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