Spain’s single goal against Germany was an apt metaphor of the game as
a whole.

Watch the super slow motion replay a few times (especially cool in
High Def). Observe the facial expressions of Torres and Lahm. The
watch it again and pay careful attention to their body language, leg
action, etc.

Did you notice the look on Torres’ face as he strove with all his
might to get around the defender and tap it in? He WANTED that goal so
bad it was as if he placed his very soul into the delivery. Ever inch
of his face revealed extreme exertion and effort. That’s the way Spain
looked the whole game. They wanted to win more than Germany, and they
played like it.

The German defender was an apt metaphor of the entire German team
throughout the game. He definitely did not strive to the maximum of
his abilities. Look at the replays a few more times. Look at Lahm’s
face, posture, and legs. He slows down at the end, perhaps not to run
into the goalie, but nevertheless, he slowed down before he should
have. His face lacks passion, perhaps he hasn’t realized the true
danger they were in. Lahm is supposedly a great player. But if I were
his coach I would suspended him for his lack of effort. Then again,
his teammates weren’t much better in terms of effort overall.

One thing is certain; Germany did not have the same will, soul, and
passion that Spain did.

Germany is not the most naturally talented team in the world
(personally I believe Argentina is, but they lack mental and physical
stamina – I’ll reserve that for another post), but they definitely are
the most disciplined, and the most mentally and physically fit. What
they lacked was the pure passion exhibited by the Spaniards.

Spain merecio ganara, punto y aparte.

Robert Oslin