As the rain poured down on a dark Thursday night in Vienna, jubilant fans covered in red and gold all over the city and particularly in the stadium, were singing a song that this sports fan would have, two months ago, bet his scarf, flag and strip that he’d never hear in a million years.

“La la la la laaa, Hala Aragones!”

The familiar Spanish and particularly Madridista cheer was heard shaking the rafters of the Ernst Happel stadium after Spain’s convincing 3-0 win, with a slight twist at the end, paying tribute to "el Sabio" who has delivered them from tournament purgatory and into the European Championship Finals.

The limerick was not the only chant that was familiar to my Real ears. Many of the songs sung in the rain during the semifinals were also popular ones usually sung at the Santiago Bernabeau as well as a couple I recognized from other clubs around the Iberian peninsula; yet another telling sign that the footballing nation might just be coming together for something special. 

The match between the two sides started off reserved, both Russia and Spain sitting back on their heels, waiting for the other side to flinch for a few minutes. The match did not evolve into the feast of attacking football that most critics expected until the second half of play.  

The tactical approach from the “magician” Guus Hiddink seemed to be to frustrate the Spanish by closing the door for the first half, and almost hiding Arshavin away on the left side of midfield.

One wonders when Arshavin was supposed to be unleashed on the rickety Spanish defense, but it just didn’t seem to be the little playmaker’s day.

Speaking of that weak defense that has plagued the Armada all tournament, Scrooge seems to have made it a little more airtight, due mostly to the strong play from Ramos (finally) and Puyol. Both players were comprehensively closing down every Russian attack almost with ease (Luis the Scrooge must have really given Ramos the belt in training these past couple of days).

Add into the equation Marcos Senna rampaging back from midfield with a vengeance, and it was always going to be a long night for the Russians.

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