In keeping with the positive mood of this tournament, the last couple of days produced very watchable semi-finals, which has left us with a final that many had predicated and hoped for. Germany vs Spain, two of the pre-tournament favourites, it’s a climax that sure offers appeal.

Certainly, coming in, there were grave doubts about whether the Spaniards could get over the usual mental barrier and so far they’ve been exemplary in that department, out-staying the Italians in the quarters and out-passing the Russians in the yesterday’s semi. Now comes another mental hurdle, the ever-present Germans, who were pounded and controlled by the spirited and depleted Turks, but somehow survived.

Possibly the biggest mental barrier for Spain will be the fact they’ve been installed as favourites, both by the bookmakers and sentiment. As Germany proved in the quarters against Portugal, they prefer to be written off. It has been the general theme of this tournament.

Another theme has been the shifts in strategy from game to game, all geared around surprising the opposition.

Germany, for example, were upset by Turkey’s willingness to come at them early. They didn’t seem prepared for that, or equipped to deal with it. Against Portugal they were the ones expected to sit back and be dominated, but they came out and pressed, and out-muscled the Portuguese.

In the semi, they were expected to do the same, get up close and personal with Turkey, get in their face, and control things. It was the other way around, as the "fill-ins" Kazim, Ugur, Ayhan and Semih, along with the wonderful Altintop, pressed and upset them. The shrewd BBC analyst Marcel Desailly, putting the Hansen, Shearer and O’Neill "expert" panel to shame, had suggested in the pre-game there would be room for Turkey to exploit between the German defensive and midfield lines and he was spot on.

You see, Germany, at the start of this tournament, were defending high up the pitch and getting caught, but gradually they’ve retreated, which has left their midfield stretched, and Rolfes, Hitzelsberger and Ballack were chasing shadows (of should I say, Hamit) for most of this one.

If Frings, who played in the second half here, is right for the final, he should certainly help sort out the space in front of his defence.

Spain have also been defending deep, ensuring they aren’t exposed "in-behind". Against Russia it was a pivotal tactic. Guus’s men were expected to make the running, to bomb on down the flanks and through the middle and really test the Spaniards.

But Aragones never allowed it to happen, refusing to open-up. Arshavin had no room as a result.

Perhaps the memories of being sprung on the counter in the first game, some heavy legs and a bit of stage-fright affected the Russians, who were far too measured, with little penetration from the usual suspects in Zhirkov, Anyukov and Zyrianov.

Spain’s strategy appeared to be all about blunting the physicality of the Russians at one end, and then keeping possession going the other way, giving Hiddink’s men something to think about. It worked a treat, as Senna cleaned up in front of the backline and then set the wheels in motion with a simple ball to one of the million-or-so Spanish playmakers, or at least that’s how it looked.

Silva, Senna and Fabregas have been wonderful throughout, but here Xavi and Iniesta came to the party, and Guus was gone.

All the while Torres looked likely against a less mobile Russian rearguard that missed Kolodin (never thought I’d be saying that after the first game), and by the time Guiza came on, Ignashevich and Beretzuski had had enough.

Now, in the final, the strategy will be fascinating. Spain’s keep-ball patience and mobility against the efficiency and calculated thrusts of the Germans, who might just press on a bit, as they did against Portugal.

But here they will be met by a far more formidable defensive structure, for which Puyol, Casillas and Senna have been exemplary, while Sergio Ramos has had a smashing knock-out phase after a poor group phase.

If the Spaniards can build through the Germans, who have often looked static, and Torres gets enough support from the likes of Fabregas and Silva, the Liverpool man might finally get the goals he threatened in the semi. Certainly the German rearguard, especially in goals, has looked far less assured than their final opponents.

At the other end, Germany would do well to get it out to the right and give Schweinsteiger a go at Capdevilla, while Klose should look for Marchena more than Puyol, who’s been getting great aerial support from Ramos.

Spain have the class, but on the evidence of what we’ve seen here (the flow going against the favourites) and in past tournaments, hard to tip them with any conviction. Whatever transpires, fingers crossed both sides turn up and we get a belter, which would be a fitting way to finish a very fine tournament.