| Better known as Euro 2008, the UEFA European | | | | was almost an exact replica of the original |
| Football Championship was an exciting end to | | | | that was designed by Arthus-Bertrand. The |
| an eventful season. Qualification for the | | | | revised design no longer has the small figure |
| final began in August 2006 after the FIFA | | | | juggling a ball on the back or the marble |
| World Cup. Groups A, B, C and D, consisting | | | | plinth. The new trophy is made of sterling |
| of 16 teams, battled it out on the field to | | | | silver, weighs 8 kilograms and is 60 |
| find out who would be going to Vienna for | | | | centimeters tall. The silver base was |
| Euro 2008. Spain became the first team to win | | | | enlarged, and the names of the winning |
| all matches in the group stage since France's | | | | countries were engraved on the back. |
| accomplishment in 1984. | | | | |
| | | | Euro 2008 Entertainment and Closing Ceremony |
| In terms of international competitions, | | | | |
| Germany is considered one of the most | | | | The championship's closing ceremony featured |
| successful teams. They have won six | | | | Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias, who sang the |
| distinguished titles, three World Cups and | | | | tournament's official song "Can You Hear Me" |
| three European championships. Germany is also | | | | composed by Rollo Armstrong. Iglesias is a |
| the only nation to have both men's and | | | | Madrid native with 18 No. 1 Spanish singles |
| women's teams win World Cups. | | | | on the Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks. |
| | | | |
| In the Euro 2008 final, Spain and Germany | | | | Some of the nearly 400 artists and performers |
| faced off at the Ernst Happel Stadion in | | | | included Shaggy, Christina Sturmer, Rawbau, |
| Vienna, Austria on June 29. Full of | | | | The White Stripes and others. The German |
| confidence and excitement, both teams were | | | | dance group Bellini performed after each goal |
| welcomed by grandstands full of cheering | | | | scored during the competition. Euro 2008 |
| fans. In the final, Spain defeated Germany | | | | official mascots were named Trix and Flix |
| 1-0. Adidas produced the ball used in the | | | | after the names won 36% of the vote. |
| final and named it Europass Gloria. Europass | | | | |
| Gloria is a version of Europass which was the | | | | Welcome Home Celebrations |
| 14-panel match ball used during qualifying | | | | |
| games. | | | | The Euro 2008 champions Spain were greeted by |
| | | | thousands of still-excited fans as they |
| Spain's David Villa injured his right thigh | | | | returned home. The team was paraded through |
| muscle during the semi-final win over Russia | | | | town in an open-top bus as fans lined the |
| and was unable to compete in Euro 2008. "I'm | | | | streets, cheering them on. Coach Luis |
| a little sad that I won't be there to take | | | | Aragones describes his team as "the best team |
| part, but it's better that a teammate who is | | | | in the world." |
| fit plays instead of me, particularly as my | | | | |
| injury has left me limping quite badly," | | | | Euro 2008 was Spain's first European |
| Villa said before the game. | | | | championship since 1964. A fitting official |
| | | | end to the celebration, a rendition of "We |
| New Euro 2008 Trophy Style | | | | Are The Champions" was played over |
| | | | loudspeakers while red and yellow confetti |
| The new trophy awarded to the winning team | | | | showered party-goers. |