Starting Teams-
Spain: Casillas(C), Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta
Italy: Buffon(C), Abate, Bonucci, Chiellini, Barzagli, Pirlo, Motolivo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Cassano, Balotelli
The final of a very enjoyable Euro's came on a balmy night in Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine. The Spanish fans in their red and gold made up the noticeable majority in a packed Olympic Stadium. For the atmosphere it proved to be an excellent choice of venue and Kiev is known to be a football mad city. The teams lined up and it was time for the national anthems. The Spanish looked cool, calm and collected- a familiar feeling for many players on their side to be playing in a final. The Italian players sung with passion, their rousing anthem Fratelli d'Italia.
The first half of the final was the most enjoyable. It was showing the makings of a classic and though the Spanish led, Italy looked like they were capable of scoring and were seeing a-lot of the ball. The second half started as the first finished. Both teams attacked well and played at a high tempo. The Spanish were the most impressive, especially with their movement- they looked the most threatening overall. Poor defending on Chiellini's part allowed Cesc Fabregas to breakaway and get in an inch perfect ball right a cross the face of the goal for an onrushing David Silva to head in. Spains second of the game was a beauty by Jordi Alba, four minutes from half time. One of the best goals of the tournament and my favourite, brilliant finish and build up to the goal. Spain at their best, up the pitch in three passes, the third being the brilliant pass by Xavi picking out Alba. Started with Iker Casillas playing it onto the left, ball was then played infield to Xavi. Spain went in with their tails up but a powerful strike from Ricardo Montolivo was a test for Casillas. The ball was parried out into the box, fortunately for Spain Ramos was there to clear. Antonio di Natale came on as a second half substitute in place of Cassano. Di Natale had an immediate impact and promptly had two chances. With Di Natale on he added another dimension to the Italian attack. Italy were very unfortunate to lose two players to injury in the course of the game. Both Chiellini and Motta needed replacing, it left Italy to play the last half hour of the match with just ten men. It was a sorry situation to be in and of all the teams to be playing a man down against, Spain would have to be the worst. Their ability to work the ball and retain posession is energy sapping enough at the best of times. After that happened the game was really over as a contest and the Spanish stormed to a 4-0 victory. The Italians were virtually on their knee's by the end of the game. The Spanish carved them open with ease in the final stages. Fernando Torres and Juan Mata came on as substitutes both scoring and giving the delerious Spanish fans evenmore cause for celebration. Joy unfolded at the final whistle, the Spanish substitutes flooded onto the pitch. The Spanish raised the trophy high as streamers fell. It was cute to see the players children playing with all the streamers and confetti. Can only imagine the carnival like atmosphere in Spain and going by the pictures the players certainly came home to a hero's welcome.
So that is it fot football for a while. It will also be the last Euro's tournament, intimately playing with sixteen teams. The next finals will switch to a 32 team format like the World Cup There is of course the football side of the London 2012 Olympic Games, can't really get too excited about that but sure to catch a game here and there for a chance to catch a glimpse at some young and rising stars in the game.
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