Euro 2008 Final: Sun 29th June

[kompressaur]

19:45 Germany (3.5) Draw (3.25) Spain (2.4)

[kompressaur]

Obvioulsy im just posting this as i needed a link on the frontpage. I was just reading that Spain will be missing Villa through a leg injury. You all already knew that though.

EDIT: i just read he was taken off at ht. Ok so im a fud. I have been otherwise engaged. Anyhow i will leave it to those that know better than me.

[kompressaur]

oh wait a minute...

The Spanish Football Federation is refusing to write off striker David Villa's chances of playing in Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Germany.

Villa, 26, injured a thigh muscle in Thursday's semi-final win over Russia and said immediately after the game he would not be fit.

But now he will have hospital tests before any final decision is made.

"We will make another statement when we have spoken to a doctor and have the results," said the Spanish Federation.

Villa, who is the tournament's top scorer with four goals, came off after 34 minutes of Spain's 3-0 victory against Russia after injuring himself taking a free-kick.

"I'm a little sad that I won't be there to take part but it's better that a team-mate who is fit plays instead of me, particularly as my injury has left me limping quite badly," he said. I know how well he can perform, he is a great player like others in our squad

Spain coach Luis Aragones on Cesc Fabregas

"Now I have to enjoy the show from outside. To play on Sunday would be a lottery.

"I would do it even if I had to play on one leg but this is a team - there are other players who will do better 100% than one who is injured.

"At the start I was really upset because I knew it was going to be very difficult to play in the final if we got there.

"I just want to enjoy Sunday and celebrate winning the European Championship with everyone else. This is an achievement for the whole squad and we want to take the glory on Sunday."

He was replaced by Cesc Fabregas and Spain coach Luis Aragones has hinted that the Arsenal midfielder may replace Villa for the final, if the Valencia forward is unfit.

Does that mean Fabregas will start the final?

"I know how well he can perform, he is a great player like others in our squad," said Aragones.

"It's better for numbers and pressure (to have an extra midfielder) and that is how Xavi scored his goal. The point is to make them feel free."

Fabregas is raring to go if called upon and said: "I am here when the manager needs me.

"It is good, we came here to win the tournament and we got to the final, which I think is the most difficult thing.

"In the final anything can happen, a lot of things can influence the game."

BBC SPORT | Football | Euro 2008 | Spain | Spanish refuse to rule out Villa

[slick]

Its going to be a close call with or without Villa this one , in fact Villa going off injured last night did the Spanish a favour in the end as he was replaced with Fabregas and he turned the match.

I'd like to see Spain win the Championship as overall they have played better football and outplayed all of their opponents to date deserving to win every game they have been involved in, whereas the Germans have been lucky on a couple of occassions but still come up trumps as they usually do.

Defensively the Germans look a bit weak but against a smallish side like the Spain I can't see this being as much of an hinderence as it has been in previous matches as the Germans overall look phsyically bigger and stronger and could out muscle the Spanish.

Both sides look pretty potent up front and seem able to score when needs be , So I wouldent be surprised to see a few goals in this final especially if we get a goal early doors.

I'm on the Germans because as I've mentioned they are the stronger and taller of the two sides and if this becomes a physical affair I doubt the Spanish will be able to match them and the reason if I were Aragones I'd play Fabregas from the start.

German win, +2.5 goals, Poldolski to score.

[Punter]

Absolutely Fabregas!
Money-Back Special
Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on this match if Cesc Fabregas scores at any time during the 90 minutes.

[Punter]

Man of the Match

Odds from Bet365

Francesc Fabregas 11/2
Fernando Torres 6/1
Miroslav Klose 8/1
Michael Ballack 8/1
David Villa 8/1
Andres Iniesta 9/1
Bastian Schweinsteiger 10/1
Kevin Kuranyi 10/1
Lukas Podolski 10/1
Hernandez Xavi 12/1
David Silva 12/1
Mario Gomez 14/1
Iker Casillas 14/1
Daniel Guiza 14/1
Marcos Senna 16/1
Torsten Frings 16/1
Jens Lehmann 16/1
Oliver Neuville 16/1
de la Fuente Sergio Garcia 20/1
Garcia Sergio Ramos 20/1
Thomas Hitzlsperger 25/1
Carles Puyol 25/1
Philip Lahm 25/1
Xabi Alonso 25/1
Piotr Trochowski 33/1
Tim Borowski 33/1
Gonzalez Santi Cazorla 33/1
Joan Capdevila 33/1
Ruben De La Red 33/1
Clemens Fritz 40/1
David Odonkor 40/1
Per Mertesacker 40/1
Christoph Metzelder 40/1
Gutierrez Juanito 50/1
Raul Albiol 50/1
Corbacho Fernando Navarro 50/1
Marcell Jansen 50/1
Carlos Marchena 50/1
Alvaro Arbeloa 50/1
Simon Rolfes 50/1
Arne Friedrich 66/1
Heiko Westermann 66/1

[Punter]

Is Villa definately out?

It's not just mind games to try and throw the Germans?

It just didn't look a serious injury to me.

[Punter]

How will the game be won?

Odds from Blue Square

Germany in 90 minutes 11/5
Germany in extra-time 12/1
Germany on penalties 8/1

Spain in 90 minutes 5/4
Spain on penalties 9/1
Spain in extra-time 10/1

[Punter]

Fernando Torres to hit the woodwork 4.00 @ 12/1 Blue Square
Fernando Torres to win a penalty (must be fouled) 1.00 @ 25/1 Blue Square

[Punter]

To come from behind

Germany to come from behind and draw 11/2
Spain to come from behind and draw 6/1
Germany to come from behind and win 14/1
Spain to come from behind and win 11/1

Odds from Paddy Power

[Bigkegman]

trappy affair this one.

I think i'll sit back and enjoy rather than get involved cause spanish with the ball on the ground very entertaining and germans with long ball and if they get behind puyol then this too could provide to be entertaining (maybe boring entertainment but still entertainment).

I'm probably going to opt out from trying to call a winner in the 90 and just go on the overs.

[Bigkegman]

correct score 3-2 either way for an entertaining game - small stakes

[edinlichtie]

DEUTSCHLAND, DEUTSCHLAND, UBER ALLES!

I had a dream a couple of nights ago... Klose scored in the 87th min to make it 3-3!

Does anyone know bookies that do last goalscorer scorecasts?? I know betfred do, but was hoping for better than 225/1 for this ingenious 3-3 Klose bet!

[Kiko]

Originally Posted by Kop66

Is Villa definately out?

It's not just mind games to try and throw the Germans?

It just didn't look a serious injury to me.

Def out.

Might have not looked serious but it was enough for him to go off in the semi final when it was still 0-0.

Spain all the way here for me.

The deciding factor is Germanys defence. I have lost count how many times their centre backs in particular have been out of position leaving them very exposed.

Spain are definately a team i can see who will take advantage of this.

Villa out will be a blessing in disguise too as it means they will most likely revert to a 4-5-1 formation which i feel compliments the side better. Xavi for example can push further forward now and become more of a threat.

Reading Ballack is a doubt - huge blow that would be seeing as he is their best player and captain.

I am just praying for a 0-0 as i have Villa top goalscorer and its going to be very nerve racking now

[ONEDUNME]

I'm on Villa too. Some news from the BBC.

Spain last won the title in 1964 but are bookmakers' favourites to beat the three-time champions who may be without inspirational leader Michael Ballack. The Germany captain, 31, has been having treatment on a calf injury that ruled him out of training on Saturday.

Even if he starts, will he last the 90 minutes? Without him they'll be fucked.