Clash of the titans? Hardly

Before I preview this Sunday's final between Germany and Spain I just want to sum up the semi final matches and tournament of as whole. Germany showed once again why they are one of the most feared European sides, they never give in and are never beaten, something that Turkey thought of themselves as well. For once they were beaten at there own game. I can sometimes understand last minute goals with the ball being hoofed up towards the penalty area with players looking for the vital knock down. Philip Lahm's late goal however was very different much easily defendable and I have to put it down firstly to Ballack for putting the ball through and then Lahm with a finish that most strikers would have be thrilled with. Turkey won't be happy with how they conceded the goal, but I think the better team went through in the end.

In last nights semi-final Russia were looking to turn around a 4-1 defeat from the teams opening group match against Spain. Unfortunately it was Spain defending prowess that severed them right this time around and a a conformable 3-0 victory was achieved. It was obvious that neither team wanted the chase the game to the extent that they might loose shape in their midfield. This played into the hands of the Spanish who were content to sit back and let Russia give them the ball back when they got into the final third. I opening goal was crucial as it was in any game, but even so i felt Spain had more all over the pitch and deffinetly deserved to win the game. Marcos Senna was particularly influential and having already picked him out last week as one of my players of the tournament his two man of the match performances this week have confirmed him as one of the best holding midfield players in the world right now.

Now to the final and these two European Heavyweights battle it out in this year European Championship final. In 2002 Spain's Real Madrid had to much class for Bayern Leberkusen as they won the European Cup at Hampden Park. However I'm not sure this Spain side have the same cutting edge that that amazing Madrid side had.

It was obvious last night that they played better with five in midfield and one up top. For me Villa is still a big miss and here's why. For me Fernando Torres has been well...... carried along by this Spanish team. He doesn't look fully fit, he has never completed a game in the championships for me he is well off the pace. We've all seen a fully fit Torres and it was not what we saw last night or even in the rest of the tournament. Villa if I'm being honest hasn't been much better his four goals yes have been quality on there own but the rest of the time he has been just as bad as Torres. I also feel Spain are far to one diminutional in midfield, Xavi Iniesta and Fabregas are for me much of the same player. Fabregas is the only one who runs and in the final he will be Spain's match winner, for me they don't have any others.

Germany are a little different to Spain in that I don't think they have reached there peak, and that can only be a good thing for the finalists. Never have you watched Germany thinking this is what we are used to seeing. I mean to 3-2 knock out games, that's way to high scoring for a team like Germany. We're used to tight in defence and clinical in front of goal. Klose looked a little off the pace in the groups stage but two goals in each other knock-out games means he goes into the final on form, not many of the strikers on show can say that. Swiensteiger can say the same though, since his sending off against Croatia he has looked a different player and has driven forward this German side. I haven't even mentioned maybe there most important player of all, there talisman Michael Ballack. he has again been brilliant in this tournament. Two goals as well for him so important to be on form going into a final he will be very happy with his work done so far and he'll look to continue that.

I've been able to mention three German match winners there without even uttering the words of there top scored Lucas Podolski who seems to be able to create and score at the same time. And at the end of the day I think the team with the most match winners will come through. If Fabregas doesn't perform then Spain have no-one to turn to, Germany have four big match winners, one of them is sure to step up to the plate.

I backed Germany from the beginning and I'm not going to stop here. I think there stronger all over the park and will be to strong for a Spain side, who peaked far to early.