Torres strikes as Spain claim glory

Torres: Celebrates his first-half winner

Spain have been crowned European champions after Fernando Torres' goal earned them a 1-0 victory over Germany in the Euro 2008 final in Vienna.

Luis Aragones' side - without a major trophy since their success in this tournament back in 1964 - were the better side throughout in the Ernst Happel Stadium and deservedly claimed victory to finally shake off their underachievers' tag.

The crucial goal came after 32 minutes from Liverpool marksman Torres, who showed lightening pace and a superb finish with a goal befitting of the occasion and worthy of winning any tournament.

The Germans made a bright start with Michael Ballack and Philipp Lahm getting into promising crossing positions down the left.

But Spain soon took control and Jens Lehmann had to be alert to push out Christophe Metzelder's poke towards his own goal, while Torres struck the base of the post with a header after Sergio Ramos had swung over a right-wing cross. Cesc Fabregas then tried his luck with low shot but Lehmann was equal to it.

But Spain did not have long to wait for the opener when after 32 minutes Torres outpaced Lahm and dinked a lovely little ball over Lehmann to put Luis Aragones' side 1-0 up.

Spain continued to press and David Silva blazed over a volley when well placed just five minutes later.

Germany finished the half the stronger, but the Spanish defence held firm.

Spain continued where they had left off after the break with Torres almost catching the Germans out, but this time Lehmann raced off his line to smother the ball. Silva also fizzed a shot just wide of the post as Germany made hard work of clearing a corner.

Germany then brought on Kevin Kuranyi just before the hour mark and they were soon back on the attack with Ballack drilling a shot into the sidenetting following Bastian Schweinsteiger's lay-off.

But back came Spain with Ramos' header producing a good parry from Lehmann, while the impressive Andres Iniesta twice went close with efforts, the first of which was prodded off the line by Torsten Frings.

Spain almost netted a picture-perfect second with nine minutes remaining when Marcos Senna charged the length of the field to get within studs of Daniel Guiza's header back across goal at the end of a magnificent move.

Germany threw bodies forward in a desperate bid to claim an equaliser but there was no way through as Spain comfortably held on to win their first major trophy since 1964.