Monday, 30 June 2008

UEFA CUP FINALS 2008 - GERMANY vs. SPAIN!

Yes, yes, I know Germany lost 0-1 to Spain. Don't rub it in, you lot of Spain supporters.

Though being an avid fan of Germany, I am rational a person enough to not rant pointlessly about Germany's loss. I won't make any excuses for them. I'm not a sore loser... I'm just going to blog about my personal opinion about the match and touched on some highlights of the game which I feel worth noting.

Okay... I'd like to begin by saying that 20 minutes into the first-half of the game, I really thought the Germans stood a chance against the Spanish despite many predictions that Germany was bound to lose. They were dominating the possession of the ball and pressuring Spain by posing threats at their goal, forcing them to play defensive.

But later on, I noticed that the Germans seemed to be lacking in accuracy. I mean, seriously, when they did their passing of the ball, it almost always ended up getting stolen from the Spanish. Besides that, their aiming were horrific. It's either the passing was too far from a comrade or too short. In the end, lost the ball. =.= Not happy about it...

On the other hand, Spain was quick on their feet and doubly aggressive. Their formation though looking rather scattered at first proved otherwise. Their passings were shaper and well coordinated.

On '33, the dreaded moment for Germany's fans dawned. Liverpool's Fernando Torres took control of the ball and made his way to Germany's goal. Phil Lahm tried to tackle him but he brushed him aside. And Jen Lehmann, Germany's goalkeeper rushed up in attempt to grab the ball. Alas, Torres skipped past him and made that score which practically sealed Germany's fate.

I was really flabbergasted at the goal because I had an ominous feeling that it would be bad. I was fervently hoping that Germany would do a comeback later in the game as they had done in previous games before the finals.

Before the first-half ended, Michael Ballack collided with one of the Spanish players and got himself bleeding at his right eye. (It looked horribly PAINFUL!) And for a reason which I've forgotten, both teams' captains earned themselves a yellow card each from the Italian referee! What an end for the first-half of the game!

Entering the second-half of the match, for the first ten minutes, Miroslav Klose seemed to be accidents-ridden. He was kicked at one of his lower legs and another time, at his...err...private part...*ouch*!

Into the '53, OMG! Was it Silva or Torres who attempted another score. And gosh! I was so certain it'd be a second goal for Spain!!!

However, Germany was picking up pace. Too late, really. They should have geared up from the start...

'59, Ballack passed to Klose and Klose aimed! And he missed so darn NARROWLY!!! *moans* Bastian Schweinsteiger made many attempts to score as well. He looked so flustered and frustrated, the poor fellow.

Lehmann made a spectacular save in the '67 during a free kick, keeping Germany's hope burning a little while longer.

But reaching the last minute, I really lost hope. Germany needed a miracle but what the hell, the last minute was wasted over bickering when the referee blew the whistle for a foul. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, it's the LAST minute!!! The commentator was saying something like, "Spain's victory is inevitable now."

Ah... well. Undeniably, the Spanish was the better team this morning. They deserved the trophy. Fernando Torres became D' Man of the day for Spain. *laughs*

"We are the champions, my friend~"

And to Germany,please don't feel down. No matter what, I'm still your big fan! You guys are still my favourite team~!
Team Germany~!!!

Germany's coach, Joachim Low on the right


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