Real Madrid

After 22 days of spectacular matches, Spain was proclaimed champion of Euro 2008 after defeating Germany 1-0. The long journey which began in Innsbruck concluded in Ernst Happel Satdium in Vienna, where their victory is already a part of Spanish football history.

The quarterfinals kicked off on 19 June in Basil with a spectacular duel between Portugal and Germany. While Pepe and company had an easier time clinching their berth in the knockout round, it was Christoph Metzelder's squad who eliminated the former tournament hosts 3-2 with goals by Schweinsteiger, Klose, and Ballack.

Croatia and Turkey met on 20 June in Vienna; a match eventually decided by a penalty shootout after the Turks equalised in the 92nd minute.

In the third quarterfinal Russia pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating Netherlands 1-3 in added time. Van Nistelrooy and Sneijder were the only two Dutchmen to create any semblance of danger for the Orange, and Robben never found his way off the bench. Pavlyuchenko struck first for Russia, and with five minutes in regulation Van Nistelrooy equalised to force added time. But the Russia's proved far superior and Torbinksi and Arshavin sealed the deal for a berth in the semis. 

The last quarterfinal was probably the most anticipated of the four; none other than Spain-Italy. Spain had the reigning world champions against the ropes for the majority of the match, but the Italians unbreakable defense forced the match into added time and then a penalty shootout. Iker Casillas came up huge for the Reds by saving two spot kicks taken by De Rossi and Di Natale. It's Spain's first trip to the semifinals since 1984.

Wednesday's first semifinal was a repeat of the same old story: "Football is an eleven against eleven game and Germany always win." Metzelder and crew booked their ticket to the final with a stunning last minute goal by Philip Lahm. 

Spain is in its first final in 24 years after handing Russia a 0-3 defeat with goals by Xavi, Güiza, and Silva.

Germany and Spain met on 29 June in Ernst Happel Stadium with the Euro title up for grabs. The Reds were in control throughout the match, while Germany were simply incapable of doing any damage. Fernando Torres' goal 33 minutes in was the culmination of spectacular teamwork of a squad who deserved to win the country's second Euro title 44 years after the fact.