Euro 2008

”Football was the winner” is one of the most over-worn cliches in the game but it happened to be true about Spain’s victory in Euro 2008.

Spain ended their 44-year wait for a major international title with a 1-0 victory over Germany at the Euro 2008 final in Vienna on Sunday.

Toni Horcajada is a Catalan and proud of it. But his allegiances are, at least at the moment, complicated. Tonight he will be supporting Spain.

The battle for the Euro 2008 title is encapsulated by the duel between Michael Ballack and Cesc Fabregas, where the German captain’s power is pitted a

Of the eight coaches who led their teams to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, the youngest is still in his 30s, while the oldest will be 70 next month.

Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, ensured they made the Euro 2008 final with a 3-0 demolition of Russia on Thursday.

Rafael Nadal has been granted his wish for an early start at Wimbledon on Thursday so he can watch Spain’s Euro 2008 semifinal against Russia.

Defender Philipp Lahm’s late strike put Germany in Sunday’s Euro 2008 final and sealed a 3-2 win to knock out injury-ravaged Turkey on Wednesday.

If Spain expects the same generosity from Russia in the semifinals that it received in the teams’ first match of the tournament, it must think again.

Russia coach Guus Hiddink has told his players to enjoy themselves in their Euro 2008 semifinal clash against Spain on Thursday.

Turkey’s bid to beat Germany and reach the final of Euro 2008 is in danger of being wrecked by injuries and suspensions.

Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties after a goalless Euro 2008 quarterfinal on Sunday to end their shoot-out hoodoo and reach the last four.

Dutchman Guus Hiddink led his young Russian team to a memorable 3-1 win in the Euro 2008 tournament on Saturday over his Dutch compatriots.

The last two minutes of Croatia’s Euro 2008 loss to Turkey will torment Croatia coach Slaven Bilic for the rest of his life.

It is pretty good stuff, this European Championship. In some ways it is better than a World Cup, a tournament that has become too big.