We are in shock, admits Lehmann

AFP - 29 June 2008 23:09

Spanish forward Fernando Torres celebrates after scoring against Germany during the Euro 2008 championships final football match at Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna. Spain won their first trophy in 44 years here on Sunday as they beat three-time champions Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final.

VIENNA (AFP) - Veteran German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann admitted his side were in shock after losing Sunday's Euro 2008 final as a first-half strike by Liverpool's Fernando Torres sealed Spain's 1-0 triumph.

Having pulled off a string of saves, ex-Arsenal shot-stopper Lehmann, who has signed a one-year contract to play for VfB Stuttgart next season, was powerless as Torres beat the German defence on 33 minutes.

"The big disappointment will come still, we're under the initial shock at the moment," said the 38-year-old.

"The problem is when you lose, you wonder your whole life did I do something wrong?

"Conditionals are the losers' enemy, you ask yourself, should I have done this or would I have managed that.

"We should actually be congratulated, because we really made a big effort in just reaching the final.

"We need to work off our disappointment now."

And after making his 61st appearance for Germany, Lehmann said he has played his last European Championship game and will think about his retirement.

"I still have to think it over," he said.

"This was definitely my last European Championship game, but my coach and my fellow players will be informed first if I make any other decisions."

And defender Philipp Lahm, who gave Torres enough space to hit the match-winner, said too many mistakes had been Germany's down-fall.

"We didn't play so well up front, we didn't create chances and we also made too many mistakes," said Lahm, who was injured and taken off at half-time.

"We wanted to win the title and we didn't succeed but in the next few days we'll look forward, there's the World Cup qualifiers and we'll make it," added Lahm, who scored Germany's last minute winners against Turkey in the semi-final.