It’s beauty versus brute force

Germany’s Oliver Bierhoff at least sounded genuine when he wasted no time in building up Spain, who ruthlessly cut apart Russia 3-0 to reach the final. Still, the team manager went on to remind everyone that Germany have already shown they don’t respect status by disposing of Portugal in the quarter-finals. He probably hoped the Spanish were listening.

“We have demonstrated what capabilities we possess, although we should put Spain one step above us,” Bierhoff said. “But this was the case against Portugal as well and it doesn’t have to be to our disadvantage.”

Victory spree

From the outside, all the pressure seems to be on Spain, so Bierhoff’s words could be just an attempt to sow the seeds of a little worry.

Spain are the only team at the 16-nation tournament not to lose a single game and eased into the final by beating a Russia side that appeared rampant in disposing of the much-touted Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

They have racked up 11 goals in five matches, with their versatility, attacking verve and onus on the team over individual talent raising hopes that they are about to clinch their first international title in 44 years.

“I don’t know how it worked 44 years ago, but having been with the boys for a month, the group is fantastic,” midfielder Xabi Alonso said.

But thinking about the past is the last thing Spain should be doing. While Germany can look back on three World Cups and three Euro titles, Spain’s success at the 1964 European Championship represents their only trophy on the biggest stage.

“They know how to win tournaments, they know how to play these games and we know we have be careful because they are the favourites,” Spain striker Fernando Torres said.

And Germany defender Christoph Metzelder plays alongside Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid.

“Our scouts have been watching Spain for some time, and they certainly know more about them than I do,” Metzelder said.

Spain have a history of tanking at major championships, and failure in the final — no matter the performance — will inevitably lead to fans and media sighing that the team have just reverted to type.

And Germany’s players are rightly proud of a pedigree that had even a relatively unheralded line-up reaching the World Cup semi-finals two years ago. “In 2006, something was missing,” defender Torsten Frings said. “This time we hope to bring something along, not only T-shirts with Danke written on them.”

Germany have injury concerns over midfielders Simon Rolfes and Frings. Rolfes’s eye injury means he might be on the bench, replaced by Frings who was left out last time to continue his recovery from a broken rib.

Spain striker David Villa, who scored the only hat-trick on his way to becoming leading scorer, will have tests on his injured right leg before officials decide whether he is fit to play.

With both teams in form and both having concerns, maybe Alonso came closest to telling the truth on how the players see the match.

“I don’t think there’s a clear favourite,” he said. “The teams are pretty close, and anything can happen in a final.”

Ballack misses training

Germany captain Michael Ballack missed his team’s last training Saturday because of a calf injury, putting him in doubt for the final. The German football federation said Ballack was receiving treatment at the team hotel. No other details were immediately available.