Originally published Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Soccer | Spain, Germany meet for Euro title

Germany has been one of soccer's biggest winners, Spain one of its main underachievers. They meet today in the Euro 2008 final with a twist...

By The Associated Press

Euro 2008 final

Spain vs. Germany,

11:30 a.m., Ch. 4

VIENNA, Austria — Germany has been one of soccer's biggest winners, Spain one of its main underachievers. They meet today in the Euro 2008 final with a twist: Spain is favored.

Many Spaniards won't admit what oddsmakers are quoting. They are understandably wary, as Germany owns three World Cup titles and three Euro championships and entered the tournament as the favorite.

Deny it as they might, though, the Spaniards have been the most impressive performers through a perfect opening round, a dull but successful quarterfinal they won in a shootout against world champion Italy and a 3-0 rout of Russia in the semifinals.

Germany might be missing captain Michael Ballack. He sat out Saturday's practice with a right-calf problem.

"They are fast and deadly in this kind of game," midfielder Marcos Senna of Spain said. "I think both teams will try to do what they know."

Spain has been limited to a single major title, the 1964 European championship, despite a wealth of talent and two of the continent's top club teams: Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

This is considered the world's most difficult tournament outside the World Cup, and winning the title against the relentless Germans would be the most magnificent achievement in Spain's soccer history.

Notes

• Karla Schacher scored as Canada beat the United States 1-0 in the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship final in Puebla, Mexico.

• In Major League Soccer matches, league-leading New England beat Toronto FC 2-1; Columbus downed Colorado 2-1; Kansas City defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0; New York and Chivas USA tied 1-1; and San Jose and Chicago played to a scoreless draw.

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