Fernando Torres was the hero for Spain by firing them to Euro 2008 glory against Germany in Vienna - and ending 44 years of disappointment.

Torres struck in the 33rd minute at Ernst Happel Stadion and despite the efforts of Germany skipper Michael Ballack, they held on to their lead to spark wild celebrations in Austria’s capital.

Spain outshot Germany 14-4, with Spain showing more fluidity and creativity on the field than the efficient German team.

The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to trade Yi Jianlian to the New Jersey Nets for Richard Jefferson. They are also are sending Bobby Simmons to the Nets. He has $20.5 million left on a contract that expires in the summer of 2010, when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh would become free agents.

This trade might be considered a sign that the Nets are looking to get involved in the LeBron sweepstakes, based in no small part on his close friendship with Nets minority owner Jay-Z. As a result of this trade, the Nets are no longer committed to paying Jefferson $15 million in 2010-11.

Yi’s camp was said to be thrilled about going to the re-structuring Nets and playing in a major market, which was one of the original concerns when he was drafted by the Bucks last year. Yi threatened to not sign with Milwaukee in hopes of forcing a trade to another team. The Bucks will keep their No. 8 pick in the draft to further spruce up their team. The Nets hold the No. 10 pick.

The Bucks, meanwhile, are providing new coach Scott Skiles with a veteran player who can help him win. Jefferson averaged 22.6 points a game last season.

A new article on CBS Sports lists the top 50 players in the NFL right now. No big surprises on the list.

1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers
4. Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots
5. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos
6. Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans
7. Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis Colts
8. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
9. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys
10. Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings
11. Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers
12. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings
13. Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
14. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans
15. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
16. Walter Jones, T, Seattle Seahawks
17. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers
19. Steve Hutchinson, G, Minnesota Vikings
20. Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
21. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
22. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
23. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens
24. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
25. Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis Colts
26. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
27. Jason Peters, T, Buffalo Bills
28. Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
29. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders
30. Richard Seymour, DE, New England Patriots
31. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
32. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears
33. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
34. Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland Browns
35. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
36. Tommie Harris, DT, Chicago Bears
37. Asante Samuel, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
38. Shawn Andrews, G, Philadelphia Eagles
39. Ernie Sims, LB, Detroit Lions
40. Lofa Tatupu, LB, Seattle Seahawks
41. Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots
42. Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants
43. Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers
44. Kellen Winslow, TE, Cleveland Browns
45. Aaron Kampman, DE, Green Bay Packers
46. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
47. Marcus Trufant, CB, Seattle Seahawks
48. Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots
49. Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
50. Devin Hester, KR, Chicago Bears

A brave Turkish side depleted by injuries and suspensions were given a taste of their own medicine when Germany scored a last minute winner to reach the final of Euro 2008. Germany were fortunate not to get behind in the 13th minute when  Akman pulled the ball back from the byline for Kazim Richards to hit the crossbar from inside the area. In the 22nd minute Kazim Richards took a swipe at a low cross, sending the ball off the crossbar into the path of Ugur who knocked the ball past the unbalanced Lehmann from 6 yards out, but the Turkish lead lasted only 4 minutes as Podolski delivered a low cross into the box which Schweinsteiger spun into the back of the net with the outside of his right foot.

Germany took the lead in the 79th minute when Klose got to a cross before Rustu and headed the ball in, but with 4 minutes left Sabri’s low cross was toe-poked in at the near post by Semih for what looked like the goal that would take the match to extra time. However, a last minute goal from Philipp Lahm ended Turkey’s dream of Euro 2008 glory .

MVP Kobe Bryant still has a shot to win a big prize after failing to nab the NBA championship, and he’ll have lots of help along the way. The next step is to bring home the gold, and the U.S. will send a deep, versatile team to China.

LeBron James. Dwyane Wade. Jason Kidd. Carmelo Anthony. Tayshaun Prince, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Michael Redd and Deron Williams.

They will lead a U.S. Olympic basketball team that was announced yesterday and hope to capture the gold medal in Beijing in August after a third-place showing in Athens four years ago. The team already has “re-established itself” on an international level, USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said during a news conference.

Russia won an unexpected place in the Euro 2008 semi-finals with a thoroughly deserved 3-1 extra-time win over the Dutch on Saturday.

Coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, the Russians finished off their tired opponents with late goals from substitute Dmitry Torbinsky and playmaker Andrei Arshavin after the teams had finished level at 1-1 by the end of regular time.

The Russians will face the winners of Sunday’s quarter-final between Italy and Spain for a place in the Vienna showpiece

After 22 years, the NBA has gone green again. The Celtics concluded a crazy rebound of a season with an amazing 131-92 blowout over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 last night. The Celtics won their 17th NBA title and a first one for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, a  Big Three for a new generation. Garnett scored 26 points with 14 rebounds, Allen scored 26 and Pierce, the finals MVP who shook off a sprained right knee sustained in game one. Boston’s 39-point win surpassed the NBA record for the biggest margin of victory in a championship clincher; the Celtics beat the Lakers 129-96 in Game 5 of the 1965 NBA finals.

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan is retiring after a 15-year career, capped by a Super Bowl title with the New York Giants in February. He holds the NFL record for sacks in a single season with 22.5, breaking New York Jets great Mark Gastineau’s total of 22 in the 2001 season. Strahan retires with 141.5 career sacks, 794 career tackles, 4 career interceptions, 21 forced fumbles and 2 career touchdowns in 200 games over a 15 year career (through 2007 season).

On a obviously painful left knee that gave him way more trouble than he ever let on, Woods birdied the 72nd hole Sunday to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate. Woods blew a three-stroke lead with eight holes remaining in Monday’s playoff and trailed by one with three to go. The world’s No. 1-ranked player then made another birdie at the last hole to tie Mediate and force sudden death in what will go down as one of the game’s most exciting tournaments.

A par on the first extra hole, the par-4 seventh, was good enough to clinch Woods’ 14th major title as Mediate made a bogey.

“I think this is probably the best ever,” Woods said. “All things considered, I don’t know how I ended up in this position, to be honest with you. It was a long week. A lot of doubt, a lot of questions going into the week. And here we are, 91 holes later.”

The Boston Celtics so close to claiming the N.B.A. title on the Lakers’ home court. But the Lakers used the power of their veterans as the evening went on and pulled out a 103-98 victory that extended the finals for at least another two days and sent the series back to Boston.

The Celtics now have two chances to take the title at TD Banknorth Garden, starting with Game 6 on Tuesday, when the Lakers will try to delay their victory once more. The Celtics’ disappointment was offset by the security of a 3-2 lead in the series, and their 12-1 playoff record at home. The Celtics need one win for their 17th title. The Lakers need two wins for their 10th in Los Angeles, and 14th over all.