On the strength of Fernando Torres' goal in the 33rd minute, Spain claimed its first European Championship in 44 years Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Germany at Ernst Happel Stadion.
Spain found European glory for the first time since 1964, finally shedding its label as perennial underachievers.
"It is to me the most important day in Spanish football in many, many years," Torres said.
Against the highly accomplished Germans, the Spaniards weren't intimidated. They got the one goal they needed — from a slumping striker, no less — and set off chants of "ES-PANA!" and "Ole, Ole Ole!" at the final whistle.
The entire Spanish squad ran over to the huge rooting section of red and gold, exchanging hugs, while many of the spent Germans collapsed to the turf.
When Spain goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas accepted the trophy on a stage, the Spanish fans began chanting the melody to their national anthem, which has no words. Thousands of camera flashes went off as the players jumped in place, then headed onto the field to show off their prize.
The Spaniards weren't close to finished with their celebration that was so long in the making. They marched to their rooting section, hoisting the cup and saluting their flag-waving, firecracker-exploding fans.
"We have won in a brilliant way," coach Luis Aragones said. "We will be able to start saying we can win, a European championship as well as any other thing."
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