Euro 2008 Today
VIENNA, Austria (AP)—A look at Day 21 of the 2008 European Championship on Friday:
RESULTS
No games scheduled.
HISTORY
Germany has won the European Championship a record three times (1972, 1980 and 1996) and Spain once (1964). Germany has won four of seven meetings in competitive matches, with two draws and one victory for Spain.
INJURIES
Spain striker David Villa, who scored the only hat trick at Euro 2008, likely will miss the final against Germany after pulling a hamstring muscle while taking a free kick in the first half of the semifinal win over Russia. The Spanish federation said late Friday the injury is a slight strain.
CELEBS
Spain’s Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia top the list of celebrities, royalty and leaders expected to pack the stands at Ernst Happel Stadium to watch Germany and Spain play for the Euro 2008 title. Other prominent Spaniards include Crown Prince Felipe and Crown Princess Letizia, who cheered on Spain to victory in Thursday’s 3-0 semifinal victory over Russia.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who watched Germany defeat Turkey on Wednesday in the semifinal in Basel, Switzerland, will also be there. So will Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
QUOTABLE
“We shouldn’t let them into the game. We have to be aggressive, we have to step up even as they are receiving the ball. I don’t think they like it when you are aggressive against them. But they are very strong technically.”—Germany’s Torsten Frings on championship game opponent Spain.
“I don’t know how it worked 44 years ago. But having been with the boys for a month, the group is fantastic. We have a great atmosphere … that is one of the keys of our success at the moment.”—Spain’s Xabi Alonso, noting the last time his country won Euros was 1964.