Spain triumph

Can you hear the drums Fernando

We don't like to be be the ones that said 'we told you so' but Spain are the European Champions.

What do you mean we didn't tell you so? Look, right, maybe we didn't actually tell you per se, but we definitely thought it.

And meant to tell you.

With David Villa out due to injury, ancient coach finally gave Cesc Fabregas a start but this time it was Xavi and Torres who engineered the breakthrough and removed Spain's reputation as big stage bottlers.

Xavi knocked the ball forward, Torres beat the defender in the sprint and somehow lobbed it over the advancing Jens Lehmann.

Torres had earlier hit the post in a first half dominated by Spain, much to the frustration of Michael 'Niggling' Ballack who, frankly, was lucky to still be on the pitch after 45 minutes.

The Germans finally found some form in the final half hour, but their pressure also opened the game up for Spain's impressive counter attacking and they should have at least doubled their tally.

Spain also had some refereeing good fortune with David Silva somehow avoiding red after appearing to headbutt Lukas Podolski (although to our eyes, Podolski seemed to have made the same gesture).

However, at the end of the day, it's a game of two halves, and the best team won.

And even more satisfying than that... With Arsenal apparently struggling to keep their side together – Adebayor may have confirmed he's staying but watch this space is all we'll say – just how long before Fabregas moves on after his performances in Euro 08?

We reckon Thursday.

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