So, approximately an hour to go until the final kicks off, and having not seen either of the semis in full, I figured it was worth waiting until now to look back at the results and take a look ahead to the appetising game that will close the tournament.
I saw the last ten minutes of Germany’s win over Turkey, and it looks like I got a pretty good deal. Sure, there were three goals before then, two for Germany, but as I understand Germany were underwhelming at best while Turkey were a little out of their depths despite their opposition. The two goals that I did see, one apiece for Semih Senturk and Phillipp Lahm, were impressive ones, however – Semih’s an excellent poacher’s finish capitalising on some enterprising wing play (and, it has to be said, disappointing full-back play), and Lahm’s last-gasp effort an expertly crafted team goal, regardless of any literal slip-ups at the back (mentioning no names, Colin Kazim-Richards…). Exciting as it would have been to see Turkey topple Germany, I certainly feel we’re in for a better final as a result, as this Turkey side lacks both the quality and the squad depth (not all their own fault) to put up a good fight against Spain, who must surely now be considered favourites.
Yes, I know they’re playing the nation of inevitable tournament wins, but after Luis Aragones’ side powerfully took the wind out of Russia’s sails in the second semi, it’s hard to identify a department in which Spain are not better than the Germans. As well as David Villa had played so far for his four goals, his injury led to an even more fluid and dangerous line-up thanks to the introduction of Fabregas, who put Russia to the sword with an exemplary performance, far outshining Andrei Arshavin whose three contrasting games here haven’t really given conclusive proof either way of whether he’s the real deal. A move to Barcelona awaits, but I can’t see him getting into that starting XI, no matter how poor they were last year.
So we’re left with the two teams who, while not being the best two in the tournament (that would be Spain and Holland), have certainly been the best teams in their halves of the draw, meaning we really do have the perfect final, and it’s not often you can say that. I’m optimistic of an exciting game in which Germany must take the initiative if they want to stifle Spain’s superior quality, but if the Spainsh, and particularly Fabregas and David Silva, are allowed to play the way they want to they will win. My money’s on Spain, as it has been from the start, and just once, I’d love to be right. Here’s hoping.
