Growth in the online editor of 11Freunde: Effective immediately, the former Champions League winner Rafael Benitez, the most important games of the season on 11freunde.de analyzed. The beginning, he makes a Nachklapp the European Championship final.
Spain are European champions Spain and has also earned it. Not only do they have done their job, they also did so in great fashion. Spain since Sunday is the only nation that has won three major tournaments in a row. Without doubt an amazing performance that had its beginning under Luis Aragones four years ago and was put under Vicente del Bosque to an even higher level. Del Bosque deserves at this point a very special praise, since he is the latest after this triumph, one of the greatest coaches in history: two Champions League wins, a World Cup triumph at club level, as well as one World Cup and European Championship titles as a coach let it no doubt.
Spain, you are the greatest - respect!
Because of this success rate - and because of our close friendship existed for many years - I want to convey my warmest greetings to this point in the team, the coaching staff and of course my friend Vicente. You've worked hard, now you are the greatest - respect!
These words had to be personal, let me now take a look at the finale. Spain started with a 4-3-3 system, with Cesc Fabregas as a center forward and midfield players who are constantly aware and completely changed their positions. In the center were re-Busquets and Alonso, also because of this dual center had to the Italian 4-3-1-2 system - with the diamond in the middle - this time to set up the opponent. Spain controlled the game from the beginning, with some good action on the offensive, the Italians tried to press early, however. The Spaniards were able to cope much better than in the group match (1:1). Above all, Andres Iniesta, who again did an outstanding game. It was Iniesta, who pretended to play the pace and direction. At the same time took care of Fabregas as nominal head sacrificially to Andrea Pirlo, Pirlo wanted to launch attacks if his Italians, Spanish midfielder put the rest of the rooms in order to prevent the dangerous through balls to Balotelli and Cassano. After a few minutes of the game was to see clearly what Cesare Prandelli his players had given as a tactical setting along the way: Fast Ball to win balls and long in the top to crack the Spaniards with surprise attacks.
And all this was the main factor affecting both game system: speed!
As quickly as the Spaniard is currently no team in the world. It was 1-0 in the 14th Minutes significantly: Iniesta played an almost surgical pass on Cesc Fabregas, David Silva, who operated a flash - Gate. A superb attack, a wonderful ending! Spain's plan had risen, Italy had its own tactics to throw overboard.
Consequently, the Italian Pressing was more intense, Balotelli and Co. were 0-1 after the even deeper into the opponent's half, and were now trying their free kick specialist Andrea Pirlo put into position. However, the success has not, it was Italy's game too transparent and too stiff. Increasingly, Spain was able to take quick counter-attacks with counterattacks. The next setback had been the Italians in the 21th Accept minutes as Balzaretti had to be a substitute for the injured Chiellini. I personally would have achieved a significant weakening of the Italian play suspected, but Balzaretti replaced Chiellini nearly equal.
Shortly thereafter dissolved Prandelli his midfield diamond, De Rossi moved on to Pirlo to support the offensive. But his long balls were often intercepted by the Spanish attentive defensive center. And if some had opened a gap for Balotelli and Cassano, as was the attentive Iker Casillas and defused the situation.
The main players were Busquets and Xabi Alonso
But the furious Pressing the Italians soon fizzled out, just before the end of the first half, Spain had the game back under control. Iniesta, Silva, Fabregas and Xavi especially so tirelessly swirled around the opponent's penalty area, the came, what was to come: Xavi played a lovely pass to Jordi Alba, who scored against the left in the lurch by his colleagues Buffon his first international goal.
Italy had to respond and did so in the form of a substitution: Di Natale replaced Cassano and his efforts would have almost justified, but two big opportunities were missed. Spain had the game under control quickly. The main players were for me at this stage Busquets and Xabi Alonso, who functioned in part as a kind of double-six, to mitigate the steep Italian passports. The offensive proved Xavi, Iniesta and Silva her class: No other midfield in the world is able to play as controlled and yet so willing to take risks.
Italy moved a third time, brought to Montolivio Motta, Prandelli now be presented to the midfield diamond. But Motta injury a few minutes after the goal for the game decided in favor of Spain in Italy were outnumbered not stand a chance.
Del Bosque responded quickly, bringing with Pedro and Fernando Torres rested two attackers on the bench, which Italy finally offset the fatal blow. Fernando used his minutes of the game used consistently: A goal and a template for the special UEFA rule that the top scorer on the number of minutes of the game, which he needed for his goals will be determined, must be Fernando now called EM-scorer - my Congratulations!
A worthy champions
My friend Vicente finally proved one last time his knack - and the qualities of his squad: He traded in the 87th Mata minutes for Iniesta (for me the best player of the tournament) from a little later Mata scored the fourth and last goal of the game.
