Convincing and classy. The Spanish lead the way

After thirty three minutes of the European Championship final in Vienna, the Spanish midfielder Xabi cut an appealing ball through the German defence; Fernando Torres skipped in behind the retreating Phillipp Lahm and subtly nipped the ball delicately over the arms of the advancing German goalkeeper.

It was the decisive moment in a football match defined by the fluid passing of a Spanish team that was smouldering with talent. In contrast Germany were wretched. They huffed and puffed but failed to ignite the faintest of sparks. A bit like a toothless dog trying to chew on a bone.

Somehow Spain managed not to score again and the score remain 1-0. It hardly mattered. As the referee, Roberto Rosetti, signalled the end of the match with a sharp blow on his whistle after ninety three minutes, Plaza de Colón in Madrid burst into scenes excited celebration and King Juan Carlos shook his fist defiantly in the air.

It was Spain’s first major title for 44 years and the unfortunate fact that it was a Sunday night was not going to dampen hopes of an impending party. The situation was personified by the frantic banging of Spain’s most celebrated fan, Manolo el del Bombo, who appeared on television screens beating his ‘drum of Spain’ and wearing his familiar wide-brimmed Basque beret.

In a scene laced with irony, Trafalgar Square became the epicentre of the celebrations of the Spanish community in London. Obviously the authorities hadn’t been informed of the Spanish celebratory predisposition for jumping into fountains and within two hours of the victory, a spontaneous botellón was raging amongst the dancing, the singing and the occasional water fight.

For Spain and its citizens it was a glorious end to a tournament that was infused with excitement, drama and surprise. On a personal note, I’d like to nominate Marcos Senna as my player of the tournament – and I wonder that if it is possible for Spain to win something after 44 years, then England can galvanise themselves to do something productive after 42.

We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, it’s ‘A por ellos’ and ‘¡Viva España!’

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