Torres helps Spain end title drought
Soccer Betting Lines
06/29/2008 -
Vienna, Austria (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fernando Torres scored in the 33rd minute
to help Spain end a 44-year title drought with a 1-0 win over Germany in the
final of Euro 2008 on Sunday.
Spain's last major title came in 1964, when they beat the Soviet Union 2-1 for
the European championship, but after many early exits and disappointing
finishes, Spain can finally lift another major trophy.
The Spanish were the better side throughout most of the match, with Germany
posing little threat in attack. Torres was a constant problem for the German
defense as he hit the post in the 23rd minute before finding the net 10
minutes later.
The result also continues a lengthy unbeaten run for Spain, which now sits at
22 matches without defeat.
The Germans were making their sixth appearance in the European final, but they
failed to win a record fourth title as they were held scoreless for the first
time in the tournament.
Germany had a more positive opening 10 minutes but it was German goalkeeper
Jens Lehmann who faced the first real test of the match in the 15th minute.
Andres Iniesta got down the left wing and into the box before he cut the ball
back and played it towards the penalty spot. Germany defender Christoph
Metzelder was tracking back and the ball struck his leg, redirecting it on
goal. Fortunately for Germany, Lehmann reacted well and tipped the ball around
the post.
Spain then created another good opportunity in the 23rd minute, this time from
the right wing. Defender Sergio Ramos got forward and delivered a cross to the
back post for Torres, and he rose up over defender Per Mertesacker to head the
ball off the post.
The Spanish continued to enjoy the better of the play, and they were rewarded
with a goal in the 33rd minute.
Marcos Senna started the play with a pass from midfield to Xavi, who quickly
turned and threaded a pass to Torres. The striker dashed after the ball, shook
off Philip Lahm, and flicked it past a sprawling Lehmann just inside the left
post.
Germany put together a small spell of pressure towards the end of the half,
but Spain was clearly on top as the two teams entered the break.
Lehmann was forced to come off his line to snatch the ball away from Torres 10
minutes after the restart, but it was clear that the pace of the Spanish
striker was giving Germany's big defenders trouble.
The Germans then produced their best chance of the match to that point on the
hour mark, with Bastian Schweinsteiger dropping the ball off to Michael
Ballack, but his half-volley clipped the outside of the post from 20 yards.
A lapse in the German defense then allowed Ramos a free header from eight
yards that was tipped over the net by Lehmann, and Iniesta had a shot cleared
off the goal line by Torsten Frings.
Spain had a chance to put the game away with 10 minutes to play when Santi
Cazorla's cross was nodded through the face of goal by Daniel Guiza into the
path of Senna. Lehmann was out of position, but Senna failed to connect with
the ball from six yards out and it skipped out of play.
Germany was running out of time but they did a poor job of keeping possession
in midfield, allowing Spain to take precious seconds off the clock.
One of the themes of the tournament has been late-game heroics, but there
would be none on this day as Germany struggled to get the ball forward,
allowing Spain to finally claim glory.
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Pacific-10 Conference odds
Teams that should be in: Stanford
 Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.
Should be in:
Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.
| Southeastern Conference odds |
Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State
 It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it.
Work left to do:
Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney.
Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson.
Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable.
Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile. |
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