VIVA ESPAÑA - SPAIN 1 - GERMANY 0 - ¡CAMPEONES!

By Miguel Ramon 3vistastoday

As you are probably aware of, last night was very special, Spain won Euro 2008, their first major trophy since 1964.

We arrived in Bar Zeppelin in Alhaurin el Grande early to get a good seat but already the place was heaving. Although kick off was over a hour away, the place was buzzing with anticipation, people jostled into position, flags waving and their faces painted with the national colours of Spain. The odd song erupted out and horns were blasted creating an electric atmosphere. Outside the bar people gathered to watch the other TV screen and the atmosphere building up inside flowed out into the crowd outside.


Kick off, and  cheers ripped through the building. Spain started slow and Germany were quick off the mark. Spain, like all watching, seemed nervous. Ten minutes passed and things settled down. Confidence flowed through the Spanish team and it was now them that were dominating the game. Suddenly Torres struck a post and screams of despair reverberated through us all, we were so close to taking the lead. Every decision  made by the referee was met by cheers or boos, depending on which way it went.

Then all hell broke loose in Bar Zeppelin, and probably through the rest of Spain. Torres pounced on a mistake by the Germans and coolly slotted in a goal over the diving Jens Lehmann. It was pandemonium, there was singing, screaming, people crying with joy. Outside the bar it was just as loud. Everybody was hugging and kissing even if they knew you or not. It took a good five minutes before it calmed to some sort of normality.

Half time and we gathered our senses and soaked in the first half events. Chatter  flowed around the bar, everybody was up-beat. Spain was winning and in command. However there was still the second half to get through before they could become champions. After a quick refill from the bar we all settled back to our spots for the start of the second half. Only forty-five minutes to hang on, this was going to be nerve-racking.

The second half was much the same as the first. Spain dominated and created the better chances, the Germans looked beat. Some fine saves and a bit of luck kept it at just the one goal for Spain. As the end of the game approached the tension grew, plenty of nail biting, hands over faces and rapturous applause every time the Spanish had the ball. We were in full singing mode and the bar staff added to this with music pumping through their speakers. Seconds to go. Spain were going to do it, the Germans new it and so did we. A loud blow on his whistle and the referee ended the match. Spain were finally champions.
 
What followed is hard to describe to give it justice. Try to think that everyone’s dreams came true in one place at one time. The emotions that ripped through us and the rest of Spain were beyond belief, the sound was deafening.  Out on the streets cars were blasting their horns, flags waving through their windows. People hugged and danced and a big national party was about to start and, with no doubt, continue to the late hours of the next morning. This was something that most had been waiting for all their lives and finally it happened.

All that’s left to say is, congratulations Spain, lets hope you do not leave it so long till the next time.

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