Spain's little men outmaneuver Germany

By Kevin Fylan

VIENNA (Reuters) - Germany never give up easily but Spain passed them into submission in Sunday's Euro 2008 final as the perfect technique of their little men in midfield earned them a 1-0 win and a first major title since 1964.

Germany coach Joachim Loew was only too aware of Spain's greater skill but had hoped that hustling, aggressive performances from his players might deny them the time and space to make that superiority count.

It was wishful thinking.

Andres Iniesta, Xavi and David Silva, aided by Cesc Fabregas and later Xabi Alonso, ran the midfield with such outrageous ease that the only surprise was how Spain failed to score half a dozen goals.

Lone striker Fernando Torres supplied the coup de grace when his explosive pace and crafty eye for an opening proved decisive.

With just over half an hour gone, after Spain had put a slightly nervous opening spell behind them to take charge, Xavi changed the tempo of their attack with a pass for Torres to run on to.

Philipp Lahm got goalside of the forward only to hesitate. It was hardly even the blink of an eye, but it was enough for Torres to run around him and score with a perfectly placed chip into the net at Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's far post.

It was just one of a series of defensive lapses from Germany on a night when their own attempts to keep the ball at times bordered on the embarrassing.