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Torres Scores for Spain to Lead Germany 1-0 at Halftime of Euro 2008 Final

Posted on: Sunday, 29 June 2008, 18:00 CDT

By Raf Casert, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

VIENNA, Austria - Fernando Torres gave Spain a 1-0 lead over Germany at halftime Sunday in the European Championship final.

The Liverpool striker sped past the German defence in the 33rd minute, latching on to a deep pass from Xavi Hernandez. Torres pressured so hard he forced Philipp Lahm into a defensive mistake and chipped the ball over charging goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

It rewarded an ever-improving Spanish side which set up several scoring opportunities once it braved early German domination.

Torres could have scored earlier. In the 23rd minute, he out-jumped the towering Per Mertesacker to reach for a cross from Sergio Ramos and headed it downward past Lehmann but against the post.

Germany never got that close to Spain's Iker Casillas, but the three-time champions dominated early and got several half chances.

As the first half progressed, though, Spain controlled midfield and put Lehmann under ever more pressure.

To make matters worse, Germany captain Michael Ballack went down with blood streaming down his face after an accidental clash of heads with Marcos Senna. He had to be treated for several minutes while Germany was under pressure.

When he came back on, he got involved in a scuffle, which earned him a yellow card. Casillas, who came over to protest, also got a warning.

After early German domination, Spain had its first chance to score in the 14th minute when Christoph Metzelder nearly deflected a cross from Andres Iniesta into his own net. Lehmann kept the ball out with a reflex save.

Germany repeatedly pushed through on the left and Lahm made a dangerous surge which ended with his cross going out. Ballack immediately showed his right calf injury didn't bother him, playing through Carles Puyol's legs to set up another move on the left.

Spain was outplayed early on that side, and Thomas Hitzlsperger found room to test Casillias from that side, too.

Soon though, Spain fixed its defensive hole on the left and the game turned more balanced, with the Spaniards increasingly showing off their technical superiority.

Ballack started the final despite a calf injury scare. The Chelsea midfielder missed Germany's final two practices before Sunday's game.

Ballack, who has been a key factor in Germany reaching the final, missed out on the 2002 World Cup final because of suspension. He also missed the opening game of the 2006 World Cup because of a similar injury on the same calf.

For Spain, top scorer David Villa was sidelined with a right leg injury. He was replaced by Cesc Fabregas as Spain fielded a five-man midfield with Fernando Torres as the lone striker.

Among the 51,000 fans at the sold-out Ernst Happel stadium, the Germans largely outnumbered the Spaniards.

Germany was seeking it record fourth European title and its first major trophy since winning Euro 1996 in England. Spain was bent on ending 44 years of futility. Its only major victory came at the 1964 European Championships it hosted.

Source: Canadian Press

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