Euro2008 Final: Germany v Spain - Who Will Win?

Teutonic power versus Latin artistry? Muscle versus mind?

A classic match-up between genuine European heavyweights, Germany against Spain can rightly be billed as such, given the evidence of their respective passages to the final. But beneath the instant stereotypes are a litany of sub-plots and subtleties that will decide the game - from the tactics employed by managers who lead national sides with a combined population of 142 million, right down to the intricate technique of 20-plus players.

DO THE TEAMS HAVE TRULY CONTRASTING STYLES?
Tactically, it's Spain's close passing game and quick movement against Germany's direct style of play, the Germans get the ball forward much quicker and play the long ball more often than they used to. Perennial underachievers Spain, long known for breeding players with exceptional technique and a feathery touch on the ball, have experienced real success with their trademark style of play in Austria and Switzerland - but that could make them one-dimensional to their detriment. Spain can only play one way. They remind me a lot of Arsenal, If Germany sit back and allow Spain to play, they will lose.

The way Germany will win is if they get at Spain and are more direct. They need to unsettle Spain by stopping their flowing style of play. They need to get in their faces. Germany could give Spain problems in the air. The average height of the German squad is around 6ft-plus. In their past two games - against Spain-a-likes Portugal in the quarter-finals then Turkey in the semi-final - Germany have scored three headed goals (two from Miroslav Klose and a Michael Ballack effort), consistently pinging aerial balls towards their steel-spined giants to create danger and expose defensive hesitancy.

They could really disturb Spain at the back.