I have a theory that Germany owe the likes of England and Spain about two tournament victories each (but then I’m probably biased).

Once again, they’ve come into a major competition with an average team (bar the obvious exception of Michael Ballack) and somehow made the final. Either they’re the luckiest national team in the world or (and I guess this must be more likely) they simply have the required self-belief to win competitions.

They haven’t looked convincing at any stage of UEFA EURO 2008™ and last night was no exception. In fact I would go as far as saying they were outplayed by Turkey for most of the game. However a goal in the last minute from left-back Philipp Lahm – who was given a torrid time defensively for most of the match my Kazım Kazım – was enough to secure victory.

Turkey went into the game missing four key players but during the first half it was the absence of Germany’s Torsten Frings with a rib injury that was more telling. Kazım started the game like his life depended on it, rattling the bar soon after the start when he probably should have scored and, with the overlapping Sabri, running Lahm ragged.

Minutes later Kazım hit the bar for a second time, but this time Germany were made to pay. The ball bounced back to Uğur Boral and Lehmann seemed paralysed on his line as the Turkish midfielder slotted it under him. At this point a scoreline of 3-0 to Turkey wouldn’t have been unkind to Germany.

However, we all knew what was coming next and, sure enough, Lukas Podolski broke down the left and crossed for Bastian Schweinsteiger to flick the ball over Rüştü with the outside of his right foot. With their first meaningful attack of the game, Germany had made it 1-1.

During half time everyone was talking about the impending German onslaught but it simply never materialised. Despite the introduction on Frings, Turkey continued to dominate and it was only poor finishing that prevented them from retaking the lead. Meanwhile, at the other end, Lahm felt hard done by when he was denied a penalty after being felled on the edge of the area.

Finally, one of Turkey’s absentees did come back to haunt them. Volkan, who was serving a two-match ban for his sending off against the Czech Republic, had proved himself a solid ‘keeper during the group games and his reliability was sorely missed with ten minutes remaining when his replacement came for a cross that he had no chance of reaching and Klose was left with a simple header.

Semih increased the noise level in the stadium once again on 86 minutes, embarrassing Lehmann at his near post, but somehow every seasoned football watcher knew that Germany were destined to win this match and, sure enough, Lahm popped up in the last minute to finish superbly after a one-two on the edge of the area.

So Germany reach yet another major final and Turkey are left to ponder what might have been after a valiant attempt to match Greece’s feat of four years ago.