After three weeks and 30 matches, Germany and Spain will battle it out in the final of Euro 2008 at the Ernst-Happel Stadium in Vienna.

Germany, three-time European champions, will be looking for a fourth crown to add to their 1972, 1980, and 1996 titles, while Spain are aiming to double their tally after winning on their European debut in 1964.

A high-scoring affair could be on the cards, as the Spaniards have scored 11 goals in their five matches so far, while Germany have netted ten times.

Spain have gone through the tournament undefeated thus far, with a 0-0 result against Italy in the quarter-finals the only non-victory for Luis Aragones's side, as they look to become the first team to win a European title without losing a match since France in 1984.

Joachim Loew, German coach, could be without key player Michael Ballack for the final after the midfielder broke down with an injury and missed scheduled training ahead of Sunday's decider.

"Ballack has picked up a calf injury and will have intensive physiotherapy right up to the start of the match. It's the worst possible news for Germany," Al Jazeera's Carrie Brown reported from Vienna.

"One German fan said it's a lot of nonsense, however there are fans who have been partying so hard they haven't even heard the news about Ballack.

"Another man looked close to tears and said: "I don't know if we can do it without him."

Close final?

Spain have a big injury worry of their own with striker David Villa, the tournament's leading goal scorer with four, leaving the field with a muscle strain after just 40 minutes of the semi-final against Russia.

Villa could be replaced by attacking midfielder Cesc Fabregas or Real Mallorca forward Dani Guiza, depending on what formation and tactics Aragones seeks to employ.

Terry Venables, former England and Australia manager, told Al Jazeera that it would be a close final after what has been an impressive tournament.

"You've got to say Germany have been inconsistent," Venables said at Al Jazeera headquarters in Doha.

"I thought they were poor against Croatia and very good against Portugal. But you know they've got this habit of knowing how to win games.

"Spain speak for themselves. I think they've been good all round - defending, midfield play and the goals they've scored."

Forwards to feature

Venables, who coached Spanish club Barcelona from 1984 to 1987, said that although Spain would miss injured striker Villa, two other forwards could have a big impact on the final.

"Spain will miss him [Villa] as a goal scorer, but then again it could suit them playing Germany better with a five-man midfield and Torres up front.

"The main thing will be if Torres can play well - he's not done so well the last couple of games.

"[Miroslav] Klose has done his job well for Germany, and I think Torres is capable of being the same, if not better."

Euro 2008 has been described by some as one of the best European Championships in many years with some exciting games and attacking football - sentiments that Venables strongly agreed with.

"The quality of the football and the quality of the team play, the two together, have been fantastic," he said.

"Often you get people saying 'it was a success for teams' or 'it was a success for individuals', but I think we've had both in abundance.

"The quality and the pace of the games have been amazingly good."