Ballack's silverware heartache continues

VIENNA: Having lost May's Champions League final with Chelsea, Michael Ballack again suffered silverware heartbreak on Sunday as Germany lost the Euro 2008 final 1-0 to Spain.

After the Blues missed out to Manchester United in Moscow, the German captain tasted bitter defeat for the second time in as many months in Vienna as a first-half strike by Liverpool's Fernando Torres broke German hearts.

"It is very sad to lose when one has come such a long way," said the 31-year-old, who also lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in February's League Cup final.