Euro 2008 final roundup

The team with the most Liverpool players in it has won Euro 2008.  Spain–boasting Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, and Pepe Reina–are the champions of Europe.

In the final against German, Torres scored the lone goal to settle the match. Xavi played a clever through ball which looked lost when Torres sped around Philip Lahm and dinked the ball over the on-rushing Jens Lehman.

In fact, much of the Spanish attack went through Torres. His off-the-ball runs created space for Spain’s short, swift, sharp passing game. Without strike parnter David Villa on the pitch due to injury, Torres found much more space within which to stretch his legs. He was a constant threat to the German goal, and highlighted that by headed onto the post roughly 10 minutes prior to scoring.

Xabi Alonso came on for Cesc Fabregas in the 62nd minute, and calmed the game down. His composure and positioning next to Marcos Senna allowed Spain to continue to dominate posession even when Germany were frantic to score an equalizer. Eventually the Germans gave up and hoiste the ball over the midfield in an attempt to circumvent it.

Then, in the 77th minute Torres left the pitch for Daniel Guiza. He had run the entire match and should have scored more. Luckily, his one proved enough.

After the match, Torres grabbed a Spanish flag from a fan and draped it over his shoulders. He could be seen celebrating with Reina, Alonso, and Arbeloa. Then, for the trophy ceremony, he wrapped the flag around him like a skirt. The delight on his face was apparent for all to see.

The Liverpool Spanish contingent will not leave for a well-earned vacation and are due back at Melwood in three weeks.