Spain Leads at Half-Time

Germany took the initiative early in the European Championship soccer final, overwhelming Spain from the left to set up several dangerous moves. But Spain quickly fought back to gain ball control during the second part of the first-half.

After several near-goals, Torres wrestled his way past Germany left back Philipp Lahm to meet a deep pass from Xavi and then drive the ball over keeper Jens Lehmann and into the net.

The Liverpool striker had almost put Spain ahead in the 23rd minute when he hit the base of the post with a header after a set up by Sergio Ramos on the right.

Spain is a step closer to their first trophy since winning the European cup in 1964.

Germans keep up fight

Led on by captain Michael Ballack, who proved the injury to his right calf would not interfere with his performance, Germany doggedly fought back Spain, keeping the ball in play until half-time.

Ballack went down with blood streaming down his face after an accidental clash of heads with Marcos Senna. He had to be treated for several minutes while Germany was under pressure. He then got involved in a scuffle, which earned him a yellow card. Casillas, who came over to protest, also got a warning.

Lahm, whose foot had to be stitched up during half-time, was replaced at by Bayern Munich teammate Marcell Jansen.

German-wide Euro fever

The final show-down in Vienna's brought nearly all of Germany to a standstill Sunday evening. Some 85 percent of the country's 82 million population were expected to follow the match, according to a survey in the Bild am Sonntag tabloid.

German automakers Daimler, Volkswagen and Audi also planned to shut down production during the game so that workers could follow the match before the conveyor belts went sprung into action after the final whistle.