.jpg) The Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna hosted the final. | |||||||
| Event | UEFA Euro 2008 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Date | 29 June 2008 | ||||||
| Venue | Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna | ||||||
| Man of the Match | Fernando Torres (Spain) | ||||||
| Referee | Roberto Rosetti (Italy) | ||||||
| Attendance | 51,428 | ||||||
| Weather | Sunny 27 °C (81 °F) 44% humidity[1] | ||||||
The UEFA Euro 2008 final was the final match of UEFA Euro 2008, the thirteenth edition of the European Championship, UEFA's competition for national football teams. The match was played at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, Austria, on 29 June 2008, and was contested between Germany and Spain.
The sixteen-team tournament consisted of a group stage, from which eight teams qualified for the knockout stage. En route to the final, Germany finished second in Group B, with a defeat to Croatia followed by wins over Poland and Austria. They then defeated Portugal in the quarter-finals, and Turkey in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Spain finished top of Group D following three wins coming against Russia, Sweden and Greece. They then defeated Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals, before securing a second victory over Russia in the semi-finals.
The final took place in front of 51,428 supporters, and was refereed by Roberto Rosetti from Italy. Spain scored the match's only goal in the 33rd minute through Fernando Torres, winning 1–0 to secure their second European Championship title and their first since 1964. Goalscorer Torres was named UEFA's man of the match.
Spain's victory marked the start of a period of dominance for the team, which saw them go on to lift the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, before then retaining their European title at Euro 2012. As winners, Spain also qualified for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa as UEFA's representative.