Final countdown

So after three weeks of ups and downs and great games every day, the final of Euro 2008 is a few hours away, to be contested by Germany and Spain.

For the Germans, it has been business as usual, getting to the latter stages of a tournament without playing to the best of their capabilities. In fact, had Turkey been preparing to headline the final, the Germans would not have had anything to complain about. They were let off the hook by the gutsy Turks who had the Germans cornered, only for them to conjure up a goal from nowhere. Typical Germany. Michael Ballack even admitted that it was their "German" mentality that got them to the final. Their mentality is probably their key strength, simply not knowing how to lose. The team is almost machine-like, bound to get the job done no matter how.

Meanwhile, Spain have reached their first final since 1984. For a team that has traditionally had some of the world's best players, this modest return is quite incomprehensible. Spain have been tagged as perennial underachievers, always packing up before they get started. This tournament has seen them emphatically lift the weight from their shoulders and proven themselves to be one of the fine teams, if not the finest, in the tournament. Their passing is superb and they monopolise the ball to such an extent that at time the only way for their frustrated opponents to stop their flow is to give away a deliberate foul. They haven't beaten the Germans in a competitive fixture since 1984, but there is a real sense of confidence within the team, one they haven't had in a very long time, and this could very easily be their year.

Both sides have played themselves down as the favourites, and with good reason to. There is already enough pressure on each team and the additional weight the favourites tag brings along does not help either team. Personally, I'm tipping Spain as the favourites, simply because they have been impressive in every game, bar the quarterfinal against Italy. That performance was also due to the Italians spoiling the game. The Germans have barged into the final with their workmanlike performances and good luck along the way. Ricardo and Rustu didn't exactly put in stellar performances against the Germans and must take huge credit for some of Germany's goals. Simply put, if the Germans are not out to spoil the game, I believe Spain will play them off the park. Incidentally, I cannot see any other way for the Germans to win other than to impose their size and physicality on the game. The question is whether they will use that style of play or not. It makes for an intriguing battle and one I cannot wait to watch.

The whole tournament has been a huge boost to football's reputation as the beautiful game and I for one will be getting a DVD review of the tournament as soon as it is available. Xabi Alonso said, "The best is yet to come and we need to finish off what we have done so far." We can only hope the game lives up to his words.

In transfer news, Frank Lampard has reportedly sealed the deal on a lucrative move to Italy, joining his former boss José Mourinho at Inter. Expected it really. The bond between the two would have probably fit in straight into Brokeback Mountain. Ok maybe not that far, but it was pretty close. Ricardo Quaresma has joined Inter as well, possible as a long term replacement for Luis Figo. I think he's overpriced, there are lots of other wingers around for less than €35 million. Cash-strapped Valencia would probably have accepted that offer for David Silva, who in my opinion is a lot better than Quaresma. Yet who am I to doubt the Special One. He must have a plan in mind. I don't feel like talking about other transfer speculation and done transfers at the moment. Too many to cover and I'm not in a writing mood. Head over to goal.com if you really need some news to read.