Spain coach hails 'great era'

Coach Vicente del Bosque has hailed Spain's "great generation of footballers" after their historic win over Italy in the final of Euro 2012. 

La Roja's 4-0 victory in Kiev made them the first team to win three successive major international tournaments. "We're talking about a great generation of footballers," said Del Bosque. 

They know how to play together because they come from a country where they learn to play properly. This is a great era for Spanish football." 

 The 61-year-old added: "We have some great lads who play abroad, which was impossible before. We didn't really have players abroad and now foreign clubs want our players. "To win three titles is almost impossible. 

Congratulations to the players. "It's true we were lucky enough to play a great match. Everything worked for us. It was an extraordinary performance against a difficult opponent. 

We played our own game. There were no real external influences - we were faithful to what we've done in recent years. "I didn't really want to be the coach who wins but the coach who educates. I want to keep preparing them for the future. 

Spain were at their scintillating best as goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres - who became the first player to score in two Euros finals - and Juan Mata helped them overpower the Italians by the biggest winning margin in a Euros final. 

They also retained the crown they first won in Vienna four years ago. Between these two, La Roja have also claimed their first World title in South Africa and have now constructed a compelling case to be classed as the best team in history. 

Sunday's victory was also the perfect riposte to the critics who have suggested that Spain have abandoned attacking principles and are not entertaining to watch. Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas told BBC Sport: "It feels really, really amazing. It's one of the best days of my life. 

I don't think we realise what we've done. In time we'll see. Are we boring? People who think we are boring, I don't think they understand the game. 

Spain captain Iker Casillas, for whom Sunday's win was his 100th from 137 caps said: "There will always be some criticism as we have set the bar so high. That's what happens when you come down a step. It's been four marvellous years. 

You might think that a 4-0 margin against Italy means it was easy - but we have been gradually stepping up as the tournament went along. 

 The 61-year-old added: "We have some great lads who play abroad, which was impossible before. We didn't really have players abroad and now foreign clubs want our players. 

To win three titles is almost impossible. Congratulations to the players. "It's true we were lucky enough to play a great match. 

Everything worked for us. It was an extraordinary performance against a difficult opponent. 

We played our own game. There were no real external influences - we were faithful to what we've done in recent years. 

I didn't really want to be the coach who wins but the coach who educates. 

I want to keep preparing them for the future." Spain were at their scintillating best as goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres - who became the first player to score in two Euros finals - and Juan Mata helped them overpower the Italians by the biggest winning margin in a Euros final. 

They also retained the crown they first won in Vienna four years ago. Between these two, La Roja have also claimed their first World title in South Africa and have now constructed a compelling case to be classed as the best team in history. 

Sunday's victory was also the perfect riposte to the critics who have suggested that Spain have abandoned attacking principles and are not entertaining to watch. 

Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas told us: "It feels really, really amazing. 

It's one of the best days of my life. "I don't think we realise what we've done. In time we'll see. 

Are we boring? People who think we are boring, I don't think they understand the game." Spain captain Iker Casillas, for whom Sunday's win was his 100th from 137 caps said: "There will always be some criticism as we have set the bar so high. 

That's what happens when you come down a step. 

It's been four marvellous years. "You might think that a 4-0 margin against Italy means it was easy - but we have been gradually stepping up as the tournament went along. 

We did a really good job in defence, but not only defence. We know we have a lot of quality up front. 

If you can have a clean sheet then it's easier to score. "It was really important for Fernando [Torres]. I know he hasn't had his best season. He had some problems and then didn't play for Chelsea. 

He scored against Ireland and then he scored again in the final. "Are we the best ever? I don't know. 

I think we have to keep winning and win more trophies. When we're retired in 10 or 15 years then maybe we can look back and say we were really good. 

Andres Iniesta was named man of the match and is one of four players - along with Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Xavi - to have started all three final triumphs. 

It's very nice to have this man-of-the-match trophy but it's especially great to be champions again," the Barcelona midfielder said. "The team played a great match and all the players were at their top level. 

Centre-back Gerard Pique added: "It's a really special feeling. I think we have to enjoy this moment. 

This team is making history but we have to keep going and keep working hard. 

There is a World Cup in two years. We're going to enjoy this moment and then keep going."

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Italy and Spain in Euro Climax

The final of Euro 2012 pits a Spain side that has already gone down as one of the most successful teams in history against underdogs Italy, who have overcome adversity to reach the final in a manner similar to their World Cup triumph of 2006. 

A 1-1 meeting on June 10 in their first group game suggested little is between these two now as they battle to be crowned the best team in Europe. 

 In 2006, Italy came into a major tournament with the shadow of a match-fixing crisis hanging over them and pretty much written off as challengers. 

They ended up winning it. Six years later and here we are again, with the unfancied Azzurri charging their way to the final of another competition with domestic match-fixing whispers trailing in their wake. 

Good omens for the Italians or what? 

 Unquestionably it is Vicente del Bosque's team – the current holders and 2010 World Cup winners – who are expected to win in Kiev on Sunday, but football has a way of upsetting the form book, and the way Italy dominated England in the quarter-finals before seeing off a heavily-favoured Germany has many rethinking their pre-tournament predictions. 

 While they have been defensively sound, Spain have failed to light up the tournament in an attacking sense as they have done in previous years. 

With Del Bosque unsure over whom he should name as his starting striker, or indeed if he should name one at all, the options of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Alvaro Negredo have all been used to varying degrees of success; no certain conclusions have been drawn, but a 4-6-0 formation seems to be the one that works the best. 

 Relying on the ball-winning skills of Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso in midfield, the guile of Xavi and Andres Iniesta has been the platform for Spain's attacks but, aside from a 4-0 thrashing of lowly Ireland, Euro 2012 has been something of a frustrating time for the champions. 

Too often their passing game has seemingly run out of ideas in the final third and, when Jesus Navas and Torres have been benched, Spain have seemed to lack their dynamism.

 Italy, too, have struggled in places and did not really look like they could challenge for the tournament before the knockout rounds began. 

Two 1-1 draws in succession against Spain and Croatia kept the points flowing before a 2-0 win over Ireland secured their place, but Cesare Prandelli's men were not showing much confidence before they overran England in normal time and then beat them on penalties.

 Key to that win was Andrea Pirlo, whose 'Panenka' penalty swayed the momentum in their favour in the shootout, and the veteran midfielder has been one of the players of the tournament, leading many to wonder how AC Milan let him join Juventus on a free last summer. 

While some had expected Italy to revert to the defensive stereotype against Germany, it was not to be the case: with Pirlo at the core, the Azzurri showed a desire to get on the front foot before defending their lead. Prandelli's men seem to enjoy the underdog status they have picked up. 

A bad omen for Spain, as they bid to become the only team ever to win three major international tournaments back to back, is that the last time anybody wrote Italy off in such a fashion was 2006. 

 Spain player to watch: Jordi Alba. For all of Spain's attacking talent, it is left-back Alba who has caught the most attention this tournament. 

Providing an outlet in a position that has historically been seen as Spain's weakest, the defender has also helped his country keep the best defensive record in the competition.

 Sealing a €14 million move to Barcelona from Valencia has put him in the spotlight and the final will provide him another platform upon which to shine. 

 Italy player to watch: Mario Balotelli. It is always him and, after his performance in netting a brace to see off Germany in the semi-finals, it can be no-one else. 

Balotelli's impact in the knockout rounds has been immense and he has shown the watching world all that he has to offer: pace, power and a finishing touch that makes him one of the most exciting young players in world football. 

He has kept his cool to ensure that he has the stage to showcase his talent – now he must use it. 

 Key Battle: Xavi v Andrea Pirlo. Two pass-masters who are soon to become past-masters; one wonders if the classy duo will be quite the same force at the European Championship in 2016, but for now they remain two of the finest central midfielders in the world.

 Boasting a great first touch and vision second to none, they are the heartbeat of their respective teams and dictate the tempo at which they play. 

The key to opening up the opposition's defence in Kiev will come from the feet of one of this pair and their vast experience will ensure that the occasion does not get the better of them. 

 Trivia: Three of the four games between Spain and Italy at the European Championship finals have ended as draws. The only one that didn't was a 1-0 for Italy in 1988. 

 Stats: With 69 shots, Italy have attempted the most so far at Euro 2012. 

Spain, meanwhile, have made 58 passes per shot at this tournament, as compared to 44 at the 2010 World Cup and 33 at Euro 2008; their last 28 European Championship goals, including penalties, have all come from inside the box.

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Barca pair in Kiev for Spain

Carles Puyol and David Villa are in Kiev as Spain make final preparations ahead of Sunday's Euro 2012 final. 

 The Barcelona players, both unable to take part in the tournament because of injuries, headed to Ukraine to show support to their team-mates as they get ready to take on Italy. 

 Victory will ensure an historical treble - winning two Euros consecutively with a World Cup in between. 

We are delighted with the arrival of Puyol and Villa," Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque told Marca on Saturday. 

We are trying to make this squad a proper team. It is very positive to see them join us and we appreciate it. 

Despite being on vacation, they came and I am sure their presence will give some additional encouragement to all of us. 

Villa, 30, is Spain's all-time goalscorer and had to sit out of Euro 2012 after breaking his leg in the Club World Cup in December of last year, while Puyol, 34, suffered a knee injury playing for Barcelona.

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Mamma Balotelli: It's very difficult to see Mario cry

Silvia Balotelli, who is the Manchester City forward's adoptive mother, also revealed that her son does not react well when treated badly, but that his performance against die Mannschaft freed him from his troubles. 

When he feels in difficulty, under attack or betrayed, Mario reacts by clamming up. 

He isolates himself from others and that's what happened before the Ireland game [when he was dropped]," she told reporters. 

We struggled to contact him and he wouldn't answer messages. 

This is why I wept with joy. "Those two goals in such a wonderful and important match liberated him, as his talent and the little genius inside came out. 

He managed to prove what he wanted to, finally. "It's very difficult to see Mario cry. The last time was perhaps because of Jose Mourinho. "It's also difficult for him to hug me like that in front of everyone. 

As with every young man, he gets embarrassed to be seen with his mother, but at that moment he was too happy. 

He whispered in my ear to give him a gift and bring his father to Kiev. I went back to Italy, but we'll both be there on Sunday," she admitted. 

 Mrs Balotelli went on to state that she was disappointed after her son got booked for taking his shirt off to celebrate scoring his second goal, and also revealed that she has called coach Prandelli to thank him for his support. 

 "He said he was fed up of everyone criticising him for not celebrating, so he decided to invent something. "My son often tells me he is 'not arrogant, but I feel I have something special within me'. That's what he says. 

Prandelli is a good man and he has taught my son many important things, so I called him to say thank you," she concluded.

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Hummels: Germany screwed up against Italy

The Azzurri booked their spot in Sunday's final to take on Spain thanks to a double from Mario Balotelli, who benefitted from poor German defending to send one of the tournament favourites home empty-handed. 

 Despite picking up their performance and rallying late on through a Mesut Ozil penalty, Hummels believes the Mannschaft ultimately left themselves too much to do against quality opposition. 

We screwed up in the first half," the 23-year-old told reporters after the game. "Two-nil down against a team who are so tactically good is difficult. 

Hummels, who enjoyed a successful domestic season as his Borussia Dortmund side secured a league and cup double, felt his personal performance was not up to par for a match of such magnitude as he took responsibility for the opening goal. 

For the cross for the first goal I didn’t do well enough," he added. "That the cross even went in was my fault so I played a big part in the first goal."

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Germany face Italy in must win

The German revolution after Euro 2000 is approaching its apex. 

In retrospect, it seems an obvious and logical response to the disastrous performance of 12 years ago, particularly as, since reunification, they have won only one major international trophy, but Germany of all countries could have been excused for keeping the faith in their trademark efficiency. 

After all, only two years later, long before the revitalised coaching system began to bear fruit, they reached the World Cup final. 

 The changes have resulted in a thrilling new national side that announced itself through the ruthless exposure of England and Argentina’s shortcomings at the 2010 World Cup, and they continue to tear relentlessly through their opposition: they have scored in each of their last 20 games, netting 51 goals in total, and have won 15 competitive games in succession. 

It is a record even the West German side of the early 1970s could not match. 

 Standing in their way of reaching the final are Italy: a team potentially riven with injury problems that have just had to endure extra-time and a penalty shootout in a quarter-final played two days later than Germany’s.

 Reports suggest Daniele De Rossi, who has excelled at the tournament, is winning his battle for fitness, while Ignazio Abate and Giorgio Chiellini should also be available, but such concerns are far from ideal for a side already likely to be struggling with fatigue.

 Germany, conversely, have a wealth of options that allow them to rest players at will.

 Joachim Low changed his entire front three for the 4-2 victory over Greece, and any significant concern over Bastian Schweinsteiger’s fitness could be resolved by bringing in his Bayern Munich team-mate Toni Kroos. 

Mario Gotze, one of the three players in the squad that Rafael van der Vaart acknowledged as being of genuine class, has not yet managed to make it onto the field this summer. They are in prime position and they know it. 

I believe we are the team you have to beat if you want to win this tournament,” Low said after easing through their quarter-final. 

 Yet while the recent evidence makes Low’s men clear favourites, history favours the Azzurri: Italy have never lost to Germany in a competitive game, and have claimed two wins and a draw against them in their friendly matches in the last decade. 

The last competitive meeting was Italy’s 2-0 win in the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

 “It's the time to break that series,” forward Lukas Podolski told Bild in the build-up to the game. 

Since 2006 we have improved enormously. Today we have a whole different philosophy and a different team. 

The Italians also know that. One thing is clear – we want to be in the final, so we have to beat the Italians. 

To do so they will have to break another series: under Cesare Prandelli, Italy have not yet lost a competitive game. 

 Germany player to watch: Philipp Lahm. 

 A highly capable defender, the captain provided a reminder against Greece that he also poses a goal threat and his raids from left back will be of particular concern for Italy, who are without Christian Maggio through suspension and have doubts over the fitness of Ignazio Abate. 

If Cesare Prandelli continues to ask his full backs to provide the width to his team, Lahm could thrive.

 Italy player to watch: Riccardo Montolivo. Montolivo, who agreed a move to AC Milan this summer, came into the side for the quarter-final against England in place of Thiago Motta and excelled in the first half. 

That he missed a glorious chance from close range and then fired his penalty wide in the shootout may have led some to appraise his performance unkindly but, with so much of the pre-match focus on Andrea Pirlo, he may be able to cause real problems if the Germans leave him space in front of the defence. 

 Key battle: Bastian Schweinsteiger v Andrea Pirlo. 

 Schweinsteiger was far from his best in the 4-2 victory over Greece and has recently suffered from injury problems, but he has declared himself fit to face Italy and, given his undoubted quality and ability to lead, it would be a significant surprise if he were not in the starting line-up. 

He will come up against Pirlo, who has a phenomenal capacity for controlling the game. 

Ahead of the tournament, Spain legend Luis Suarez had suggested he was a finer player than Xavi, and his magisterial showing against England, capped with a Panenka penalty in the shootout, has only enhanced his reputation. 

If Germany can disrupt him, they should win the game; if Pirlo takes control, Italy’s unblemished record could endure. 

 Stats: Italy have scored only four goals at Euro 2012 – the least of any semi-finalist since the tournament was expanded to include a quarter-final stage at Euro 96. 

 Trivia: Riccardo Montolivo’s mother is from Hamburg and has the German flag stitched into his boots. "Part of me is German,” he said, “but I feel Italian.”

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Fabregas puts holders into final

Spain progressed to their third consecutive major final with an 4-2 penalty win over Portugal in the Euro 2012 semi-final at the Donbass Arena.


 Despite playing at far from their best and with chances to find the net at a premium, a total of 120 minutes failed to separate the two sides as the game ended 0-0. With the shoot-out level at 3-2 after Bruno Alves rattled the bar it was Cesc Fabregas who netted the winner. 


 Vicente del Bosque sprung a surprise before kick off as he made one change to the side that defeated France in the quarter-finals, electing to start with Alvaro Negredo in attack ahead of both Fabregas and Fernando Torres. 


 His Portuguese counterpart Paulo Bento also made one alteration, his first after naming the same side for their six previous competitive fixtures. 


Helder Postiga was forced to begin among the substitutes with Hugo Almeida deputising in his stead. 


 The Seleccao set about disrupting Spain's rhythm immediately by pressing their opponents high up the pitch. 


It worked for the opening few minutes as La Roja struggled to get their foot on the ball but they soon forged a chance for themselves. 


 Andres Iniesta played a give-and-go down the left flank with Jordi Alba before passing the ball into the box. 


Negredo could not get a shot away but managed to stab it back to the top of the penalty area where Alvaro Arbeloa tried to caress it into the top corner but his attempt flew over the bar. 


 But the Spaniards were by no means dominating and Cristiano Ronaldo was proving difficult for Del Bosque's men to deal with. 


However, two charging runs down the left failed to result in anything to truly test Iker Casillas with a free kick and a wild volley on the spin inside the opening 25 minutes. Bento's men continued their high-intensity pressing and Spain were unable to get the most out of Xavi when on the ball. 


A long delivery forward resulted in an opportunity for Iniesta but he failed to hit the target, and moments later Ronaldo pulled an effort wide of the goal. 


 Spain continued to look uncomfortable on the ball and just nine minutes after the restart Del Bosque had to concede that his pre-match gamble had not paid off as he replaced Negredo with Fabregas. 


 Portugal were getting a lot of joy from putting the Spaniards under pressure in their own half but Almeida failed to make the most of it in the 57th minute. After his side won the ball back he could have passed to Nani or Ronaldo but instead produced an ambitious shot from 35 yards that did not work Casillas. 


 Shortly after the hour mark Spain began to have their best spell of possession in the opposing half but there remained little to separate the two sides as the tension mounted. 


Xavi got the game's first shot on target with a drilled attempt that was straight at Rui Patricio, shortly followed by a Ronaldo free kick that flashed over the bar. 


 In the 90th minute Portugal found themselves in a four-on-one but when the ball was shifted to the left, Ronaldo failed to make a solid connection and blazed his well off target in what was the last opportunity of normal time. 


 As the Seleccao grew tired they were no longer forcing their opponents to play from deep, instead allowing them to control the ball in their own half during much of extra time. 


Del Bosque's side dominated the extra 30 minutes but Rui Patricio brilliantly thwarted both Iniesta and Jesus Navas either side of the interval to ensure the game went to a penalty shoot-out. 


 Both teams got off to the worst start possible as Patricio and Casillas both saved from Alonso and Moutinho respectively. 


Iniesta, Pepe, Pique, Nani and Ramos all scored - including a Panenka from the latter - before Bruno Alves hit the bar to make the score 3-2 to Spain after four spot-kicks each. It offered Fabregas the chance to book their spot in the final and he obliged, scoring via the post and setting up a date in Kiev for the final with either Germany or Italy on July 1.

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Hodgson defends Rooney over Capello criticism

England manager Roy Hodgson has defended Wayne Rooney's performance at Euro 2012 after Fabio Capello's criticism of the forward. 

 The former Three Lions manager hit out at Rooney's 'lost in translation' jibe on Tuesday by suggesting that he could 'only understand Scottish'. 

 Hodgson, however, leapt to the defence of the 26-year-old before continuing to praise the squad for their efforts in Poland and Ukraine, where they fell in the quarter-finals to Italy. Capello is entitled to his opinions, I suppose," Hodgson said. 

I don't know what relationship he would have had with Wayne but I always think it's a bit cheap to kid on a player who was so anxious to do well. 

His attitude was magnificent. He was putting in extra work in training because he was concerned he was behind the others having missed the first two games through suspension. "He was trying to do extra work and we were trying to put the brakes on. 

His desire to do well was enormous. "In the final game (against Italy) he, along with one or two other players, didn't play to the level he can but that's what football is about. 

If every player was a robot and played at the same level in every game then football would be a very simple game and we wouldn't need coaches. 

Aside from a promising opening 20 minutes in which Glen Johnson and Danny Welbeck were unlucky not to score, England were vastly outplayed by Italy on Sunday and eventually succumbed to defeat in the dreaded penalty shootout. 

Maybe it (the quarter-final) was a bridge too far," Hodgson said. "We ran out of legs a bit in the final part and didn't keep the ball as well as we should have done but it was a valiant effort to take the game to penalties. 

There was a brief period in the first half when we showed what we could do but we couldn't keep that up. Getting to penalties was the best we could do. "I don't think we could have done much more. 

The players' focus couldn’t have been better, and the effort couldn't have been better. "In the first half that showed. 

At half-time I didn't see any reason to believe we couldn't win the game. But in the second half and extra-time it was obvious they were in the ascendancy and we were thankful for some magnificent defending to make sure we stayed in the game. 

There was no surrender. It was a great effort and I feel very proud of what the players did for me on the pitch. But there will always be recriminations if you don't get as far as you'd like, and achieve what you want to."

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Ozil: we will beat Italy and win Euro 2012

Mesut Ozil, who has been an integral part of the German team at Euro 2012 with three assists, is confident that Joachim Low's side will be able to overcome Italy in the semi-finals en route to the trophy. 

 The playmaker also singled out two players from the opposing camp as a potential threat, but praised the Azzurri for being a compact team". "The past does not matter. 

The other teams have great respect for us.

 Our goal is to bring the European title back to Germany, he told reporters. "We are here for this.

 We can beat Italy and we want the title," he continued. “Andrea Pirlo is a world-class player, Mario Balotelli is a great striker. 

But we do not think of the individual adversaries. Italy are a very compact team, but we can beat them," the 23-year-old playmaker added. Germany will face Italy on June 28 in Warsaw.

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Mancini: Balotelli was better than Rooney

Roberto Mancini believes Italy's Mario Balotelli eclipsed Wayne Rooney during Sunday's Euro 2012 quarter-final with England.

 Rooney was a peripheral figure as Roy Hodgson's side struggled to contain Italy in Kiev, and Cesare Prandelli's outfit eventually prevailed on penalties after a 0-0 draw. 

 Mancini has hit back at those who have questioned Balotelli's part in the victory after missing a number of gilt-edged chances, saying that his City marksman outperformed Rooney. 

I think perhaps many are underestimating what (Balotelli) did," Mancini told the Corriere dello Sport. "He was always at the heart of the game, had five or six chances, and was a bit unlucky. 

But we want to compare him with Rooney, who we only noticed when it came to penalties. 'Super Mario' did much better, and he's a great striker we must support all the way." 

 The Premier League-winning manager went on to praise the play of Prandelli's side, who controlled much of the last-eight fixture on their way to a semi-final meeting with Germany. "The Azzurri dominated almost the entire match, by far and away, as if they came down from another planet," he said. 

In the second half and in extra time, they crushed England. "They took my breath away as I waited for the killer goal. That it did not come was only down to tiny details. Beyond Balotelli I saw a great Italy. 

Prandelli also made changes very well while Hodgson thought only to defend himself and had no effect. 

When (Antonio) Nocerino and (Alessandro) Diamanti came on, they gave a great boost." Italy will now compete with Germany for a place in Sunday's final.

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Italy sends England 'parking'

England's penalty shoot-out misery continued in Kiev as they crashed out of Euro 2012 to Italy, who deserved to progress after dominating the match. 

 Still, after Mario Balotelli's talk of Peter Pan, the semi-finals of a major tournament are becoming the equivalent of Never Never Land for the Three Lions. 

Six times now they have lost in such fashion, the last four at this stage of the competition. 

 Tonight it was the turn of Ashley Young and Ashley Cole to join the unhappy list of those whose nerve failed them when it mattered. 

Both men needed consoling as Italy began their celebrations as, outplayed for long periods of an absorbing game, all England's defensive effort proved in vain. 

 It means Italy march onto Thursday's semi-final with Germany in Warsaw and leaves Roy Hodgson to pick the bones from an otherwise impressive tournament in time for next autumn's World Cup qualifiers. 

 Before the drama, all those pre-match predictions of a tight, cagey affair had been blown to bits inside the opening five minutes. Claudio Marchisio picked out Daniele de Rossi with a peach of a cut-back. 

From 25 yards, De Rossi let fly with a spectacular first-time volley, which curved away from Joe Hart's despairing dive, only to crash back off the post. Starved of possession in those early stages, England eventually countered through Glen Johnson. 

The Liverpool defender continued his run after laying a pass off to Ashley Young and was picked out inside the box by James Milner. Had the chance fallen to a striker, England surely would have scored. 

 As it was, Johnson took vital seconds manoeuvring the ball into a position from which he could shoot, and when he did, Gianluigi Buffon stood firm to make an excellent one-handed save. 

They were the most notable efforts of a surprisingly open start, during which Wayne Rooney sent a diving header over and Andrea Pirlo released Mario Balotelli, only for John Terry to rescue the situation with a vital tackle. 

 No-one could help when Riccardo Montolivo's disguised pass looped over the England defence and dropped invitingly for Balotelli, whose volley went straight to Hart. 

 At the other end, Danny Welbeck's precise effort sailed over after he had run onto Rooney's return pass. It was spellbinding stuff, with Italy having the edge in craft and guile, whilst also looking vulnerable when England attacked at pace. 

 Balotelli's notoriously fragile temperament resulted in him lashing out at a post after spurning another opportunity, which Pirlo and Antonio Cassano combined to provide. 

He ended the half driving over from long-range, extending a contribution substantially more effective than Rooney, whose failure to pick out a team-mate with a cross under no pressure was symptomatic of a player struggling to find his form.

 England were caught cold straight after the interval when Marchisio found De Rossi in the box, only for the midfielder to mis-kick a volley wide from barely four yards when he had the time to do much better. 

 It was the start of an onslaught that had England teetering on the brink as Pirlo took command in imperious fashion. 

At 33, the midfielder now assumes the Paul Scholes-role for his country, dropping deep and dictating the tempo, and for a while, England were powerless to stop him. 

 Terry denied Balotelli at the far-post with a thunderous clearing header, then Hart repelled De Rossi's long-range effort and also Balotelli's follow-up. 

Montolivo got to the loose ball first but his shot sailed over. Hodgson had seen enough and after Balotelli's overhead kick had gone over, Andy Carroll and Theo Walcott were introduced. 

 With Italy making changes as well, the game lost its shape, so, as had been imagined, extra-time was required. 

After their defiant rearguard action, it would have been galling in the extreme for England's defences to be breached by a fluke. 

Fortunately, what was intended as a cross by former West Ham man Alessandro Diamanti clipped the far post after Hart reacted too late to the danger it was posing. Antonio Nocerino thought he had won it six minutes from the end but his header was correctly ruled out for offside. It merely delayed the inevitable. 

That England led after the first two rounds of penalties to give hope, only made defeat all the more crushing as Pirlo chipped one down the middle brilliantly only for Young and Cole to miss before Diamanti delivered the final blow.

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England and Italy fights for right to semis

England and Italy will contest their first competitive fixture for 15 years in the last quarter-final of Euro 2012 on Sunday.

 Roy Hodgson's England defied gloomy pre-tournament predictions to top Group D and avoid an early meeting with holders Spain in the last eight.

 They kicked off their campaign in Poland and Ukraine with a somewhat fortunate 1-1 draw against France.

 That was followed by a rollercoaster 3-2 victory over Sweden, in which England took the lead, fell behind, and then rallied to take all three points, thanks to goals from Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck and substitute Theo Walcott.

 They were outclassed for long periods of their final Group D match against Ukraine, who were desperate for victory to continue their participation in the tournament on home soil.

 But a lone Wayne Rooney strike and huge slice of good fortunate - with Ukraine denied a legitimate goal despite putting the ball over the line - saw Hodgson's men emerge 1-0 winners from the match at the Donbass Arena, Donetsk.

 Italy, meanwhile, earned a valuable point with a 1-1 draw against world and European champions Spain in their first match of the tournament.

 They surrendered the lead to draw with an impressive Croatia by the same scoreline in their second match of Group C, before beating Ireland 2-0 to finish as runners-up behind Spain.

 While Cesare Prandelli's side are yet to hit any great heights at Euro 2012, they have improved markedly on their dismissal showing as defending champions at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they surrendered their crown after failing to escape a group containing New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay.

 On Sunday the two countries clash in competitive action for the first time since October 1997, when England held Italy to a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, in a qualifying match for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

 Expect Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who returned from suspension in the match against Ukraine, to start again for England at the Olympic Stadium, Kiev.

 He will be partnered by either club team-mate Welbeck or Liverpool centre-forward Carroll.

 Ashley Young and James Milner have yet to impress, but Hodgson is likely to keep faith with the pair ahead of the more unpredictable Arsenal duo of Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. In attack for Italy, Prandelli must choose between Udinese veteran Antonio Di Natale, AC Milan's Antonio Cassano or Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, who would be up against club colleagues Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott and Milner.

 Centre-back Giorgio Chiellini will miss out for Italy with a thigh problem, and is likely to be replaced by Juventus team-mate Leonardo Bonucci.

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Furious Fabio denies he is spying for Italy ahead of clash with England

Fabio Capello has gone ‘crazy’ at suggestions he has been helping Italy prepare for Sunday’s showdown against England.

 Capello’s son, Pierfilippo, said the Italian former England manager is torn over which country to support.

 Just before Capello reached Miami for Saturday’s charity match with Leo Messi, he was told of reports claiming he might betray England after four years coaching the country. Who the **** is writing this ****?’ Capello demanded to know.

 ‘I will sue them.’ Pierfilippo said: ‘Fabio went crazy when I spoke to him about this. We will start legal action against anyone who has suggested he has been helping Italy’s coach in any way. 

They haven’t even spoken for a year. ‘It is an insult to Fabio to suggest he would reveal anything after four years working for the FA.

 ‘He still has many close relationships with people at the FA. He wouldn’t do it, he values what he had with the England players too much.

’ So has Capello been working for England against his native country? ‘No,’ said his son, who acts as his father’s agent and part of his legal team.

 'Fabio doesn’t know the Italy players any better than Roy Hodgson does. He hasn’t been helping either camp, though he very much wants to watch the game.

 ‘I genuinely think his loyalties are divided.

 He is a proud Italian and played for his country, yet he wouldn’t be able to support Italy against England without having some trouble in his heart about it. 

I will support Italy but I think my father is 50-50.’ Capello led England to Euro 2012 qualification in the first place.

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Nasri in four-letter outburst at journalist after Spain defeat

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri exited Euro 2012 with a foul-mouthed tirade aimed at a French journalist following his side’s quarter-final defeat against Spain.

 Nasri, who has courted controversy throughout the tournament, was among the first of the French players to enter the post-match interview area after a contest that was dominated from start to finish by the reigning European champions.

 The 24-year-old initially walked off hastily in the direction of the team bus and refused to answer any questions from journalists who were seeking his reaction to the 2-0 defeat. But he soon returned, apparently having forgotten one of his personal belongings, when the confrontation occurred.

 When pressed for an answer by a reporter working for a French news agency, Nasri responded with an astonishing foul-mouthed outburst which culminated in him offering the journalist in question outside for a fight.

 An extraordinary flurry of insults ladened with four-letter words kicked off his rant, in which he claimed the press always wrote "c**p stories" about his team.

 Then the former Arsenal man shouted: "Now you can say that I've been badly brought up! Come over there and let's fix this.

 The Manchester City midfielder had been dropped to the substitutes’ bench by France coach Laurent Blanc for his part in the row that broke out following the defeat against Sweden in Kiev on Monday, which meant Les Bleus surrendered the opportunity to top Group D.

 The former Arsenal player has been involved in a long-running dispute with his national press that had already boiled over during France’s first game of the tournament against England.

 After sports newspaper L’Equipe had criticised his recent performances, Nasri responded with a controversial celebration, putting his finger to his lips and pointing at the reporter who had written the article, saying "shut your mouth" after he had scored the equalising goal against Roy Hodgson’s side.

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Spain 2-0 France: Alonso's double sinks France

Spain set up an all-Iberian semi-final with Portugal as they earned a 2-0 win over France with a workmanlike display in the last eight at the Donbass Arena.

 La Furia Roja bossed the game in large parts, opening the scoring midway through the first half as Xabi Alonso headed in as he completed a century of international appearances.

 Despite an improved performance in the second half Les Bleus failed to find a breakthrough and received a sucker-punch when Alonso slotted home from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time.

 Following Fernando Torres' disappointing performance against Croatia, Vicente del Bosque reverted to the striker-less formation which garnered so much criticism after their opening group game with Cesc Fabregas rejoining the forward line.

 In an attempt to stifle the typically fluid and creative Spaniards, Laurent Blanc opted to begin with Mathieu Debuchy in front of Anthony Reveillere on the right in order to help protect against Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba.

 Samir Nasri started among the substitutes amidst rumours on infighting for a fairly conservative looking French team. 

 Spain controlled the ball from kick off, passing it across the field and probing for an opening that proved elusive until the 19th minute.

 Blanc will have been furious that when Spain did create an opportunity it came down his side's supposedly fortified right.

 Iniesta threaded a pass to the overlapping Alba and he looked up and picked out Alonso at the back post who headed the ball back across goal and into the far corner.

 Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema were doing their best to provide a moments respite for their side but for all their endeavour they frequently found themselves running into dead ends and handing the ball straight back to the opposition.

 In the 35th minute Les Bleus got their first shot on target from a free kick after Sergio Ramos felled Benzema. 

Yohan Cabaye struck the ball from 35 yards and it looked destined for the top left corner but Iker Casillas got a palm to it to stop it from hitting the net.

 For all their possession La Roja were once again creating very little.

 A give-and-go between Iniesta and Fabregas enabled the former to get in behind the defence but his effort was blocked by a recovering Laurent Koscielny on his competitive debut for France.

 France returned from the break in a far more positive manner, they were combative in midfield and began to commit greater numbers forward when on the ball. 

With an hour played Ribery worked some space on the left and clipped a cross into the middle. Debuchy met it in the centre of the box but his header sailed narrowly over the bar.

 With Spain reducing their urgency and the tempo of the game Blanc sensed the momentum swinging the way of his side made two attacking substitutes, replacing Debuchy and Florent Malouda with Jeremy Menez and Nasri. 

 All night France had allowed Alvaro Arbeloa a lot of freedom on the right in an attempt to provide Ribery with more space in behind him on the left flank.

 This almost paid dividends in the 71st minute when the Bayern Munich winger charged forwards and drilled a dangerous cross into the six-yard box but Casillas got a hand to it and gathered at the second attempt.

 The substitutes failed to have the desired impact on the game however as the Spanish defence remained tight.

 Del Bosque's side were awarded a penalty in stoppage-time when Reveillere brought Pedro down in the area. Alonso stepped up and converted from 12 yards, sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way.

 Spain now have three days of rest until they return to Donetsk to face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the semi-final.

 France will turn their attentions to the World Cup qualifying campaign where they will face La Roja twice, with the first fixture coming in October.

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