The Reign of Spain

Congratulations to Spain!

Espana ended their 44 year interational drought by knocking off perennial finalists and juggernaut Germany, 1-0 in Vienna in front of record television audiences around the world. Fernando Torres scored the game's only goal in the 33rd minute in spectacular fashion, and Spain built from there and pressed the Germans for the remainder of the time. Germany were never in it, and Spain should really have had two or three goals, their best chance coming when Marcos Senna failed to touch in a beautiful headed cross into an open net inthe 80th.

Spain are deserving champions, and deserve to finally eliminate their reputations as international underachievers. The Spanish have long been among the more individually talented sides in the world, and it was more a matter of time than a matter of underachievement that explained their lack of big tournament results in the past four and a half decades.

Luis Aragones, often maligned and sometimes deservedly so, particularly for his racial epithets flung at the likes of Thierry Henry and others, retires from international duty in perfect fashion, earning his figurative ride off into the sunset by adeptly preparing and adroitly managing the most impressive team at the Euros.

One of the best effects this title will have on the nation of Spain will be its uniting force. Spain has long been a fractious country, whose footballing loyalties have been divided among regions at the expense of national unity and pride. No more. Everyone from Madrid to Granada, Salamanca to Sevilla, Valencia to Barcelona will revel equally in this joyous feat for Spain. One of the truly beautiful aspects of international football is its ability to glavanize entire populations, and to captivate national audiences as their own countries pursue global glory. It is a rare and difficult accomplishment, but when it happens, there is nothing better for the people.

The Beautiful Game is also the People's Game, for that reason.