UEFA Euro 2012: Spain Proves Germany Is No. 1 Contender

If there was any question who the team to beat was in Euro 2012 headed into Wednesday's semifinal clash between Spain and Portugal, we have the definitive answer now.

If Spain plays the way it did against Portugal, the side won't repeat as champions if Germany makes it to the final.

Spain, supposedly the team to beat coming into Euro 2012, has played tremendous defense; there's no debating that. But the offense is letting the side down; there's no debating that, either.

Despite holding Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. to a grand total of zero goals before the penalty shootout on Wednesday, Spain didn't score until the shootout, either. The Spanish could have easily lost that match in the shootout, and may have been saved when Ronaldo curiously was saved/saved himself for Portugal's fifth penalty kick.

Despite supposedly being the better ball-controlling side coming into its match with Portugal, Spain only possessed the ball for 45 percent of the game on Wednesday. The Spanish attempted a mediocre 11 shots in 120 minutes before the penalty shootout.

It's hard to say why Spain looked so disjointed against Portugal. Has coach Vicente del Bosque become too creative in his lineups (he started Alvaro Negredo ahead of Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres) or has his side given him no choice? Even after Del Bosque substituted Fabregas back in, the Spanish didn't look like world-beaters.

On the other hand, Germany has scored the most goals in the tournament thus far (nine) and allowed just four goals. The side has had contributions across the board, evidenced in the quarterfinals against Greece, when four different German players scored not named Mario Gomez.

Germany also ranks second in ball possession in Euro 2012, handling on the pitch for 57 percent of its matches. And, despite not having the backend that Spain does, Germany has a tremendous goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer who has been fantastic on the big stage thus far.

While you don't have to look electric to win a Euro championship, there's something to be said about the fact that Germany has looked well-oiled in the tournament, while Spain still appears to be working out its kinks.