Olympic Stadium, Kiev Sunday 1 July Kick-off 20:45 CET
In what is looking like being a cracking final between two attacking teams. When the two met in the group stage the match finished 1-1 with the Italians being the last team to score a goal against Spain in the tournament.
The Italians are pumped up for the match but coach Cesare Prandelli admits that Spain will start the game as favourites saying: “I open my eyes but I’m still dreaming,” said Prandelli. “There’s great satisfaction here as everyone has put so much work into this.
“But Spain will go into the game as favourites.”
He added: “They’ve been working on this for many years and have dominated every single contest. They are a brilliant side.”
Spain will not only be playing to win the 2012 European championship tomorrow, but also to acknowledged as the best team of all time. After decades of promising so much but not winning when it mattered Vincente Del Bosques team is on the eve of a treble wining two European championships, and the World Cup gaining Spain a football following of millions of fans around the world inspired by their precise quick paced passing.
When talking about the final with Italy Spain’s penalty hero Cesc Fabregas lit up saying: “We have already made history, this is about much more. Our whole country is here with us in spirit, it’s a great motivation.”
Italy’s Super Mario has already boasted that he wants to put four goals in the Spanish net. Fabregas however has another idea saying: “If we deactivate their offensive threat, we will have a big chance.
“Balotelli is a great player. He had two moments and scored two fantastic goals against one of the great powers of world football like Germany.
“The way he scored the second goal smashing it into the top corner from outside the box shows he is a crack player. He will be a big threat as will Cassano.”
Cesc added that it will be his Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta who will lead them to victory.
“Iniesta is the player we need to be leader of our attack. He exceeds himself in every game. He has had a difficult season with many injuries but has arrived here in great shape. He has the creativity few players have.
“We need him to take responsibility as he is our point of reference in attack.”
“Luckily we have a football-mad country. Winning on penalties always means more but the people have gone on to the streets many times since the tournament started. They have supported us.
“Many have come here to support us despite the difficulties they face. It’s a huge satisfaction to feel our country is here. We hope we won’t leave them disappointed but that we will give them another huge cause to celebrate on Monday in Madrid.
“The memory of so many coming to celebrate with us, the emotion and the pride and joy we felt by giving moments of happiness to our people, these are the feelings we want to relive. And they will be a source of inspiration for us against Italy.” As for me I have my table reserved on the street at our local bar “Marvi” where I will cheering on the ‘Furia Roja’ while downing some ice-cold Cruzcampo beers.
My prediction for this game is that it is too close to calls, and could very well go to penalties.
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