Holland 1-3 Russia
June 20, 2008

Russia swept aside Holland 3-1 after extra-time to earn a place in the last four of Euro 2008.

Guus Hiddink's side came into the game as underdogs, but from the off they were the better team against a Ducth outfit who failed to recapture the verve that had characterised their imperious march through the group stages.

Goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko, Dmitri Torbinksy and the game's outstanding performer, Andrei Arshavin, were enough to secure the win. Ruud Van Nistelrooy gave hope to the Dutch when he equalised with five minutes to go, but that strike merely delayed the inevitable.

The result may rank up their with Turkey's surprise defeat of Crotia on Friday evening, but there was nothing fortunate about the tonight's outcome, as Russia bossed the game from the off, and but for a more ruthless streak in front of goal, could have won by a greater margin.

There will be sympathy for Marco Van Basten's side who have illuminated Euro 2008, but when it really mattered they bowed out of the tournament meekly to a vibrant Russian side.

Holland, who had looked devastating on the break throughout the tournament, but less accomplished when they had to force the issue, endured some hairy moments early on as Russia enjoyed plenty of possession.

On six minutes, the roving full-back Zhirkov brought the first save of the game when his curling free-kick from the edge of the area was tipped away by Edwin Van Der Sar. Two minutes later Pavlyuchenko found space in the penalty area but he was unable to control his header.

Russia were proving adept at suffocating the threat from the Dutch and Marco Van Basten's side's best chances came from set-pieces. On 29 minutes Van der Vaart curled in a wonderful free-kick towards Ruud Van Nistelrooy, but the Real Madrid striker was unable to make contact with the ball.

In open play though, it was Russia who looked the likelier scorers. Their best opportunity came just after the half hour mark when Engelaar lost possession and Russia broke in numbers with the ball eventually reaching Arshavin, whose curling right-foot effort was tipped around the post by Van der Sar. From the resulting corner, Van der Sar, who was much the busier of the two keepers, had to be alert to palm away a thunderous 30-yard effort from Kolodin.

As half-time approached, Holland began to string some passes together and Van Nistelrooy finally escape the attentions of Kolodin, but his shot from the edge of the area was saved comfortably by Akinfeev. Moments later, Kolodin carelessly ceded possession on the edge of his area to Van der Vaart, but the Hamburg playmaker shot straight at the Russian keeper.

All square at half-time and much to ponder for Van Basten who was seeing his side set some uncomfortable questions by Russia. The Dutch coach brought on Robin Van Persie for the annoynmous Dirk Kuyt after the break and the forward almost had an immediate impact when he raced on to a flick by Van Nistelrooy, but volleyed the ball wide.

Russia though, still looked the more fluent side, and it came as no surprise when they went ahead. Arshavin clipped the ball to Sergei Semak whose left-wing cross was volleyed in at the near post by Roman Pavlyuchenko. It was a well-worked goal by the Russians and on the balance of play, earned them a lead they thoroughly deserved.

Hiddink's side, in keeping with his footballing philosophy, continued to press forward but their efforts were undermined by a wastefulness in front of goal. Hiddink, prowling his technical area, was visibly exasperated by his side's penchant for trying to walk the ball into the net.

Holland, who had produced a flat performance throughout, looked deflated to have fallen behind for the first time in the tournament. Van Basten sacrificed the holding midfield player Engelaar and introduced Ibrahim Afellay in an attempt to inject a spark into what had been a laboured performance.

Nonetheless, the Dutch continued to struggle, and but for several long range efforts from Sneijder, rarely looked like conjuring up an equaliser. That was until five minutes from time when Sneijder swung in a wonderful free-kick and Van Nistelrooy hurled himself at the ball to divert a header in at the far post.

It was questionable at that stage whether the Dutch deserved the equaliser but as extra-time began the idea of parity between the two sides bordered on the ludicrous as Hiddink's men continued to take the game to their opponents. For long spells Holland could not get the ball out of their own half as Russia, clearly affronted rather than demoralised by the late equaliser, pressed forward in search of a winner.

There was a freshness to the Russian players, which was all the more surprising given that they played three days ago while the majority of the Dutch side had enjoyed the luxury of an eight day break since their last game.

Eventually, the outstanding Arshavin got his just reward when he embarked on a run to the byline before chipping across the face of Van der Sar's goal for substitute Torbinsky to tap in at the far post.

Worse was to follow for Holland when Arshavin collected a throw-in in before advancing on goal and firing a low shot between the legs of Van der Sar.

For Hiddink, defeating his homeland, may have generated mixed emotions, but he should take immense credit for turning around a side that had been written off after their opening game defeat to Spain. The two sides will meet again if Luis Aragones side prevail over Italy on Sunday night, and it seems unlikely that Spain will get it all their own way next time around.

Holland 1-3 Russia (aet)

Scorers:
Holland: Ruud van Nistelrooy 86
Russia: Roman Pavlyuchenko 56, Dmitry Torbinsky 112, Andrei Arshavin 116

Halftime: 0-0
90 mins: 1-1
105 mins: 1-1

Attendance: 38,374

Teams:
Holland: 1-Edwin van der Sar; 21-Khalid Boulahrouz (3-John Heitinga 54), 2-Andre Ooijer, 4-Joris Mathijsen, 5-Giovanni van Bronckhorst; 17-Nigel de Jong, 8-Orlando Engelaar (20-Ibrahim Afellay 62); 18-Dirk Kuyt (7-Robin van Persie 46), 23-Rafael van der Vaart, 10-Wesley Sneijder; 9-Ruud van Nistelrooy

Russia: 1-Igor Akinfeyev; 22-Alexander Anyukov, 8-Denis Kolodin, 4-Sergei Ignashevich, 18-Yuri Zhirkov; 17-Konstantin Zyryanov, 11-Sergei Semak, 20-Igor Semshov (15-Diniyar Bilyaletdinov 69), 9-Ivan Saenko (7-Dmitry Torbinsky 81); 10-Andrei Arshavin, 19-Roman Pavlyuchenko (21-Dmitry Sychev 115).

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia)

Italy 0-0 Spain - Spain won 4-2 on penalties
June 20, 2008


Spain are though to the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after beaing Italy 4-2 in a penalty shootout in Vienna.

The two sides had ground out a 0-0 draw over the course of two turgid hours of football, but given that Spain had shown the greater attacking inclination throughout, their win was just about deserved.

Iker Casillas was the hero for Spain, saving two penalties in the shootout to take Spain through to their first semi-final since 1984. This result also broke their June 22nd hoodoo, for it was on this date that they had been knocked out of three previous tournaments after a penalty shootout.

Depicted in advance as a game of chess, the match lived up to its billing and perhaps illustrated why chess has not caught on as a spectator sport. In a largely forgettable encounter, chances were at a premium, with both Casillas and his Italian counterpart Gianluigi Buffon rarely called into action.

Italy, without the suspended Andrea Pirlo, lacked a playmaker, and although their midfield trio of Simone Perrotta, Massimo Ambrosini and Alberto Aquilani were all capable of performing the legwork it was difficult to see where the creativity would come from. With Luca Toni an isolated figure up front, it was hard to escape the conclusion that coach Roberto Donadoni had decided that the best way of winning the game was to avoid losing it.

Spain, to their credit, tried to force the pace but confronted by nine outfield players massed behind the ball, they were always fighting an uphill battle.

With the midfield area congested, Spain were largely reduced to shooting from distance. Long-range efforts from David Villa and Iniesta brought comfortable saves from Gianluigi Buffon, and when David Silva did beat Buffon, the ball sailed inches wide of the post.

At the other end, there was little to concern the Spanish defence. Ambrosini did find Toni with one searching cross, but the ball was headed straight at Carlos Marchena. The tactic of using Toni's aerial prowess against the relatively diminutive Spanish central defence, looked like Italy's best hope of scoring, but unfortunately for the Azurri, the supply to the towering striker was intermittent. Even more regrettably, Toni has played in this tournament as if wearing lead boots.

Spain did have two appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee. The first occurred when David Villa was kicked from behind by Ambrosini, while just before the interval David Silva was upended by Fabio Grosso on the edge of the penalty area only for the referee to ignore the claim.

It was not until the hour mark that either keeper had to make a save worthy of the term. Surprisingly, given the general flow of the play it fell to Italy, when, following a scramble in the Spanish penalty area, the ball fell to substitute Mauro Camoranesi whose shot on the turn was saved by the left foot of Iker Casillas.

At the other end, Buffon produced a sharp save from a Senna free-kick and moments later, the Villarreal midfielder almost embarrassed the Italian keeper when his long-range effort crept under the body of the Juventus stopper, only to roll on to the post.

Italy, looked slightly more attack-minded with the introduction of Antonio Di Natale, but they posed no threat to Casillas and on the one occasion they got men into the box, Toni's attempt at an acrobatic overhead kick merely succeeded in deflecting the ball away from the incoming Grosso.

From early in the second half, extra-time looked inevitable and so it proved. In the additional half hour, Spain continued their somewhat doomed efforts to score, with Silva flashing a shot wide, and on a rare foray forward Italy's Di Natale forced Casillas into action when his header was tipped over the bar.

But, by the end of 120 minutes of largely drab football, neither side was prepared to take the risks required to avert the game being settled by penalties.

Perhaps their 2006 World Cup triumph courtesy of a penalty shootout win over France, convinced Italy that this was their best chance of success. It wasn't to be. Casillas saved efforts by De Rossi and Di Natale, and although Guiza missed for Spain, the tie was settled by Cesc Fabregas, who coolly sent Buffon the wrong way.

Spain will now meet a rapidly-improving Russia side, whom they thrashed 4-1 in their opening group game. It is possible that the previous encounter revealed the best and worst of both sides. Russia are unrecognisable from the side taken apart by David Villa, while Spain must be concerned that they peaked too early. It promises to be an intriguing encounter.


Italy 0-0 Spain (aet)
Penalty shootout
Spain 4 Italy 2
David Villa scored Fabio Grosso scored
Santi Cazorla scored Daniele De Rossi saved
Marcos Senna scored Mauro Camoranesi scored
Daniel Guiza saved Antonio Di Natale saved
Cesc Fabregas scored

Attendance: 51,178

Teams:
Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Carlos Marchena, 11-Joan Capdevila; 19-Marcos Senna; 6-Andres Iniesta (12-Santi Cazorla 59), 8-Xavi (10-Cesc Fabregas 59), 21-David Silva; 7-David Villa, 9-Fernando Torres (17-Daniel Guiza 84)

Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 2-Christian Panucci, 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 3-Fabio Grosso; 22-Alberto Aquilani (7-Alessandro Del Piero 109), 10-Daniele De Rossi, 13 Massimo Ambrosini; 20-Simone Perrotta (16-Mauro
Camoranesi 58); 18-Antonio Cassano (11-Antonio Di Natale 74), 9-Luca Toni

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)

Germany 3-2 Turkey
June 25, 2008


Germany have reached the final of Euro 2008 after they beat Turkey 3-2 on a dramatic evening in Basle.

Joachim's Low's side rode their luck against an injury-ravaged Turkey side, who can take immense pride in their efforts over the past three weeks.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Philip Lahm were on target for Germany while Ugur Boral and Semih Senturk replied for the Turks. However, the scoreline does not tell the whole story of a game, nor do justice to a depleted Turkey side that outplayed a strangely disjointed Germany side for large periods of an absorbing match.

Turkey were on top from the off against an uncharacteristically slipshod Germany. Kazim Kazim almost opened the scoring on 13 minutes after a good move down the right flank. The ball was laid back for Kazim Kazim whose right-foot shot cannoned off the bar.

Eight minutes later Turkey took the lead. The goal was symptomatic of the opening 20 minutes, with Turkey first to the ball while Germany were mere bystanders. Sabri was given acres of space on the right and his cross reached Kazim Kazim whose shot looped over Jens Lehmann and on to the bar before falling to Ugur Boral who forced the ball home via the legs of Lehmann.

It was the least Turkey deserved after a bright start to the game. It also provided a relatively novel experience for Fatih Terim's side at this tournament of having to hold on to a lead. It was to be short-lived as Germany finally woke from their slumber and responded to the mini-crisis in style.

Lukas Podolski raced down the left and delivered a perfect cross for Bastian Schweinsteiger who lifted the ball over Rustu Recber with a deft flick of the outside of his right foot.

The equaliser came against the run of play and was scarcely merited, but if the Germany team assumed that it would presage a change in the pattern of play they were soon be shaken out of their complacency as Turkey continued to run the game.

Turkey's Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop was bossing the central areas and the combination of Sabri and Kazim Kazim were proving to be a handful for the normally unflappable Philip Lahm.

After the break Turkey continued to enjoy the bulk of possession, in part due to the lamentable distribution by the German centre-backs Metzelder and Mertesacker. Frequently the pair lofted long aimless balls that were gratefully received by their Turkish counterparts. In contrast, Terim's side played a patient, controlled game, frequently probing the weak spots of the vulnerable German defence.

However, despite Turkey's superiority, the next significant moment of the game came at the other end when Lahm had a legitimate claim for a penalty turned down after he was brought down on the edge of the area. The referee waved play on, much to the annoyance of the German bench who'd risen en masse to demand a spot-kick.

The sense of injustice temporarily galvanised Germany and they began to press forward in numbers for the first time in the game. Hitzlsberger went close with a trademark long range effort, while Schweinsteiger and Podolski, who had been anonymous since combining for Germany's opener, began to make inroads on the flanks.

The respite for the German defence was brief though, as Turkey once again began to dictate the pace of the game and were able to enjoy prolonged spells of possession in the German half.

With neither side possessing the necessary penetration to carve out any clear-cut chances, the prospect of extra-time loomed. However, a howler from Rustu changed the game. The veteran keeper came out to collect a hopeful cross from Lahm, but he misjudged its trajectory and the ball reached the predatory Miroslav Klose who headed into the empty net.

Trailing 2-1 with just seven minutes remaining was hardly unfamiliar territory for Turkey at these championships, and drawing heavily on their experience as the comeback kings of Euro 2008, they were soon back on level terms. The enterprising Sabri completely outfoxed Lahm on the touchline before crossing for Semih to beat Lehmann at the near post. It was a deserved equaliser for Terim's side, who, unlike in their previous games, had been the more positive team throughout.

However, if there is one side that has historically shown their resilience and tenacity, it is of course Germany, and with one minute remaining they delivered the killer blow that finally sunk Turkish hopes.

Lahm, who had been given a torrid time on Germany's left flank, redeemed himself in some style. Advancing on goal the full-back played a one-two with Hitzlsberger before lifting the ball over the onrushing Rustu.

This time there was to be no way back for Terim's gallant side. Germany, as many people expected, had reached their goal, but no one could have foreseen the extraordinary manner in which it had been achieved.


Germany 3-2 Turkey

Scorers:
Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger 26, Miroslav Klose 79, Philipp Lahm 90
Turkey: Ugur Boral 22, Semih Senturk 86

Halftime: 1-1

Attendance: 39,374

Teams:
Germany: 1-Jens Lehmann; 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 21-Christoph Metzelder, 16-Philipp Lahm; 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 6-Simon Rolfes (8-Torsten Frings 46), 13-Michael Ballack, 15-Thomas Hitzlsperger, 20-Lukas Podolski; 11-Miroslav Klose (2-Marcell Jansen 90+2)

Turkey: 1-Rustu Recber; 20-Sabri Sarioglu, 6-Mehmet Topal, 4-Gokhan Zan, 3-Hakan Balta; 18-Kazim Kazim (11-Tumer Metin 90+1), 22-Hamit Altintop, 7-Mehmet Aurelio, 19-Ayhan Akman (21-Mevlut Erdinc 81), 16-Ugur Boral (10-Gokdeniz Karadeniz 84); 9-Semih Senturk

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)

Russia 0-3 Spain
June 26, 2008


Spain produced a wonderful second-half display to defeat Russia 3-0 and earn a place in the final of Euro 2008.

After a goalless first half, Spain struck through Xavi, Danny Guiza and David Silva to overwhelm a Russian side who struggled to compete with the fluid movement and slick passing of Luis Aragones' side.

The margin of victory was the same as Spain had achieved in their opening group match win over Russia, but in many ways this was a more impressive performance against a team who had evolved into genuine contenders over the course of the tournament.

The result means that Spain reached have reached the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1984, and on tonight's showing they will fancy their chances of ending their 48-year trophy drought.

Spain, showing no ill-effects from the 120 minutes of gruelling football they endured against Italy in the quarter-final, were the first to settle. Russia, meanwhile, perhaps wary of suffering a repeat of that drubbing, were noticeably less adventurous than they had been in their victory over Holland.

It took just six minutes for Aragones's side to create their first decent opening when David Villa found Torres on the edge of the six-yard box, but the Liverpool striker was unable to get any power in his shot and Igor Akinfeev cleared with his feet.

Villa himself tested Akinfeev when he cut infield from the left before letting fly with a shot that the Russian keeper palmed away for a corner.

Arshavin, of whom much was expected after his impressive displays in the previous two matches, was struggling to impose himself on the game and it was his fellow forward Roman Pavlyuchenko who posed a greater threat in the first half. The willing striker was set up by the Yuri Zhirkov, but his curling left foot shot sailed just wide of the post.

Spain suffered a blow on 34 minutes when David Villa was forced to leave the field through injury. The leading scorer at the competition appeared to jar his leg after taking a long range free-kick. Cesc Fabregas was brought on in place of Villa, but his introduction necessitated a change of formation with Spain now adopting a 4-5-1 set-up.

As half-time arrived there was little to choose between two evenly-matched sides. Spain had shaded it on chances, but Russia were playing their part in an intriguing tactical encounter. Opportunities were at a premium, but there was much to admire and none of the sterility that had afflicted Spain's quarter-final stalemate with Italy.

Five minutes after the break Spain were ahead. It was a goal created and completed in Barcelona with Iniesta cutting infield before crossing for Xavi to volley past Akinfeev from close range.

The goal spurred on the Spanish and within two minutes they could have doubled their lead when Torres was received a Xavi cross only to shoot over. The striker squandered further chances to extend Spain's lead and he was eventually replaced by Danny Guiza.

Guus Hiddink rang the changes for Russia by introducing Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Dmitry Sychev, but with Arshavin anonymous throughout, the substitutes were unable to make any impact on proceedings. Perhaps, distracted by the lavish praise coming his way in recent days, the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker was off his game tonight, and without him, Russia simply didn't function after the break.

It was the substitute Guiza who finally killed off Russia's hopes of a comeback when he collected a beautifully-weighted chip by Fabregas and finished coolly past the advancing Akinfeev.

Fabregas, a growing influence on the game, was heavily involved in Spain's third goal when he raced down the left touchline and set up David Silva, who took one touch before calmly stroking the ball past Akinfeev.

So, Spain, the perennial underachievers have finally come good. They face a battle-scarred Germany in Sunday's final, but they produced enough in this performance to suggest that they will start the game as favourites.


Russia 0-3 Spain

Scorers: Xavi 50, Daniel Guiza 73, David Silva 82

Halftime: 0-0

Teams:
Russia: 1-Igor Akinfeyev; 22-Alexander Anyukov, 2-Vasily Berezutsky, 4-Sergei Ignashevich, 18-Yuri Zhirkov; 17-Konstantin Zyryanov, 11-Sergei Semak, 20-Igor Semshov (15-Diniyar Bilyaletdinov 56), 9-Ivan Saenko (21-Dmitry Sychev 57); 10-Andrei Arshavin, 19-Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Carlos Marchena, 11-Joan Capdevila; 19-Marcos Senna; 6-Andres Iniesta, 8-Xavi (14-Xabi Alonso 69), 21-David Silva; 7-David Villa (10-Cesc Fabregas 35), 9-Fernando Torres (17-Daniel Guiza 69)

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)

Spain triumph
June 29, 2008

Spain claimed their first major title for 44 years after winning Euro 2008 with a 1-0 victory over Germany.
Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game when he chipped over Jens Lehmann, but the 1-0 scoreline hardly reflected the true nature of a contest in which Spain were in complete control throughout.

Germany simply had no answer to the stranglehold exerted in midfield by the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Senna and Silva, who combined to provide a measure of finesse and agility that no side in the tournament could match. With defensive security underpinned by the reliable Casillas and a potent frontline comprising Torres and Villa, coach Luis Aragnoes had done what many of his predecessors had failed to achieve: namely, blend a group of outstanding individuals into a formidable team. He now steps down, mission accomplished.

Spain began the game patient in possession but it was Germany who carried the initial threat, particularly down the left flank where Lukas Podolski and Philip Lahm were combining well and causing problems for Sergio Ramos.

The first chance of the game fell to Klose who pounced upon an errant pass from Sergio Ramos but overran the ball under pressure from Carlos Puyol. Ballack, who had been a fitness doubt right until kick-off, burst down the left and cut inside Puyol before delivering a dangerous cross into the penalty area.

Although not rattled, Spain took time to get their intricate passing game going, but when they eventually found their rhythm, they almost opened the scoring. On 14 minutes, Iniesta raced onto a wonderful pass from Xavi and crossed into the box where the backtracking Per Mertesacker forced keeper Jens Lehmann into a sharp reaction save. It was the closest we'd come to a goal and it highlighted the increasing threat of the Spaniards.

Further proof of the growing Spanish ascendancy came midway through the half when Sergio Ramos' cross was met by a firm downward header by Fernando Torres on to the post.

As the half wore on, Germany were looking increasingly vulnerable and it came as no great surprise when Spain eventually achieved the breakthrough. Xavi was the architect of the goal, but it was the pace and strength of Torres that ultimately undid Germany. Collecting a measured pass from the Barcelona midfielder, Torres flicked the ball beyond Lahm and dinked a delicate chip over Lehmann into the far corner of the net.

Ballack, who was undergoing running repairs to a cut eye, saw his frustration get the better of him when he squared up to Puyol and received a booking for his troubles. With their most influential player struggling to have any impact, Germany were rudderless and looking bereft of ideas.

Joachim Low responded to the growing crisis by replacing Philip Lahm with Marcell Jansen. It was a like-for-like substitution and it was difficult to see how the introduction of another defender could change the shape of the game.

Nonetheless, Germany are nothing if not dogged and in a brief spell after the interval they finally began to take the game to their opponents. Schweinsteiger, who had been anonymous in the first half, began to make some threatening runs down the right flank, although his delivery remained erratic. Their best chance fell to Ballack who volleyed just wide after Puyol had given the ball away near his own corner flag.

Spain were fortunate to still have eleven men on the pitch when David Villa headbutted Lukas Podolski. The incident was not spotted by the referee, much to the dismay of the German side. Shortly afterwards Aragones wisely removed Silva.

Aragones responded to the mounting threat by taking off Cesc Fabregas and bringing on the more defensively-minded Xabi Alonso. If the switch was intended to steady the ship it worked, but more importantly it also improved Spain as an attacking outfit. A flurry of chances fell their way in a frenetic spell midway through the half, with Sergio Ramos and Iniesta bringing fine saves from Lehmann.

As Germany pressed forward in search of an equaliser, the more vulnerable they became to the swift counter-attacking of the Spanish. In fact, if a second goal was coming Spain looked far more likely to score it, and the outstanding Marcos Senna was just inches away from sealing the win after another sweeping move from Aragones' side.

The game ended with Germany struggling to clear the ball out of their own half. They were a spent force who seemed unable to summon up the self-belief required to challenge Spain's authority. It had been this way for much of the game as the men in red finally banished their reputation as international football's great underachievers.

But for some wayward finishing from the victors the margin would have been much greater. At times, Spain were toying with their opponents, and only a propensity to over-elaborate in front of goal denied them the more emphatic victory their overall superiority deserved.


Germany 0-1 Spain
Scorer: Fernando Torres 33

Halftime: 0-1

Attendance: 51,428

Teams:
Germany: 1-Jens Lehmann; 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 21-Christoph Metzelder, 16-Philipp Lahm (2-Marcell Jansen 46); 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 8-Torsten Frings, 13-Michael Ballack, 15-Thomas Hitzlsperger (22-Kevin Kuranyi 58), 20-Lukas Podolski; 11-Miroslav Klose (9-Mario Gomez 79)

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Carlos Marchena, 11-Joan Capdevila; 19-Marcos Senna; 6-Andres Iniesta, 8-Xavi, 10-Cesc Fabregas (14-Xabi Alonso 63), 21-David Silva (12-Santi Cazorla 66); 9-Fernando Torres (17-Daniel Guiza 78)

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)