Fernando Torres' strike wins Euro 2008 for Spain to leave Germany empty handed, Germany (0) 0 Spain (1) 1

Fiesta time. The wonderful festival of football that was Euro 2008 finished in style last night, settled by that stylish finisher named Fernando Torres. In ending 44 years of hurt without a trophy, Spain possessed too much heart, too much invention, and too much Torres for Germany.

The Spanish striker took his first-half goal expertly, racing through and lifting the ball over the otherwise excellent Jens Lehmann, but there was steel to these Spaniards as well as silk. Xavi was again dominant in midfield, making tackles, shaping attacks, driving Spain to their first silverware since the 1964 European Championships.

As the Spanish partied in the Ernst Happel Stadium, Let Me Entertain You pounded from every speaker. Good choice. It was Spain's mission statement set to music. Entertainment was the name of Spain's game, flair flowing from the elegant feet of Xavi, Torres, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta and David Silva.

A tournament that celebrated attacking brio, that treated billion-strong global audiences to match after compelling match has showcased what can be achieved through a commitment to thrill.

Torres and company make worthy champions. This was a victory not only for Spain but for all who love open, attacking football. Spain's football lifts the soul.

Shortly after the final whistle, as the Spanish formed a guard of honour, Joachim Low led his vanquished, shattered players on the most brutal journey in sport, the losers' climb up the podium. To collect medals that none wanted, the Germans had to walk within inches of the Henri Delaunay trophy. Lehmann touched it longingly. So near and yet so far.

Low's men had given everything, played exciting football at times during their odyssey through Euro 2008, especially in defeating Portugal in the quarter-finals, but it was not enough. As hard as Michael Ballack worked, Spain were simply superior in all departments.

Germany's captain, his bloodied face revealing the intensity of the midfield battle, was consoled by Michel Platini, Uefa's president. As Ballack progressed along the long line of administrators, royals, and Chancellors, the Chelsea midfielder behaved with remarkable dignity, smiling and making small talk, when inside he must have been ripped to pieces, his heart close to breaking.

His second European final defeat of the summer, Ballack's career has contained too many near-misses. He then stood back and applauded the victors up. Torres, a Spanish flag wrapped around his waist, ran a finger along the base of the trophy.

And then came Iker Casillas, Spain's captain. Platini knows what it is like to receive the trophy, as France's inspiration in 1984, and now he handed it across, passing it into the safest of hands, those of Casillas. Spain's magnificent fans went wild with delight, dancing, waving their flags, banging their drums as Casillas lifted the trophy to the heavens.

Team and support soon embraced, Casillas, Xavi and Torres leading the charge over to their fans, Torres even jumping into the crowd to find friends and relatives. In truth, Torres had not been at his electric best in reaching the final but he had immediately begun reminding everyone of his Liverpool form, perhaps inspired by the pre-match rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.

Torres swiftly linked with Fabregas, who was playing the Steven Gerrard support role to Torres in Luis Aragones' 4-1-3-1-1 formation. His goal, when it came, was conceived in Villarreal and Barcelona, in the quick-thinking of Marcos Senna and Xavi, two of the players of a star-studded tournament.

Spain would be hopeless on Mastermind - too many passes - but they took a more direct route for Torres' stunning 33rd-minute strike. Two fast passes down the middle opened Germany up. Senna found Xavi, who instantly swept the ball down the inside-right channel for Torres to chase. Philipp Lahm and Lehmann still guarded the avenue to goal. Not well enough.

For these are the openings Torres craves, a defender reacting too slowly and then a keeper diving at his feet. Having outpaced Lahm with almost embarrassing ease, Torres glided into the area. As Lehmann threw himself forward, Torres lifted the ball over the prostrate German.

It was a glittering goal that echoed another final gem by a Liverpool striker, Kenny Dalglish's elegant chip over the Bruges keeper, Birger Jensen, to win the 1978 European Cup at Wembley.