the World Cup final.
Even so, a little shiver went through the German ranks Saturday evening amid the news that skipper Michael Ballack is rated as doubtful after straining his right calf in training, forcing him to have treatment at the team hotel.
Team manager Oliver Bierhoff told reporters that "we'll do all we can to ensure Ballack can play."
Although Spain may be shedding their unwanted tag, Germany show no signs of parting from their traditions.
While it is true to say they played well in their opening match against Poland, since then they have been clearly second best against both Croatia and Turkey, then outplayed Portugal thanks to a brilliant strategy devised by coach Joachim Loew which saw him outthink Luiz Felipe Scolari and were uninspiring against Austria.