Spain and Euro 2008 were made for each other. The key moment of the year in international football fell to a Spanish Armada of a squad in every sense, and its fleet of world-class players.
After travelling the world to dock at such competitions over the past 44 years, Luis Aragones's side finally found themselves during a windswept but utterly epic June. His experience and the youthful image of his side together became a potent blend.
It was a victory for lovers of sweeping football, and Spain unfurled themselves regally.
Austria and Switzerland became a Spanish heartland. They seemed to abandon the tactics truck in favour of expressing themselves. The rain fell for much of this tournament, and Spain wallowed in a deluge of wins. Spain have found trying to win a major competition as difficult as attempting to clamber up an Austrian ski-slope without any skis, but not this time.
Enrique Iglesias could be found singing before the final with Germany in Vienna. Some people prefer his dad Julio's back catalogue, but Spain were every neutral's favourite.
Their last hit came in winning the European Nations' Cup in 1964. They all turned up this time.
Fernando Torres is a pin-up player, and, in the final, uncorked a winning goal of some quality. His effort was a moment of delicious opportunism, but none of Spain's players were wasteful.
Xavi was a true force at the heart of their midfield, and was named Uefa's player of the tournament. David Villa bobbed and weaved his way to becoming top scorer. Their goalkeeper Iker Casillas was assured in the key moments. Spain play the game properly. Aragones has had hairy times in his new role with the Turkish club Fenerbahce, but was in his element in running his country.
Guus Hiddink remains a manager whose stock continues to rise despite his Russian side going down 4-1 to Spain in the opening game of the tournament, and suffering a 3-0 caning in the semi-finals.
The nature of Russia's 3-1 win over Holland in the quarter- finals was exhilarating. The world champions, Italy, were beaten up by the Dutch 3-0 and lost on penalties in their quarter-final with Spain.
Roberto Donadoni was relieved of his position as Italy manager after his attempt to sedate the Spanish in the quarter-final was foiled in a penalty shoot-out. The defensive stance was not enough. Marcello Lippi was brought back from cold storage to oversee their attempt to reach the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010.
Croatia conquered England in qualifying, but could not get past Fatih Terim's dashing Turkey. The Germans contributed wholeheartedly to the tournament, but they were all left slightly dazed by the technical superiority of the winners.
dkane@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Company%20Profile
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INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
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The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
England 12-man squad for second Test
v West Indies which starts Thursday: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Persuasion
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'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Greenwood 77')
Everton 1 (Lindelof 36' og)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.