Torres helps Spain end title drought
Soccer Betting Lines
06/29/2008 -
Vienna, Austria (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fernando Torres scored in the 33rd minute
to help Spain end a 44-year title drought with a 1-0 win over Germany in the
final of Euro 2008 on Sunday.
Spain's last major title came in 1964, when they beat the Soviet Union 2-1 for
the European championship, but after many early exits and disappointing
finishes, Spain can finally lift another major trophy.
The Spanish were the better side throughout most of the match, with Germany
posing little threat in attack. Torres was a constant problem for the German
defense as he hit the post in the 23rd minute before finding the net 10
minutes later.
The result also continues a lengthy unbeaten run for Spain, which now sits at
22 matches without defeat.
The Germans were making their sixth appearance in the European final, but they
failed to win a record fourth title as they were held scoreless for the first
time in the tournament.
Germany had a more positive opening 10 minutes but it was German goalkeeper
Jens Lehmann who faced the first real test of the match in the 15th minute.
Andres Iniesta got down the left wing and into the box before he cut the ball
back and played it towards the penalty spot. Germany defender Christoph
Metzelder was tracking back and the ball struck his leg, redirecting it on
goal. Fortunately for Germany, Lehmann reacted well and tipped the ball around
the post.
Spain then created another good opportunity in the 23rd minute, this time from
the right wing. Defender Sergio Ramos got forward and delivered a cross to the
back post for Torres, and he rose up over defender Per Mertesacker to head the
ball off the post.
The Spanish continued to enjoy the better of the play, and they were rewarded
with a goal in the 33rd minute.
Marcos Senna started the play with a pass from midfield to Xavi, who quickly
turned and threaded a pass to Torres. The striker dashed after the ball, shook
off Philip Lahm, and flicked it past a sprawling Lehmann just inside the left
post.
Germany put together a small spell of pressure towards the end of the half,
but Spain was clearly on top as the two teams entered the break.
Lehmann was forced to come off his line to snatch the ball away from Torres 10
minutes after the restart, but it was clear that the pace of the Spanish
striker was giving Germany's big defenders trouble.
The Germans then produced their best chance of the match to that point on the
hour mark, with Bastian Schweinsteiger dropping the ball off to Michael
Ballack, but his half-volley clipped the outside of the post from 20 yards.
A lapse in the German defense then allowed Ramos a free header from eight
yards that was tipped over the net by Lehmann, and Iniesta had a shot cleared
off the goal line by Torsten Frings.
Spain had a chance to put the game away with 10 minutes to play when Santi
Cazorla's cross was nodded through the face of goal by Daniel Guiza into the
path of Senna. Lehmann was out of position, but Senna failed to connect with
the ball from six yards out and it skipped out of play.
Germany was running out of time but they did a poor job of keeping possession
in midfield, allowing Spain to take precious seconds off the clock.
One of the themes of the tournament has been late-game heroics, but there
would be none on this day as Germany struggled to get the ball forward,
allowing Spain to finally claim glory.
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The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.
While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.
For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.
1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.
2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.
How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.
Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.
Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.
How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).
Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.
Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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