Spain seize the Euro crown from Germany

Spain finally ended their 44-year wait for a trophy when Fernando Torres's superb first-half goal gave them a deserved 1-0 victory over Germany in a fast and furious Euro 2008 final on Sunday.

Spain, appearing in their first final since 1984 and seeking only their second trophy following their 1964 Euro success on home soil, were worthy winners as their crisp passing, wonderful technique and defensive discipline left Germany flounder.

Torres's goal after 33 minutes was also fit for a final as he showed all the speed, determination and quality of finish that summed up his team's whole campaign.

Spain had gone close twice before the goal from Torres.

Jens Lehmann had to react quickly after the superb Andres Iniesta's shot was deflected but the keeper was beaten in the 23rd minute when Torres, not for the first time, outjumped Per Mertesacker but saw his header come back off a post.

Torres, who had been somewhat overshadowed by absent four-goal partner David Villa in the tournament, showed what a dangerous finisher he is after 33 minutes.

Philipp Lahm appeared to have Xavi's through-ball covered but fractionally hesitated as he hoped Lehmann would reach it first and that was all Torres needed as he sped past him then cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.

Spain's precision delivery earned them several more half-chances early in the second half but none were taken and Germany, never a team to give up on a trophy without a fight, raised their game.

Captain Michael Ballack, fit to play after his calf strain, had spent most of the first hour fighting fires but he went close with a low volley as his side hit back and ramped up the temperature with a few lively tackles.

Coach Joachim Loew threw on striker Kevin Kuranyi but Spain then had a flurry of chances of chances as Lehmann saved well from Sergio Ramos and Iniesta, and Torsten Frings cleared Iniesta's shot off the line all in the space of two minutes.

As Germany pressed, for the equaliser the gaps opened and Torres almost broke clear twice more. In the end, though, his early effort proved enough to clinch the trophy for Spain.

Sania rises a step to 32 in WTA rankings

The disappointing build-up to the Wimbledon despite, Sania Mirza's WTA ranking improved by one rung as she climbed to the 32nd spot in the latest list issued on Monday.

The Indian number one, who crashed out in the second rounds of both the Wimbledon warm-up tournaments she played, has 867 points in the singles chart topped by Serb Ana Ivanovic.

Sania, however, remained steady at 19th in the doubles' list with 1745 points. The Hyderabadi girl, who is recovering from a wrist injury, has been seeded 32nd at the Wimbledon and handed an easy opening round match.

She takes on Colombian Catalino Castano in the first round.

Spain reached the European Championship final for the first time in 24 years

Thursday with a convincing 3-0 win over Russia, Spain reached the European Championship final for the first time in 24 years to set up a meeting with Germany in Sunday's Euro 2008 decider.

Spain beat Russia 4-1 in the group stage two weeks ago and was the better side again on Thursday, totally deserving their triumph because their midfield dominated and created plenty of chances for the front men.

Spain's breakthrough in an absorbing match came five minutes into the second half when Iniesta cut in from the left and found Xavi who had lost his markers. He took his chance brilliantly to put Spain ahead and on the way to their first final since they lost to France in 1984.

Guiza replaced Fernando Torres up front after 69 minutes and took only four minutes to strike after being set up by midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who had a huge influence after replacing the injured David Villa after 35 minutes.

Xavi scored with a superbly taken opportunist volley at a rainswept Ernst Happel stadium to give Spain a deserved 1-0 lead after 50 minutes and substitute Daniel Guiza made no mistake when he beat the offside trap to make it 2-0 after 73 minutes. Cesc Fabregas set up David Silva to make it 3-0 eight minutes from time.

Spain, who stretched their unbeaten run to 21 matches, will be attempting to be crowned European champions for the first time since their only success in 1964.

Germany to give a thrilling victory over Turkey to reach final

Germany, who will play either Spain or Russia in Vienna on Sunday, looked to have won the semi-final in the 79th minute when Miroslav Klose headed home to give them a 2-1 lead.

Goals from Turkey's Ugur Boral and Bastian Schweinsteiger in an absorbing first half had left the game evenly poised. Terim's side began much better than their more illustrious opponents despite being without four players through suspension and having a raft of others injured.They scored the opener in a match for the first time in the tournament after 22 minutes.

Left midfielder Ugur, who was a threat all night, scuffed the ball through goalkeeper Jens Lehmann's legs after a looping effort from Kazim Kazim came back off the bar.Turkey deserved their lead having already come close when Kazim rattled the woodwork with a shot and impressive playmaker Hamit Altintop was denied following a Lahm mistake.

Germany equalised against the run of play on 26 minutes when midfielder Schweinsteiger cleverly flicked in a cross from Lukas Podolski in one of their first real attacks.The second half started off less thrilling than the first with Germany having a penalty shout turned down after Lahm was felled on the edge of the area and Thomas Hitzlsperger whistling an effort just past the post.

Semih Senturk then levelled for Turkey in the 86th minute from close range in what looked like another escape act by Fatih Terim's men. But Lahm snatched victory for Germany with a smart shot into the top corner at St Jakob Park.

Philipp Lahm scored a 90th minute winner to give Germany a breathtaking 3-2 victory over Turkey on Wednesday and a place in the Euro 2008 final.

Sharapova is looking to add a second Wimbledon crown

Former champion Maria Sharapova comfortably won her first round match and bet her claim as the fashion queen of Wimbledon on Tuesday.

The glamorous 2004 winner, the world's most photographed sportswoman, took to the court in a chiffon top which her sponsors Nike said had a "tuxedo bib front", teamed with a pair of men's shorts.

Dressed to kill, the Florida-based Russian exhausted little time in ending French opponent Stephanie Foretz's involvement with an untroubled 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Sharapova, seeded three, will face fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva in the second round. Still only 21, Sharapova is looking to add a second Wimbledon crown to the Australian Open title she won in January.