No! This is worse than being an England and Germany supporter at the same time to me! Spain has always been my sentimental favourite to be in the final, and it really happened. And Germany has always been my team since the 2006 World Cup. They are in the final too.
As much as I am happy (and a little surprised) at Spain's performance against Russia, the fact that they will face Germany...oh no, oh no. I could be bursting into tears even. Not tears of happiness. I was saying this in my head after the reality had sunk in - 'Why must this happen to me?'. All along when it comes to football predictions, I 'flunked' big time. Coming into this tournament, I had always knew Spain was my sentimental favourite to be in the final. Back then I don't even have much faith in the German national team, the same team I support, the same team which is the reason why I am looking forward to the tournament (given my other team England didn't qualify). I only know I like to see Spain in the final, just based on the fact that...it's about time. Winning it in 1964, came close in 1984 when they lost to host nation, favourites and eventual winners France (talking about past European Championships, that is). My prediction may sound a little far-fetched then but, it's a reality now.
It's like for once, I really hit the jackpot...big time. And I actually never wager a bet with anyone that Spain will be in the final, really. My father had only knew from the start he like to see a Portugal-Spain final but then since eventual finalist Germany beat Portugal in the quarter-final, Spain is all that left for him. For me, my heart is going to be torn into two on the day of the final in Vienna. So fellow Germany fans, 'shoot' me now if you want. I am hating this.
Alright, the final score is this - Russia 0-3 Spain. Something is eerily similar. Another three-goal margin. It was also a three-goal margin in the group stages when these two last met (4-1 to Spain). The action only really comes alive in the second-half (as all three goals came during then) and at the end of the final whistle, it's confirmed - it will be Germany versus Spain in the final. By the way, anyone interested in whether Cesc Fabregas did play in this match...he did. But at the expense of his fellow teammate and current top goal-scorer of the tournament, David Villa had to leave the pitch after about 35 minutes of play because of pulling the muscle which left coach Luis Aragones pessimistic on Villa's chances to play against Germany. Fabregas came on as a substitute for Villa actually.
The Arsenal midfielder (Fabregas, I mean) did had a hand in two of the three Spanish goals. And it was great to see how those came about, speaking as a Manchester United and Germany supporter. Eek! Anyhow, there has always been debates on whether Cesc Fabregas should start this match against Russia (maybe after his eventual penalty which sent his countrymen to the semis). If what wily old man Luis Aragones ('wily old man' has always been my nickname of sorts to the Spain coach...it just came into my head) saying about the Valencia striker David Villa's involvement for the final is true, then maybe it's time for Fabregas to take centrestage. And that means...he will be up against, his soon-to-be former Arsenal teammate Jens Lehmann (who is at goal for Germany...though I wonder will he be up to the task on the big day itself after his performance against Turkey). For Fabregas who was part of the Arsenal side which lost to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final (where a certain Lehmann was sent off), he don't want to lose another major final again.
It will be since 1984 Spain reached the final of a major tournament. Back then their opponent was France...and Spain lost (with a certain Michel Platini becoming the hero of the 1984 version). 24 years on, their opponent is three-time European winners Germany. Coach Luis Aragones may be happy that his side are through to the final but, the words of former England international Gary Lineker was on his mind when talking about who are they facing in the final. Lineker used to famously said this - Football is a simple game, 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win. As for Russia coach Guus Hiddink, he is gracious in Russia's loss to Spain and saying they deserved to be in the final. And also that Spain wore them out.
While the Russian press lamented 'the end of the fairytale' (while also at the same time, telling its readers not to lose hope given again, this side that Hiddink is leading...is actually the youngest squad in Euro 2008 and so time will be on their side ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers), the Spanish press unleashed a torrent of praise for their boys in Vienna for their 'dazzling' display. Though it's also worthwhile to note that until the final against Germany, nothing has been achieved yet and two Spanish newspapers heeded the word of caution first. But really, if I am a neutral watching Russia versus Spain, I will be definitely amazed at the latter's performance (in the second-half, that is). Naturally, the Spainards who came to Vienna to watch the action, they went wild after their boys were through to the final. Hey, even Spain's Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Letizia were among the stadium audiences too (Crown Prince Felipe's parents were not in attendance given they were there to witness Spain beat Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals before the semis). And I remembered the cameras did aimed at Crown Princess Latizia at one time that she was happy at one of the goals scored.
As a result of 'La Fura Roja' being in the final, the Spanish Football Federation announced today that should Spain beat Germany this Sunday, all on the squad will receive bonuses of 214,000 euros. It has already been decided before the tournament actually. Spain's 3-0 demolition of Russia also boosted TV viewing back home in Spain given as according to Spanish media and marketing firm Barlovento Comunicacion that in the country itself, it drew a record TV audience of more than 17 million viewers (and it set a new record since figures were compiled in Spain in 1992). The day after the win over Russia, even without David Villa, the team was in a relaxed mood during their light training session.
The fact that Spain had been consistently winning all their matches (where Holland and Croatia had failed in the knock-out rounds even after winning all their group matches) since from their opening match has definitely not caught Germany unawares. Or as according to Germany coach Joachim Loew. Memo to the bundestrainer: I hope you know what to do when the final comes this Sunday.
Match thought of the day: I know Germany defender Christoph Metzelder will come up against his Real Madrid colleagues in the form of Iker Casillas (who is at goal for his country) and Sergio Ramos. But then there is also another strange thought of mine in terms of German-Spanish footballing relations. Germany striker Mario Gomez. Alright, he may not have the best of performances in this tournament (as a VfB Stuttgart supporter, he disappointed me...or maybe again, is it because the pressure to perform?). So, will he start against the country where his father originally comes from in the final? For the record, Gomez is half-Spanish and half-German (through his mother). Anyhow...like as if it will happen (unless there are some circumstances I cannot predict).
Spain refuse to fall under 'wizard' Hiddink's spell (The South Koreans gave him free international flights for life after the 2002 World Cup, Russia's offered him honorary citizenship for his exploits at Euro 2008 - if Guus Hiddink ever took charge of Saudi Arabia he could end up with his very own oil well. Hiddink or the wizard as he's been christened by the grateful Russian media, has once again proved he's the master at polishing a rough diamond to make it sparkle like never before.)
'Big boots' one step away from history (As a player Luis Aragones earned the nickname 'Zapatones' or big boots and his will certainly be hard to fill when he stands down as Spain coach after his side's exorcising of so many ghosts at Euro 2008. Like most men within weeks of turning 70 Aragones can be irascible and short-tempered but he has won the hearts of a nation with his team's exploits at these championships. By masterminding Spain's passage to Thursday's semi-final against Russia he ended the 1964 champions' well earned reputation of falling short when it mattered most.)
Arshavin's future bright despite big night wash-out (Russia's jewel of a midfielder Andrei Arshavin was as quiet as a church mouse on Thursday against Spain but it would be foolhardy to suggest the international stage has heard the last word from the Zenit St Petersburg star. Arshavin had been the talk of the town all week, and with good reason.)
