But Spain have shown that high-tempo virility is still a powerful force - but it's just the starting point, the real trick is to build on it with precise technique and inspired creativity. Xavi's wonderful pass to Fernando Torres, and Torres's clever, tenacious run and exquisite finish encapsulated everything that makes Spain worthy kings of the continent.
Like Greece in 2004, this was a victory for a collective. But Spain are no machine, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Fábregas and Sergio Ramos no mere cogs. They are a vibrant organism, each element exuding adventure and intelligence. Their movement, speed and offensive intent make them devastating.
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Spain exemplified all that made this tournament delightful. In addition to the inventors already mentioned, they have a holding midfielder who does so much more than hold: the Makelele role is old hat, rendered obsolete by Senna (and the likes of Holland's Orlando Engelaar and Portgual's João Moutinho). And this was the tournament in which managers truly embraced the belief that full-backs are the first line of attack. They must raid like Ramos (and Philip Lahm or José Bosingwa), and so we had attacking midfielders deployed in what was once a primarily defensive role (Hamit Altintop, Yuri Zhirkov, Gio van Bronckhorst). There is a real zing to this zeitgeist.