Euro Final

Spain Vs. Germany - Coming This Sunday

It looks like Spain is the stronger team coming into the Euro Final but I believe we should look at it closer. Clearly, the game cannot be won by one player or even a group of 4 players - all players from both sides must be analyzed. I will be giving pluses and minuses to the different players.

Casillas/Lehmann (Goalies):

+1 to Casillas for his efforts in the penalty shots, and overall performance. Although he only had to make 1 or 2 saves against the Russians, he did it, keeping the clean sheet. On the other hand, -1 to Lehmann for his sometimes awkward saves, poor judgment, and extremley poor goalie kicks. However, Lehmann in the past, has stepped up in big games, will he step up again?

Puyol and Marchena/Metzelder and Mertesacker (Centre Backs):

I'm going to have to give Spain's centre backs a 0 on this one. Although Puyol and Marchena have shown they can hold off strikers like Pavlyuchenko, they have failed to hold off the likes of Ibrahimovic. They have not been tested by top quality strikers (Toni played extremley poorly that game) and it is difficult to determine whether they can perform or not. Although Puyol is one of the best in the game, his partner Marchena has never been pressured - we have never seen Marchena in this type of situation before. +1 to Mertesacker and Metzelder although some would disagree. The pair have been extremley solid at the back (their wingbacks have been poor defensively). Also, the pair are extremely involved in set-plays, where they usually are taller than most players. Look for the two German centre-backs to contribute and possibly score on free kick headers.

Capdevilla and Ramos/Lahm, Jansen, and Fritz (Wing backs):

+ 2 to Spain's wingbacks, while 0 to Germany's wingbacks. While Ramos and Capdevilla haveboth been constatnly pushing up and providing the Midfield with even more options, Lahm and company have been inconsistent at times. Although Lahm has played extremley well, the other German backs on the other side (Jansen and Fritz), are poor defensively and do not possess the same skill as Lahm, Capdevilla, and Ramos. The wingbacks on Spain are also great defenders - they run up with the play and also get back. This one clearly goes to Spain.

Xavi/Ballack (Centre attacking Midfields):

+ 2 to Xavi and + 1 to Ballack. Xavi has crafted every Spanish attack , except when he got substituted and Ballack has looked 'out of the game' many times. Although Ballack has proven effective on set plays, he has never really controlled the game. Xavi, on the other hand, controls the pace and mood of the game. Look for Ballack to step up - if he does not, Germany is done.

Senna/Frings (Centre defensive Midfields):

+ 1 to Senna and + 2 to Frings. Senna, has proven to eveyrone, that a no namer can come to this tournament and dominate. Sennaa is the enforcer for the Spanish and has clearly done just that. Senna blends well with his fellow midfielders but is not an attacking asset. He tends to stay back while others create offensively. Frings on the other hand, is arguably the best at his position. Contributing both offensively and acting as a wall defensively, Frings is a versatile and strong player. As Germany's corner taker as well, Frings has not only been the defensive stalwart, but a major contributor to Germany's offence. Frings, must be able to control Xavi in the game, if not, Spain will control the momentum of the game.

Silva/Podolski (Left Wingers):

+ 2 to Silva and + 3 to Podolski. Silva, the very left footed winger has dominated every game. He has scored, passed, set up plays, and dazzled. He is the whole package. I would take him on my team. On the other hand, Podolski has managed to score many goals, showing that he can play up front and in the midfield. Podolski's size and strength have allowed him to be in great position for shots and rarely misses. The strike of Podolski may be able to change the game, while Silva, although he has a very decent shot, will most likely not contribute to the scoring sheet.

Iniesta/Freidrich and Fritz (Right Wingers):

+ 1 to Iniesta and 0 to the Right wingers from Germany. Iniesta, although the weakest of all the Spanish midfield, is far more effective than any German right winger. Both Freidrich and Fritz, tend to not create as much offence as Iniesta and tend to stay back a bit more. However, that is not to say that they are not as fast, strong, and skilled as Iniesta. Iniesta has excellent passing while the German Right Wingers are less 'offesnvely minded'. Look for Iniesta to be a strong opponent for Podolski and look for the Right Wing to be difficult to attack for Silva.

Torres and Villa/Klose and Schwiensteiger (Strikers):

Torres and Villa have been the best pair of strikers in the whole tournament - but is Villa fit to play on Sunday after his injury and sibstitution in the semi-final game against Russa? Villa, on pace to win the golden boot has dominated defenses, while Torres, not to be outdone, has equally been strong and quick upfront. These two, will cause problems in the German defense and must be contained. However, that is easier said than done. + 2 for the Spanish strikers. Germany's strikers, although extremely strong, cannot compete with the Spanish strikers. Klose, at times has been the set-up man, but really needs to start scoring rather than passing. Schweinsteiger, may be perhaps as good as Torres or Villa in terms of skill and finishing, but he is not as fast or strong as the Spanish forwards. However, unlike the Spanish attack, Schweinsteiger and Klose will cause very little problems for Puyol and company. Klose is slow and Schweinsteiger is not fast enough. + 1 to the German Strikers. They have gotten the team this far and deserve some credit.

Fabregas, Guiza, Xabi Alonzo/Mario Gomez, Hitzelsperger, Jansen, Fritz (Key Substitutes):

Spanish substitues + 1 and 0 for german substitutes for good reason. Fabregas and company have dominated, and played equally as good as the starters while Germany's bench, in comparison to Spain's bench is less effective.

Overall: the score is:

Spain: 12
Germany: 5

In the Euro Final, all fingers point to Spain. But I will always take 2:1 odds for Germany. Anything can happen, look for an exciting final for 2008.