Germany 0-1 Spain

Spain: Torres 33

Spain claimed their first major title for 44 years after winning Euro 2008 with a deserved victory over Germany.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was Spain's goal hero, striking after 33 minutes when he cleverly lifted Xavi's pass over Germany keeper Jens Lehmann.

Spain dominated the final throughout, with Torres heading against the post and Marcos Senna almost adding a second from close range after 80 minutes.

Michael Ballack came close for Germany, shooting narrowly wide after the break.

Spain have long had a reputation as under-achievers on the big occasions, but this was a richly-merited victory for veteran coach Luis Aragones and a team that played outstanding football throughout the tournament.

Germany were outclassed, and for captain Ballack his catalogue of misery in major finals continues having lost two Champions League finals and also been suspended for the 2002 World Cup final when they lost to Brazil.

Match-winner Torres enhanced the reputation he forged at Liverpool last season, but this was an all-round effort for a side that is young enough to already be marked down among the favourites for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Germany were lifted by Ballack declaring himself fit after a calf injury - but he had little impact on a first 45 minutes in which Spain were the vastly-superior side.

Andres Iniesta almost created the opening goal for Spain in the 13th minute when his driven cross took a deflection off Christoph Metzelder, but Lehmann pulled off a fine reflex save.

And they came even closer nine minutes later when Torres rose to meet Sergio Ramos's cross, but his header bounced to safety off the post.

But he was not to be denied and put Spain ahead with a trademark piece of sharpness in front of goal after 33 minutes.

Xavi's pass created uncertainty for Germany defender Philipp Lahm and Torres shrugged him off the ball to lift a superb finish beyond Lehmann.

Germany's problems threatened to worsen when Ballack needed lengthy treatment for an eye wound after a clash of heads with Marcos Senna.

David Silva then wasted a perfect opportunity to double Spain's advantage when he was set up by Iniesta, but he rushed his finish and shot wildly over the top.

Germany made a change at half-time, sending on Marcell Jansen for Lahm, but it was still Spain who dominated.

Xavi and Silva were both off target - but Germany were sticking to their task and almost grabbed an equaliser when Ballack shot just wide after Carles Puyol had conceded possession in a dangerous area.

Spain continued to look the more threatening side, but there was still the lingering prospect of Germany's refusal to accept defeat yielding an unlikely equaliser.

Silva was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he appeared to motion to head-butt Germany's Lukas Podolski, but Italian referee Roberto Rosetti decided against taking any action.

Ramos should have put the game beyond Germany's reach after 66 minutes when he headed straight at Lehmann from point-blank range as he got on the end of Xavi's free-kick.

Iniesta then had a shot cleared off the line by Torsten Frings and another effort saved by Lehmann as Spain looked in the mood to add a second.

And Germany had a remarkable escape after 80 minutes when substitute Daniel Guiza - on for Torres - headed the ball straight into Senna's path right in front of goal, but he could not apply the final touch.

Spain were not made to pay for their generosity in front of goal and ran out worthy winners.

Spain midfielder Xavi has been named the best player of Euro 2008.

The Barcelona star was a regular member of the tournament-winning side and scored the opener in the semi-final win over Russia.

Xavi, 28, was one of nine Spain players selected among a team of 23 by a panel of Uefa technical experts.

Manchester United's Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar, Chelsea's Michael Ballack, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool's Fernando Torres all made the final 23.

Ballack was part of the Germany side that lost in the final, while Fabregas and Torres helped Spain seal the spoils.

Chelsea's new signing Jose Bosingwa of Portugal and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, who will play for Tottenham in the Premier League next season, were also both selected.

There was no room in the final selection for Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo.

Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands).

Defenders
Bosingwa (Portugal), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Carlos Marchena (Spain), Pepe (Portugal), Carles Puyol (Spain), Yuri Zhirkov (Russia).

Midfielders
Hamit Altintop (Turkey), Luka Modric (Croatia), Marcos Senna (Spain), Xavi Hernández (Spain), Konstantin Zyryanov (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germany), Cesc Fàbregas (Spain), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Lukas Podolski (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands).

Forwards
Andrei Arshavin (Russia), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia), Fernando Torres (Spain), David Villa (Spain).

4 David Villa (Spain)

3 Lukas Podolski (Germany)
3 Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russian)
3 Hakan Yakin (Switzerland)
3 Semih Senturk (Turkey)

2 Wesley Sneijder (Nedherlands)
2 Robin van Persie (Nedherlands)
2 Ruud van Nistelrooy (Nedherlands)
2 Nihat Kahveci (Turkey)
2 Arda Turan (Turkey)
2 Michael Ballack (Germany)
2 Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
2 Miroslav Klose (Germany)
2 Ivan Klasnic (Croatia)
2 Andrei Arshavin (Russian)
2 Dani Guiza (Spain)
2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)

1 Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Nedherlands)
1 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Nedherlands)
1 Arjen Robben (Nedherlands)
1 Dirk Kuyt (Nedherlands)
1 Pepe (Portugal)
1 Raul Meireles (Portugal)
1 Deco (Portugal)
1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
1 Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal)
1 Nuno Gomes (Portugal)
1 Helder Postiga (Portugal)
1 Cesc Fàbregas (Spain)
1 Fernando Torres (Spain)
1 Rubén de la Red (Spain)
1 David Silva (Spain)
1 Xavi(Spain)
1 Václav Sverkos (Czech Republic)
1 Jan Koller (Czech Republic)
1 Jaroslav Plasil(Czech Republic)
1 Libor Sionko (Czech Republic)
1 Václav Sverkos (Czech Republic)
1 Luka Modric (Croatia)
1 Darijo Srna (Croatia)
1 Ivica Olic (Croatia)
1 Christian Panucci (Italy)
1 Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
1 Daniele De Rossi (Italy)
1 Dmitri Torbinski (Russian)
1 Konstantin Zyrianov (Russian)
1 Ivica Vastic (Austria)
1 Thierry Henry (France)
1 Angelos Charisteas (Greece)
1 Philipp Lahm (Germany)
1 Roger Guerreiro (Poland)
1 Adrian Mutu (Romania)
1 Petter Hansson (Sweden)
1 Ugur Boral (Turkey)

29 June - Vienna
Germany 0-1 Spain

25 June - Basel
Germany 3-2 Turkey

26 June - Vienna
Russia 0-3 Spain

19 June - Basel
Portugal 1-2 Germany

20 June - Vienna
Croatia 1-1 Turkey (1-3 pens)

21 June - Basel
Holland 1-3 Russia (aet)

22 June - Vienna
Spain 0-0 Italy (4-2 pens)

1.Portugal (Q)
2.Turkey (Q)
3.Czech Republic
4.Switzerland

Group A fixtures

Sat 7th June
Switzerland 0 - 1 Czech Republic
Portugal 2 - 0 Turkey

Wed 11th June
Czech Republic 3-1 Portugal
Switzerland 1-2 Turkey

Sun 15th June
Turkey 3-2 Czech Republic
Switzerland 2-0 Portugal

1.Croatia (Q)
2.Germany (Q)
3.Austria
4.Poland

Group B fixtures

Sun 8th June
Austria 0-1 Croatia
Germany 2-0 Poland

Thu 12th June
Croatia 2-1 Germany
Austria 1-1 Poland

Mon 16th June
Poland 0-1 Croatia
Austria 0-1 Germany

1.Netherlands (Q)
2.Italy (Q)
3.Romania
4.France

Group C fixtures

Mon 9th June
Romania 0-0 France
Holland 3-0 Italy

Fri 13th June
Italy 1-1 Romania
Holland 4-1 France

Tue 17th Jun
France 0-2 Italy
Holland 2-0 Romania

1.Spain (Q)
2.Russia (Q)
3.Sweden
4.Greece

Group D fixtures

Tue 10th June
Spain 4-1 Russia
Greece 0-2 Sweden

Sat 14th June
Sweden 2-1 Spain
Greece 0-1 Russia

Wed 18th June
Greece 1-2 Spain
Russia 2-0 Sweden

The match ball for the finals was unveiled at the draw ceremony. Produced by Adidas and named the Europass, it is a 14-panel ball in the same construction as the Teamgeist, but with a modified surface design. A version named the Europass Gloria will be used in the final.

The slogan for UEFA Euro 2008 was chosen on 24 January 2007: Expect Emotions.

The UEFA President Michel Platini stated "It describes in a nutshell what the UEFA Euro 2008 has to offer: all kinds of emotions - joy, disappointment, relief or high tension - right up to the final whistle."

The two official mascots for UEFA Euro 2008, were named after a vote from the public of the two host nations, the options were:

Zagi and Zigi
Flitz and Bitz
Trix and Flix
After receiving 36.3% of the vote, Trix and Flix were chosen. "I am sure the mascots and their names will become a vital part of the understanding of the whole event," said Christian Mutschler, who is the tournament director for Switzerland.

A new trophy will be awarded to the winners of the Euro 2008 tournament. The new version of the Henri Delaunay Trophy, created by Asprey London, is almost an exact replica of the original designed by Arthus-Bertrand. A small figure juggling a ball on the back of the original has been removed, as has the marble plinth. The silver base of the trophy also had to be enlarged to make it stable. The names of the winning countries that had appeared on the plinth have now been engraved on the back of the trophy, which is made of sterling silver, weighs 8 kilograms (17.6 lb) and is 60 centimetres (24 in) tall.