FiFA Football World Cup News, Updates, Events, Records, Programs, Players, Teams, Videos: 2012

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Vicente del Bosque Takes the Acclaim After Collecting his Winners' Medal

Vicente del Bosque has become only the second coach to lead sides to glory at both the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup after Germany's Helmut Schön.

Vicente del Bosque has become only the second coach to lead sides to glory at both the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup following Spain's 4-0 UEFA EURO 2012 final victory against Italy in Kyiv.

Before Sunday the only trainer to get his hands on the Henri Delaunay Cup and FIFA World Cup Trophy was Helmut Schön, who guided West Germany to European and global glory in 1972 and 1974, respectively. Only Antonín Panenka's famous penalty for Czechoslovakia in the 1976 UEFA European Championship final denied Schön, and a side featuring the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier and Paul Breitner, a hat-trick.

Spain have now achieved that elusive treble while Del Bosque, who took the reins from Luis Aragonés after UEFA EURO 2008, has matched Schön's feat. He led La Roja to their maiden World Cup triumph in South Africa two summers ago, defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final to break Schön's record as the oldest winning coach. By stretching Spain's unbeaten run in competitive matches to 20 in Ukraine, the 61-year-old duly added the EURO.

Under Schön, West Germany also finished runners-up at the 1966 World Cup and 1976 UEFA European Championship. Two other coaches won continental crowns before falling at the final hurdle in the World Cup: Italy's Ferruccio Valcareggi lost to Brazil in 1970 two years after claiming the EURO and the Azzurri condemned Schön's West Germany successor Jupp Derwall to a similar fate in 1982. Del Bosque, who also won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid CF in 2001/02 (something Schön never managed), had no such problem.

Spain Overpower Italy to Win UEFA EURO 2012 - 4-0 Victory in Kyiv

Spain 4-0 Italy
Vicente del Bosque's side saved their best until last at UEFA EURO 2012 as they overwhelmed an Italy outfit that ran out of steam.

Spain saved their best until last at UEFA EURO 2012, a final-record 4-0 victory in Kyiv completing an unprecedented hat-trick of major tournament wins.

Against a flagging Italy side whose thrilling knockout campaign looked to have caught up with them, Spain were in control from the moment David Silva broke the deadlock with a rare header on 14 minutes. A barnstorming second with half-time approaching from the indefatigable Jordi Alba, his first international goal, left the Azzurri with a mountain to climb. The sight of Thiago Motta, their third substitute, being carried off on a stretcher ended all hope, leaving Italy to play out the last 28 minutes with ten men – and Spain replacements Fernando Torres and Juan Mata fully capitalized.

This was billed as a meeting of great creative minds, of conductors in their prime, of Xavi Hernández against Andrea Pirlo; but for much of the opening stages it was a one-man show. Spain's No8 picked up the baton from the off, in harmony with Andrés Iniesta, dictating La Roja's now familiar staccato movement as Italy were forced deeper and deeper. The olés had already begun among the sizeable Spanish contingent in the 63,170 crowd when, just before the quarter-hour, the pair combined to such devastating effect.

Xavi, who had fired just over moments earlier, fed Iniesta and his finely weighted ball allowed Cesc Fàbregas to easily outstrip Giorgio Chiellini on the inside-right channel. There was still plenty to do but how easily Spain made it look as Fàbregas pulled a sharp ball back for Silva, all 170cm of him, to glance his header in. It proved a disappointed Chiellini's last real action as he soon succumbed to the thigh problem that has hampered him throughout his time in Poland and Ukraine.

A heavy-legged Italy could ill afford the double blow, but impressively they fought their way back into it. Pirlo, inevitably, was their driving force, the beating drum that pulled the strings at the back and sounded the horn to attack. Not that there was much of that. In fact, Pirlo's most telling contribution of the first half was a superb last-ditch block on Iniesta. Yet try as he might – and he did try – the 33-year-old could not be everywhere.

Spain's second was a little too easy, though. Standing on the touch line near halfway, Fàbregas headed Iker Casillas's clearance to Alba who turned the ball into Xavi before haring forward. The Azzurri back line did not seem to notice but the erudite Xavi did, advancing forward before slotting his new FC Barcelona club-mate in. The composed left-footed finish that followed would have pleased even David Villa, watching in the stands with Carles Puyol.

It seemed nothing could now deny Spain a first competitive victory against the Azzurri in 92 years – at least over 90 minutes – but Italy were not done yet. Antonio Di Natale, scorer in the 1-1 draw between these sides three weeks ago, came on for Antonio Cassano and within six minutes he could have scored twice. His first chance, a header, was far from simple but the striker could have done better when Riccardo Montolivo's pass found him in space. He snatched at the chance, though, and the advancing Casillas blocked.

Yet Italy's slender hopes of mounting a comeback disappeared when Thiago Motta did likewise down the tunnel. It was left for Xavi to resume his conducting, slowing things down until, with six minutes remaining, he upped the tempo for a rousing crescendo. First he robbed Pirlo in midfield and set up Torres for a goal to add to his UEFA EURO 2008 showpiece effort – a feat no one has managed before – then he combined with Torres to release Mata, just on, to set seal on an emphatic win. It has been an emphatic four years.

Faultless Ramos the Star of Spain's Showcase - UEFA Cup Final Review

Sergio Ramos's flawless showing ensured the defender was the Castrol top performer as he helped Spain stride to an historic 4-0 victory against Italy in the UEFA EURO 2012 final.

Spain defender Sergio Ramos did not put a foot wrong as La Roja overwhelmed Italy 4-0 in Kyiv to complete an unprecedented hat-trick of major tournament wins.

The 26-year-old defender has been integral to an exceptional Spain side that conceded just once en route to their title defence. It was business as usual as Vicente del Bosque's men earned their fifth straight clean sheet in Poland and Ukraine, and Ramos's contribution was acknowledged as he topped the Castrol EDGE Index with a score of 9.69.

Defensively, Ramos was faultless. He earned points for a valuable block on Andrea Barzagli's goal-bound effort; keeping an Italian attack – including an in-form Mario Balotelli – in check; and for ball recovery, regaining possession from Cesare Prandelli's side on no less than 15 occasions.

The Real Madrid CF man's boundless energy, athleticism and determination ensured he was as potent in Italy's penalty area as he was protective in his own, and a good deal of his rating is for his attacking endeavour. He gave the Azzurri nightmares from set pieces and had four efforts on goal, including two on-target shots from close range, to crown an imperious performance.

Ramos headed a Spanish clean sweep. Marauding left-back Jordi Alba scored a fine goal to grab a 9.09 rating and finish second, while Iker Casillas came third on 9.07 to round off the top three.

Castrol EDGE Index: Spain v Italy
1. Sergio Ramos (ESP) 9.69
2. Jordi Alba (ESP) 9.09
3. Iker Casillas (ESP) 9.07
4. Xavi Hernández (ESP) 9.06
5. David Silva (ESP) 8.60

Key facts
1 – Spain are the first European side to win three consecutive major tournaments (UEFA EURO 2008, 2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2012).

2 – Vicente del Bosque has become only the second coach to win the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship (after Helmut Schön, who won in 1972 and 1974 with Germany).

3 – Spain have equaled Germany's record of three European Championship wins (1964, 2008, 2012).

4 – La Roja became the first team to score four goals in a EURO final.

9 – Iker Casillas equalled Edwin van der Sar's record for clean sheets at the EUROs, this match earning his ninth shutout in this competition.

Spanish Moon on the Boom - Winning Hatrik in UEFA Champions League

Part of a defense which conceded just one goal at UEFA EURO 2012, Spain center-back Sergio Ramos finished top of the Castrol EDGE Index after the holders' historic final win.

For the second successive UEFA European Championship, Spain provided the winner of the Castrol EDGE Index, Sergio Ramos taking the honour in 2012 following a historic night at Kyiv's Olympic Stadium.

The 26-year-old, who succeeds metronomic midfielder Xavi Hernández in topping the pile, climbed seven places to the summit courtesy of a display in which he was heavily involved at both ends of the field.

A cornerstone of the holders' impenetrable defense, the Real Madrid CF man finished just ahead of club-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who had led the standings since the end of the group stage. Gerard Piqué, Ramos' center-back partner, completes the podium; he is the second of seven Spain players in the top ten, including their entire rearguard.

Ramos was in the thick of the action from the off against the Azzurri, having two efforts on goal – one a free-kick, the other a header – in the first seven minutes and four overall, two of which were on target. At the other end, a block from Andrea Barzagli and his retrieval of possession on 15 occasions swelled his match rating to 9.69, the third highest for a game at UEFA EURO 2012.

Ramos, ever-present in La Roja's unprecedented third consecutive major tournament victory, was instrumental in Vicente del Bosque's team keeping five consecutive clean sheets in Poland and Ukraine. The fourth of those came in the semi-finals, when he helped shackle Ronaldo, whose three goals and tournament-record 15 shots on target were responsible for the bulk of his overall 9.61 mark.

Piqué, Ramos and full-backs Jordi Alba and Álvaro Arbeloa – sixth and seventh respectively – limited the opposition to just 21 shots in six matches. In addition to this, the indefatigable Alba owes his rise from 14th to his well-taken goal, his first at international level, in the final.

The holders are further represented by Xabi Alonso (fourth), Andrés Iniesta (fifth) and Sergio Busquets (ninth). Alonso was a model of consistency throughout with his passing, with only Xavi completing more than the Madrid midfielder's 490. Crucially, in Index terms, 251 of these were forward passes in opposition territory.

Pepe (eighth) and Claudio Marchisio, on the losing team in the showpiece, make up the top ten.

Tournament facts
1 – Goals conceded at UEFA EURO 2012 by Spain in 570 minutes of action.

2 – Vicente del Bosque is the second coach after Helmut Schön to win a FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.

5 – David Silva had a role in more goals at UEFA EURO 2012 than any other player (two goals, three assists).

189 – Minutes in which Fernando Torres scored his adidas Golden Boot-winning total of three goals.

531 – The tournament-high total of passes completed by Xavi Hernández, at an average of 89 per game.

Triumphant Spain Do It Their Way - Europa Champions League 2012 Final

From 'false' No9s to an outrageous penalty and an extraordinary defence, Spain's history-makers enjoyed another memorable tournament at UEFA EURO 2012. Graham Hunter looks back.

Spain completed a memorable tournament and made history when they lifted the Henri Delaunay Cup again on Sunday. Some great national sides have tilted at this achievement, and failed. Not only is this the first retention of a UEFA European Championship, it is the first three-in-a-row combination of world and continental titles. Not the West Germany or Brazil sides of the 1970s, nor the France of Zinédine Zidane – no group of players have endured like those who started winning under Luis Aragonés four years ago and have now sealed their status as all-time greats.

In a nutshell
Put simply, Spain found solutions. If you are robbed of David Villa, the most prolific striker in Spain's history, then goals have to become a problem. While the debate fizzed about a 'false' No9 versus an old-fashioned centre-forward, Vicente del Bosque, Cesc Fàbregas and Fernando Torres just got on with it. Italy were pegged back by the former Arsenal FC captain, Torres burst into life against the Republic of Ireland, and Fàbregas was pivotal against Croatia.

A rare Xabi Alonso double dealt with France but Fàbregas popped up with the winning penalty in the semi-final against Portugal before Torres's late cameo in the final earned him the adidas Golden Boot.

High point
Surely the Sergio Ramos-Iker Casillas double act against Portugal. One-nil down after Alonso's spot kick was saved, the man known as San Iker (Saint Iker) in his homeland saved one before Ramos chipped Rui Patrício in the most outrageous style imaginable. It was tide-turning, admirable and daring – hats off to Ramos.

Key man
What a hugely difficult task, but the winner has to be Del Bosque. He chose the double pivot style and stuck to it. He found solutions for the absence of David Villa and the slow return to form of Torres. Through all the difficulties he made substitutions which produced goals, he maintained a sense of humour and elegance and he deserves his place in the coaching pantheon.

Hope for the future
Jordi Alba, a novice on arrival, was superb and crowned off a wonderful tournament with a stunning goal in the final. What is more, there were very limited opportunities for reigning European Under-21 champions Juan Mata and Javi Martínez, though the Chelsea FC man came on and scored against Italy. Several of Luis Milla's U21 winners are knocking at the door of the senior squad but none of the elder statesmen seem particularly disposed to move on. The future looks bright.

Vital statistic
Since elimination from the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Spain have played ten tournament knockout matches without conceding a single goal.

Final word
I think it's very difficult to be champions once, twice is a lot more difficult, and three times is brilliant. I think that these guys have made an extraordinary effort and they have to be congratulated." Del Bosque sums up the achievement of his players.

Italy Loose the Final of UEFA Euro Cup 2012

Fatigue and injuries took their toll on Italy in their final loss to Spain but Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Daniele De Rossi were proud in defeat.

Italy's defence had impressed in previous knockout ties against England and Germany but tiredness and muscle strains – Giorgio Chiellini went off in the first half and Thiago Motta in the second shortly after coming on to leave the Azzurri with ten men – told as Spain ran out 4-0 winners. Though beaten, Italy's players were unbowed as they reflected on their run and hopes for the future.

Gianluigi Buffon, Italy captain
It's ended badly because we faced a great team who deserved to win. Sometimes in life you need to be able to accept defeat and compliment opponents who were better. They have a lot of players who are accustomed to playing certain types of games, important games like the final of a European Championship. I think at the start we paid for this because we were not the same Italy as we have been. We have nothing to complain about. Spain were the better team and we congratulate them.

Daniele De Rossi, Italy midfielder
I think Spain are better than everybody: in ten games against them you will lose seven or eight. If you win or draw it means everything went for your side. In Gdansk [drawing 1-1 in the group stage] I think we could have beaten them and nobody could have said we did not deserve it. Tonight we did not manage to cause them any problems them.

We were up against a very strong side and were not 100%; we were very tired. Ahead of the game we were sure we could beat them but we never hurt them. Then the game was over after 60 minutes: you cannot give anything to a team like Spain, facing them a man down is really too much to ask. We could have avoided the last two goals but it would not have changed much.

Giorgio Chiellini, Italy defender
We're sorry because we hoped to win and end the tournament in another way. We were tired, very tired, and the injuries show that. Some of our players on the pitch could hardly walk. In the end we have to congratulate Spain. They deserved to win and tonight they proved to be better than us.

When Thiago Motta got injured we were down to ten men but they'd almost closed the game out in the first 60 minutes with their ball possession. Then in the last half-hour they exploded, thanks in part to having more players. Everyone's sad about the loss, but it can't erase a tournament in which we played well and we dreamt with millions of Italians. In my opinion that has to be the starting point for our future.

Leonardo Bonucci, Italy defender
It's hard, because we believed we could do it. If we had succeeded in bringing onto the pitch what has been our trademark here – our desire to pass the ball around and create openings – for sure we would have been here talking about another kind of result. But they deserved to win and we give them credit. Once again Spain have shown that they are one or two steps above anyone else.

I think that today in general we were unlucky in everything: from the goals we conceded to the players we lost to injury. It was just a negative night. We'll take away the experience we've gained in this tournament, which has been positive, because we had the desire to play football. From here we need to start again.

Spain Stars Target yet More Success - UEFA Final Review

Jordi Alba was delighted to join in on Spain's unprecedented series of titles, while Cesc Fàbregas and Álvaro Arbeloa want yet more glory following La Roja's UEFA EURO 2012 final win.

Spain successfully defended their UEFA European Championship crown, but it was a first senior international title for final goalscorer Jordi Alba and the left-back said the achievement was only just "sinking in". La Roja may have now won the last three major tournaments, but Alba's fellow defender Álvaro Arbeloa is looking forward to continued success following the 4-0 win against Italy that secured the Henri Delaunay Cup for the third time.

Jordi Alba, Spain defender
It's my first EURO. They had made history before, and now I am also going to make history with them. I'm very happy. I still can't believe it. But little by little it's sinking in. We will now celebrate with the squad. It has been a very good EURO. And regarding scoring a goal: the people in [my hometown] L'Hospitalet, family and friends told me that I was going to score and, eventually, I did.

Talking about my move to Barcelona, I am very happy. [€14m] is an agreement between two clubs, between Valencia and Barcelona, and that's what [the amount] is. And honestly, everything has been going well, and I am very happy about everything that is happening to me. [Now I'm thinking] about the people from L'Hospitalet, who have supported me very much; my family, my friends, my grandparents – all the people who always support me.

Álvaro Arbeloa, Spain defender
It makes me feel proud. We've achieved something that nobody has achieved before, and that shows how difficult it is, right? We were lucky in scoring with our first chance, and we then felt very good after opening the scoring. We played a wonderful match against a team that have played a very good tournament, and deserved to be in the final.

I'm very happy about the course of the tournament, really a tournament to enjoy. We did a really good job, all 23 players, and we are more than happy. I dedicate it above all to my family, who have always supported me, because without them I wouldn't be here. And [I think] about all the people who have always supported me.

We want to continue winning. We know it's getting more and more difficult, but we don't want to stop.

Cesc Fàbregas, Spain midfielder
I am very happy. The truth is that everything started very well when we won EURO 2008. At that time we didn't think we would win before the tournament. now it's turned out that we have won three tournaments in a row. It is incredible. I am speechless. I don't have words to express what we feel. I hope it continues, as we are a young squad.

The mental side, and the confidence, have changed. The group has also changed. We are a very hard-working team, very humble and disciplined. There are never any problems, people are very responsible and no one is ever late. The truth is that it's the small things that make us a fantastic group.

I worked hard to support the team during a long tournament. Also, I thank the team for the trust they placed in me. They know that I did not play as a forward when I was young, but they believed in me, and I am very proud that I could help this team in the last three tournaments.

I dedicate it to all the people that have passed away recently, as you may read on my shirt, to Miki [Roqué], Manolo [Preciado], [Daniel] Jarque and [Antonio] Puerta. It is a very special day for them as well, for their families and friends. I hope they had a great time, we thought of them a lot and I am sure that those who are above are very happy for us.

Sadness on the Faces - Italia Loose UEFA Final

Italy cast aside their reputation for defensive football for a game rich in creativity, guile and excitement at UEFA EURO 2012, winning friends along the way if ultimately not the final.

They say that no one remembers the losing finalists but the football played by Cesare Prandelli's progressive side at UEFA EURO 2012 will live long in the memory as Italy cast aside their reputation for defensive football for a game rich in creativity, guile and excitement.

In a nutshell
Prandelli's charges came through a baptism of fire in their opening match against Spain but that 1-1 draw against the world and European champions was the platform upon which the remainder of their campaign was built. Inspired by their outstanding architect-in-chief Andrea Pirlo, the Azzurri improved game by game, entertaining the neutral in the process with their expansive brand of attractive football. Italy created chances galore, but for all their wonderful approach play Croatia, the Republic of Ireland, England and Germany were never put completely out of sight. The four-time world champions eventually met their match in Spain.

High point
Although the draw with Spain and the penalty shoot-out victory against England were both successful tests of character, the superlative semi-final success against Germany was the high point. Joachim Löw's side had been lauded for their attacking prowess and installed as favorites, yet after weathering the early storm it was Italy who emerged triumphant. The peerless Pirlo again pulled the strings in midfield, the 'blocco Juve' defended the Azzurri goal defiantly and Mario Balotelli came good with two exceptional strikes. The only blot on the copybook was Federico Balzaretti's handball that gave Germany a last-minute lifeline from the penalty spot but the late tension only served to make this team's victory taste all the sweeter.

Key man
Pirlo was Italy's creative force at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and his influence remains as strong as ever. Throughout the tournament he pulled the strings from midfield with his extensive range of passing, a trademark free-kick against Croatia and his 'Panenka' penalty in the shoot-out against England. He won three Carlsberg Man of the Match awards and, as Cesare Prandelli said: "He is one of the best midfielders in the world. Others may get forward and score more but the consistency he shows over 90 minutes is extraordinary."

Hope for the future
Headlines followed Balotelli in the Italian, English and Polish newspapers before and throughout UEFA EURO 2012 and they will doubtless do so long after he has left. Goalless in his opening two matches, the 21-year-old responded to being dropped for the final group match with a goal that sealed victory against the Republic of Ireland. Although he missed several chances in the quarter-final against England, his two unstoppable goals did for Germany and SuperMario's pace, power and unpredictability will make him a mainstay of the national team for years to come.

Vital statistic
15 – the number of competitive matches unbeaten under Prandelli, until the UEFA EURO 2012 final. For all the talk of their attacking verve, the Azzurri are a very hard side to beat. It took Spain two attempts to lower their colours.

Final word
"As long as we play football we are a good side. So long as we try to take supremacy in midfield we are a good side, but if we try to protect a result we become a side with a thousand fears. I have to compliment my team because they really played an excellent tournament."
Coach Prandelli sings the praises of his Azzurri squad.

Torres and Mata's Joy for Club and Country - Spanish Victory in UEFA

Fernando Torres and Juan Mata both came on to score in Spain's defeat of Italy and join a select group to have played in European Cup and EURO final wins in the same season.

Spain's UEFA EURO 2012 final defeat of Italy means Fernando Torres and Juan Mata have joined a select group of players to have played in European Champion Clubs' Cup and UEFA European Championship final victories in the same season.

The pair both featured in Chelsea FC's UEFA Champions League triumph against FC Bayern München in May and followed that up by collecting another winners' medal in Kyiv tonight. As in Munich, Torres came on as a second-half substitute in the final, but still had time to become the first player to score in two EURO finals as he struck the third in a 4-0 win.

Torres was also Spain's top scorer in Poland and Ukraine, registering three goals. "I have won my first titles at club level this season, the FA Cup and the Champions League," the 28-year-old said. "Now I have this EURO as well, which is beyond anything we could have imagined."

Mata came on in 87th minute and scored the fourth a minute later – the perfect way to mark his only participation in the tournament. The pair's success means three Spaniards have now achieved the feat, Luis Suárez having lifted the UEFA European Championship in 1964 shortly after helping FC Internazionale Milano to overcome Real Madrid CF in the European Cup final.

Twenty-four years later, the Netherlands triumphed, with Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Barry van Aerle and Gerald Vanenburg all in their victorious side in the final against the USSR in Munich. The triumph marked a double celebration for the quartet, who were fresh from helping PSV Eindhoven to European Cup glory against SL Benfica.

Wim Kieft was a European Cup winner with PSV and an unused substitute in the Netherlands' EURO triumph, while Nicolas Anelka went through the same experience with France in 2000 after appearing in Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League final triumph. Anelka's Madrid team-mate Christian Karembeu holds the unique position of being an unused substitute in European Cup and UEFA European Championship final triumphs in the same year.

Ten players have played in European Cup final victories and EURO final defeats in the same year: Sepp Maier, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer and Uli Hoeness (1976, Bayern München and West Germany) and Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Maniche, Deco and Paulo Ferreira (2004, FC Porto and Portugal).

Spain Join Germany Atop the EURO Podium

Having become the first team to successfully defend the UEFA European Championship, Spain have joined Germany as the only three-time winners of the continent's greatest prize.

Spain's class of 2012 have etched their country's name on to the Henri Delaunay Cup for a third time with their record 4-0 victory against Italy in Kyiv.

Vicente del Bosque's men won the 14th edition of the UEFA European Championship at the Olympic Stadium, denying their opponents a second title in the process. Spain were previously crowned European champions on home soil in 1964 and in Austria/Switzerland four years ago and they now join Germany (1972 and 1980 as West Germany, 1996) as the only country with three titles.

France (1984, 2000) have claimed the cup twice; the Soviet Union (1960), Italy (1968), Czechoslovakia (1976), Netherlands (1988), Denmark (1992) and Greece (2004) complete the nine-strong list of former winners.

UEFA European Championship finals

01/07/2012 Spain 4-0 Italy – Kyiv
29/06/2008 Germany 0-1 Spain – Vienna
04/07/2004 Portugal 0-1 Greece – Lisbon
02/07/2000 France 2-1 Italy (aet) – Rotterdam
30/06/1996 Czech Republic 1-2 Germany (aet) – London
26/06/1992 Denmark 2-0 Germany – Gothenburg
25/06/1988 USSR 0-2 Netherlands – Munich
27/06/1984 France 2-0 Spain – Paris
22/06/1980 Belgium 1-2 West Germany – Rome
20/06/1976 Czechoslovakia 2-2 West Germany (aet, 5-3 pens) – Belgrade
18/06/1972 West Germany 3-0 USSR – Brussels
08/06/1968 Italy 1-1 Yugoslavia (aet) – Rome
10/06/1968 Italy 2-0 Yugoslavia (replay) – Rome
21/06/1964 Spain 2-1 USSR – Madrid
10/07/1960 USSR 2-1 Yugoslavia (aet) – Paris

Del Bosque's Spain won UEFA Champions League 2012

Vicente del Bosque spoke of a "great era for Spanish football" after his side retained the Henri Delaunay Cup with an emphatic win against a tired Italy team whose luck was out.

Vicente del Bosque became the first coach to complete the hat-trick of UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship on Sunday but he refused to linger on personal achievements.

"This is a great era for Spanish football," said Del Bosque, who paid tribute to his players after an "extraordinary" performance but also praised opponents Italy, a side he said had everything but luck. His counterpart Cesare Prandelli, looking as tired as his players, admitted he would have "pangs of disappointment" departing Ukraine, but he leaves satisfied with a tournament where his Azzurri squad warranted an 8/10 mark.

Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach
Before I start to analyse anything I'd like to say that everyone loses sometimes. Italy had a great tournament but had that injury with Thiago Motta [which left them to play the last 28 minutes with ten men] and the game effectively ended then. We played well, got the first goal and though Italy responded well we reacted and got a second. Our success is historic but we have to begin looking to the future and qualifying for Brazil.

This is a great generation of players. They have roots and know how to play because they come from a country that knows how to. We have a great bunch of lads, some playing abroad – they never used to. This is a great era for Spanish football. After Vienna [and the UEFA EURO 2008 final] Luis Aragonés, the then coach, showed us the way, the direction to go. But there are challenges ahead with World Cup qualification,and then the Confederations Cup where, representing Europe, we want to do well.

We had an extraordinary match but don't underestimate Italy – they just had no luck. Everything went our way tonight. Italy had one fewer player, one less day of rest and they tried throughout but couldn't get into the game. We played our own game and were faithful to what we've done over the years. I have spoken to the King [Juan Carlos] and his son and they told us they will see us tomorrow. This is a great time for all the Spanish people.

Cesare Prandelli, Italy coach
Our only regret is that we were so tired. We were up against a great side, the world champions, and as soon as we went down to ten men it was game over. We had a couple of chances at the start of the second half but didn't take them and when Thiago Motta went off we had nothing left in the tank. When we did attack, we struggled to get back to cover.

I think we've had a terrific European Championship and our only regret is that we didn't have a few more days to rest before this game. We played against Spain in the group stage and I thought we were excellent then – because we were 100% fit. Against a team like Spain you need to be at your best, going into tackles, and tonight we simply weren't. You have to pay credit to Spain. They have made history tonight and deservedly so. They may not play with a recognised striker but they still cause a hell of a lot of problems.

I'd give us an eight out of ten for the tournament. We had a difficult group and played some good games; we just struggled to recover our fitness. Italy have shown terrific team spirit, they've shown you can play attacking football, they've shown you don't have to kick people, they've shown you can lose with dignity and that they can react to hard situations.

You can never be happy after defeat; you always want to win. But the longer the game went on the more I came to reflect on how well we've played. When we fly over Kyiv and see the stadium lights I will have pangs of disappointment but I leave proud.

Spain Won the UEFA Euro Cup 2012 Final Against Italy

UEFA Euro Cup Final Result: Spain 4-0 Italy
Vicente del Bosque's side saved their best until last at UEFA EURO 2012 as they overwhelmed an Italy outfit that ran out of steam.

Spain saved their best until last at UEFA EURO 2012, a final-record 4-0 victory in Kyiv completing an unprecedented hat-trick of major tournament wins.

Against a flagging Italy side whose thrilling knockout campaign looked to have caught up with them, Spain were in control from the moment David Silva broke the deadlock with a rare header on 14 minutes. A barnstorming second with half-time approaching from the indefatigable Jordi Alba, his first international goal, left the Azzurri with a mountain to climb. The sight of Thiago Motta, their third substitute, being carried off on a stretcher ended all hope, leaving Italy to play out the last 28 minutes with ten men – and Spain replacements Fernando Torres and Juan Mata fully capitalized.

This was billed as a meeting of great creative minds, of conductors in their prime, of Xavi Hernández against Andrea Pirlo; but for much of the opening stages it was a one-man show. Spain's No8 picked up the baton from the off, in harmony with Andrés Iniesta, dictating La Roja's now familiar staccato movement as Italy were forced deeper and deeper. The olés had already begun among the sizeable Spanish contingent in the 63,170 crowd when, just before the quarter-hour, the pair combined to such devastating effect.

Xavi, who had fired just over moments earlier, fed Iniesta and his finely weighted ball allowed Cesc Fàbregas to easily outstrip Giorgio Chiellini on the inside-right channel. There was still plenty to do but how easily Spain made it look as Fàbregas pulled a sharp ball back for Silva, all 170cm of him, to glance his header in. It proved a disappointed Chiellini's last real action as he soon succumbed to the thigh problem that has hampered him throughout his time in Poland and Ukraine.

A heavy-legged Italy could ill afford the double blow, but impressively they fought their way back into it. Pirlo, inevitably, was their driving force, the beating drum that pulled the strings at the back and sounded the horn to attack. Not that there was much of that. In fact, Pirlo's most telling contribution of the first half was a superb last-ditch block on Iniesta. Yet try as he might – and he did try – the 33-year-old could not be everywhere.

Spain's second was a little too easy, though. Standing on the touch line near halfway, Fàbregas headed Iker Casillas's clearance to Alba who turned the ball into Xavi before haring forward. The Azzurri back line did not seem to notice but the erudite Xavi did, advancing forward before slotting his new FC Barcelona club-mate in. The composed left-footed finish that followed would have pleased even David Villa, watching in the stands with Carles Puyol.

It seemed nothing could now deny Spain a first competitive victory against the Azzurri in 92 years – at least over 90 minutes – but Italy were not done yet. Antonio Di Natale, scorer in the 1-1 draw between these sides three weeks ago, came on for Antonio Cassano and within six minutes he could have scored twice. His first chance, a header, was far from simple but the striker could have done better when Riccardo Montolivo's pass found him in space. He snatched at the chance, though, and the advancing Casillas blocked.

Yet Italy's slender hopes of mounting a comeback disappeared when Thiago Motta did likewise down the tunnel. It was left for Xavi to resume his conducting, slowing things down until, with six minutes remaining, he upped the tempo for a rousing crescendo. First he robbed Pirlo in midfield and set up Torres for a goal to add to his UEFA EURO 2008 showpiece effort – a feat no one has managed before – then he combined with Torres to release Mata, just on, to set seal on an emphatic win. It has been an emphatic four years.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Italy's Final Pedigree - With the Memories of Past

They lucked it a bit in 1968 and were sunk by a late goal in 2000; Pietro Anastasi, Paolo Maldini and Dino Zoff look back at Italy's past UEFA European Championship finals.

Italy are playing in their third UEFA European Championship against Spain, having won the 1968 competition following a replay after famously getting through the semi-finals on the toss of a coin. However, as coach Dino Zoff recalls, their luck ran out in 2000, when a late lapse in Rotterdam cost them victory against France, as they succumbed to David Trezeguet's golden goal in extra time.

08/06/1968 Italy 1-1 Yugoslavia (aet) (Rome)
10/06/1968 Italy 2-0 Yugoslavia (Rome)

Pietro Anastasi: In the first final, Yugoslavia played better than us, and they deserved to have got to the final more than us, but they were 1-0 up when, ten minutes from the end, we had that bit of good luck that you need. Dominghini took a free-kick from just outside the box, their defensive wall opened up, the ball went through the wall and it finished 1-1. Then after two days there was this replay, the second final.

We can say that we played well in the second final. I would not say that we were dominant but we did not steal anything. If Yugoslavia deserved to win the first match, the second was a hard-fought game, but I think we won it on merit, with the first goal scored by Riva and then the second one which I scored myself.

To this day, I don't understand how I managed to score it. Well you can imagine, a 20-year-old boy who is playing his first international games, and then in the second final to manage to make it 2-0, and score the peace-of-mind goal. I saw this ball in the air, I did this half turn, I shot and I was lucky enough to put it in the right corner and I went crazy, jumping like a camel, a kangaroo rather. It was… I don't know how to say... at 20 you think about so many things. It was amazing.

02/07/2000 France 2-1 Italy (Rotterdam)

Dino Zoff: Toldo made some fairly good saves. They didn't cause us any trouble – unfortunately! – right up until the 93rd minute. When they scored from Barthez's long ball, touched by Cannavaro then by Henry and Wiltord, that was fate. On the pitch, from a technical point of view, they didn't give us any particular headaches. Unfortunately, we didn't have the strength to respond. I was trying to encourage them before extra time, but the blow was so big.

In that 20 seconds at the end of the game, we just lacked something, but that's probably just fate. We had been lucky against the Netherlands [winning the semi-final on penalties after a goalless draw]. I am a realist, but they cannot come and tell me that France did anything extraordinary. It was just France's moment.

Paolo Maldini: We had a great time at those finals. We formed a very compact group and things worked out well until very close to the end. Thirty seconds before the end of that final, we were champions of Europe. We had four good chances to clinch the win. However, we were up against a team that didn't give up and they managed to pull level in the last 30 seconds of the game.

We immediately realized we'd lost the game. We'd played an extremely tough semi-final against the Netherlands and had one fewer day to recover than France. So, psychologically, everything was in their favour. I would say that goal counted as double. It was an equalizer, but at the same time it was the winning goal. During the interval between normal time and the start of extra time, we told each other we had to pick ourselves up and win the final. But they were just words because I think that, deep inside, we knew the equalizer had been a crucial psychological blow.

It doesn't sound very nice to put it that way, but it's the truth. We were very tired and some of the players had started getting cramp. It was the result of all the tension, because during the rest of the match we'd been very strong as we were convinced we were going to win.

Euro Cup Closing Ceremony Set to Thrill with German Singer Oceana

Sunday's UEFA EURO 2012 closing ceremony in Kyiv will bring a memorable tournament to a spectacular climax ahead of the eagerly-awaited final between Spain and Italy.

Kyiv's Olympic Stadium will host the UEFA EURO 2012 closing ceremony on Sunday, an unforgettable curtain-raiser to the final between Spain and Italy.

Inspired by football, the 16 participating teams and the tournament's values, the 12-minute show will be presented shortly before kick-off, and will feature more than 600 volunteer performers. The concept has been created to celebrate the end of a historical event - the first UEFA European Championship staged in central and eastern Europe. It will also promote the participating nations together with key competition values: unity, rivalry and passion.

Both the opening and closing ceremonies were devised by Marco Balich, the president of Filmmaster Events, along with artistic director Lida Castelli and show director Bryn Walters. Balich has designed many international events, including the 2002 Olympic flag handover in Salt Lake City, the 2006 Olympic ceremonies in Turin and the Carnival of Venice.

The official tournament song, Endless Summer, will be performed live by German singer Oceana. The UEFA EURO 2012 hit is the first single from Oceana's outstanding new studio album, recorded in London, New York and Berlin with producers including Rob Davis (Kylie Minogue) and Blair McKichan (Lily Allen).

The national anthems of both finalists will be presented by Tamara Khodakova and Mykhailo Humenniy – soloists from the Kyiv Municipal Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, under the leadership of Anzhela Maslennikova.

A total of 150 million viewers are expected to watch the UEFA EURO 2012 final live.

UEFA EURO Cup Final Facts and Figures

In the key statistics ahead of Sunday's UEFA EURO 2012 final, UEFA.com flags up three occasions where finalists have met earlier in the tournament, and has worrying omens for Spain.

With the final of UEFA EURO 2012 offering an intriguing rematch of the opening Group C meeting between Spain and Italy, UEFA.com rounds up all the key statistics from UEFA European Championship showpieces, including some worrying omens for the holders, the likelihood of extra time and the significance of being in front at the break.

0: Number of sides to have retained the Henri Delaunay Cup. The Soviet Union (1960, 1964) and West Germany (1972, 1976) returned to the final as holders only to lose.

0: No player has appeared in two victorious finals – Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Cesc Fàbregas, David Silva and Fernando Torres all started Spain's 2008 triumph, with Xabi Alonso and Santi Cazorla coming on as substitutes. Rainer Bonhof twice picked up a winners' medal with West Germany (1972, 1980) but did not play in either tournament.

13: Thirteen players have appeared in two finals: Valentin Ivanov, Viktor Ponedelnik, Lev Yashin (Soviet Union, 1960 winners, 1964 runners-up); Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoeness, Sepp Maier, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Herbert Wimmer (West Germany, 1972 winners, 1976 runners-up), Bernard Dietz (West Germany, 1976 runners-up, 1980 winners), Thomas Hässler, Thomas Helmer, Jürgen Klinsmann and Matthias Sammer (Germany, 1992 runners-up, 1996 winners).

3: Three teams have held the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup at the same time. West Germany won the European title in 1972 and added the world crown two years later, while France claimed the 1998 World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000 and Spain triumphed at UEFA EURO 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. No team has won three major tournaments in a row; West Germany were within a shoot-out of achieving the feat before their 1976 loss to Czechoslovakia.

15: A total of 15 players appeared in both those finals: for West Germany, Sepp Maier, Franz Beckenbauer, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Paul Breitner, Uli Hoeness and Gerd Müller, while Fabien Barthez, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu, Lilian Thuram, Didier Deschamps, Youri Djorkaeff, Patrick Vieira, Zinédine Zidane and Christophe Dugarry also achieved the feat for France.

9: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Cesc Fàbregas, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres played in Spain's 2008 EURO final win and the 2010 World Cup success.

27: Italy's Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and substitute Daniele De Rossi could join a select group to have appeared in World Cup and UEFA European Championship final victories. In addition to the 24 players mentioned above, Dino Zoff (Italy 1968, 1982) and Germany pair Thomas Hässler and Jürgen Klinsmann (1990, 1996) also featured in both final triumphs.

5: Finals to have gone to extra time:
1960: USSR 2-1 Yugoslavia
1968: Italy 1-1 Yugoslavia (replay 2-0)
1976: Czechoslovakia 2-2 West Germany (5-3 pens)
1996: Czech Republic 1-2 Germany (golden goal)
2000: France 2-1 Italy (golden goal)

1: That 1976 game between Czechoslovakia and West Germany was the first penalty shoot-out in UEFA European Championship finals history and remains the only one in a final. Antonín Panenka settled the contest, his memorable chip giving the Czechoslovakians a 5-3 victory.

1: A one-goal margin of victory is the most common outcome in the final, seven teams having won by a single goal since the tournament started in 1960, most recently Spain in 2008. That 1-0 win was the second in succession by that scoreline in the EURO showpiece following Greece's 2004 triumph against Portugal – previous teams to prevail by one goal had all triumphed 2-1.

2-0: Four teams have won 2-0 in a EURO final – Denmark (1992), the Netherlands (1988), France (1984) and Italy (1968 replay).

3-0: West Germany's 3-0 win against the Soviet Union in 1972 remains the largest margin of victory in a EURO final.

3: Teams have come from behind to win a final only three times, most recently France against Italy in 2000. Germany also achieved the feat against the Czech Republic in 1996, as did the USSR in the first final against Yugoslavia in 1960. Eight years later, Italy came from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia and won the subsequent replay 2-0.

8: Of the eight teams who have held a half-time lead in the UEFA European Championship final, all bar two have gone on to win. Spain (2008), Denmark (1992), Netherlands (1988), West Germany (1980), Czechoslovakia (1976) and West Germany (1972) all ultimately lifted the trophy, but in the first final in 1960, Yugoslavia's 1-0 lead at the interval was turned into a 2-1 defeat against the Soviet Union, while eight years later Italy cancelled out Yugoslavia's 1-0 half-time advantage lead to draw 1-1 and won the replay.

4: This will be the fourth time teams who have already played in a UEFA European Championship meet again in the final, all at eight-year intervals. In 1988 the Netherlands opened with a 1-0 loss to the USSR but recovered to reach the final, where they beat the same opponents 2-0; eight years later Germany overcame the Czech Republic 2-0 in the group stage and 2-1 in the final and in 2004 Greece were 2-1 winners against Portugal on the opening day and defeated the hosts again in the final, 1-0.

36: Of the 36 goals scored in finals, 14 have been scored in the first half and 19 in the second, with the remaining three coming in extra time.

6: Spain's Jesús Pereda scored the fastest goal in a EURO final, breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute of the 1964 showpiece. Galimzian Khusainov levelled two minutes later, the second fastest goal in a final.

2: This is the first UEFA European Championship final where both goalkeepers – Buffon and Casillas – have been captains. In the 1934 World Cup final, Gianpiero Combi (Italy) and František Plánička (Czechoslovakia) skippered their teams.

5: Spain's Chelsea FC pair Fernando Torres and Juan Mata could join a small group of players to have appeared in European Cup and UEFA European Championship final victories in the same year. Luis Suárez achieved the feat with FC Internazionale Milano and Spain in 1964, while in 1988 PSV Eindhoven quartet Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Barry van Aerle and Gerald Vanenburg were all in the succcessful Netherlands side.

Wim Kieft was a Champion Clubs' Cup finalist with PSV in 1988 and an unused substitute in the Netherlands' European triumph, while Nicolas Anelka was similarly thwarted with France in 2000 after appearing in Real Madrid CF's UEFA Champions League final. Anelka's Madrid team-mate Christian Karembeu holds the unique position of being an unused substitute in European Cup and UEFA European Championship final triumphs in the same year.

10: In contrast, ten players have played in European Cup final victories and EURO final defeats in the same year: Sepp Maier, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer and Uli Hoeness (1976, FC Bayern München and West Germany) and Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Maniche, Deco and Paulo Ferreira (2004, FC Porto and Portugal).

1: Should Spain triumph in Kyiv, Vicente Del Bosque would become only the second coach to lift UEFA European Championship and World Cup; Helmut Schön guided West Germany to European glory in 1972 and World Cup success two years later. His team also finished runners-up in the 1966 World Cup and 1976 European Championship.

Pereda's Memories of Spain's First Triumph - UEFA EURO 2012 final in Kyiv

In an interview with UEFA.com before his death, former FC Barcelona forward Jesús María Pereda recalled Spain's maiden UEFA European Championship win in 1964, a triumph for team spirit.

Four years ago Spain went into UEFA EURO 2008 as perennial underachievers, a side that consistently added up to less than the sum of their parts – how things change. La Roja triumphed masterfully in Austria and Switzerland, added the 2010 FIFA World Cup and on Sunday they will attempt to become the first side to win three successive major titles when they meet Italy in the UEFA EURO 2012 final in Kyiv.

The 44 years of frustration Spain endured after capturing the European title on home soil in 1964 seems a world away, but it was that success that started it all. In an interview prior to his death in September last year, Jesús María Pereda, the FC Barcelona forward, recalled a "dream come true". He described coach José Villalonga's unorthodox approach to the final against the Soviet Union and how the team spirit united a nation.

What do you remember about the 1964 UEFA European Championship?

Chus Pereda: I have a lot of memories. The final was against the Soviet Union at Santiago Bernabéu. It was an impressive event and the whole of Spain was united. We congregated at a training camp about 50km outside Madrid and devised our game plan. Our coach José Villalonga mapped out a football pitch in the sand and used stones to represent us – and pine cones to represent the Soviet Union. He convinced us that stones were stronger than pine cones and that we were therefore going to win.

Luckily, we scored first. Luisito Suárez broke down the right and centred. The two Soviet 'towers' went up for the header. The first one missed it and collided with a team-mate. The ball came to me and my shot was so powerful it made me fall over. A quarter of an hour or so later, they equalised. Then, when there were seven or eight minutes left, I set up Marcelino who scored with a diving header. It was incredible. We spent all night celebrating and dancing.

How did you feel coming up against Lev Yashin?

Pereda: It was strange because he had this aura of being superhuman but he was a nice man like anybody else. His positioning was impeccable and he was an imposing figure. He was invited to Barcelona a while later and I showed him round. He was really nice. And then I met him when I was coaching at the World Cup.

Which team was better – the 1960 side or the '64 one?

Pereda: I don't think the team from 1964 was better. The 1960 side with [Alfredo] Di Stéfano and [László] Kubala had more talent, but it's not the names that count in football, it's the team. We were a good unit and had Luisito Suárez to conduct the 'orchestra'. Then we had great players like Amancio Amaro and Marcelino, who was a natural goalscorer. We also had [Ignacio] Zoco, [Josep Maria] Fusté, [Feliciano] Rivilla, [Fernando] Olivella, [Isacio] Calleja and a young goalkeeper called José Ángel Iribar. We were all on form and the task of the coach was to assemble these players and ensure they worked well as a unit.

What about the antagonism between players from Real Madrid and Barcelona?

Pereda: We were friends, along with those from Zaragoza, Athletic and Atlético. Seven of the team were either from Real Madrid or Barcelona. We got on very well and we formed a national team that lived and played like brothers.

But what was it like for a Barcelona player to take part in a final at Santiago Bernabéu?

Pereda: Exciting. I had played for Real Madrid when I was 18 alongside Di Stéfano, [Ferenc] Puskas, [Francisco] Gento and so on. But even I was impressed by the sight of the stadium, which was absolutely packed with people chanting 'España, España'. To be champions of Europe in an atmosphere like that was really a dream come true.

Rivera reflects On Italy's 1968 Triumph

Italy won the UEFA European Championship for the first, and so far only, time in 1968 as hosts. In this interview with UEFA.com, Gianni Rivera reflects on being part of that squad.

Italy have enjoyed their fair share of FIFA World Cup success, but they have often fallen short in the UEFA European Championship – apart from 1968, that is. As Cesare Prandelli's side aim to etch the Azzurri's name onto the Henri Delaunay Cup for a second time, Gianni Rivera reflects on that competition on home soil 44 years ago and admits to mixed emotions.

Having appeared in the goalless semi-final against the USSR – which was subsequently decided in the Azzurri's favour by a coin toss – the AC Milan playmaker was denied a place in the UEFA European Championship showpiece by injury, meaning he had to watch on as his team-mates defeated Yugoslavia in a replay.

"I couldn't play in the final, but I played in all the other matches before," said Rivera, who received the UEFA President's Award for 2011 earlier this year. "You can feel such a match has the same intensity from the stands. It showed that all the players are important and that also you can occasionally do it without your best players. That's very significant, because that means that the team works as a unit."

Italy did just that to recover from a goal down in the Rome final and force a replay thanks to Angelo Domenghini's free-kick with ten minutes remaining. The hosts' 2-0 victory two days later, which Rivera again missed, gave the midfielder his only silverware of a 12-year international career.

"The national team was something very special for me," Rivera, a World Cup runner-up in Mexico in 1970, added. "For us it was fundamental to make it into the national team. It was the completion of something significant having played at club level – it's nice recognition."

Schmeichel Recalls EURO Glory - Euro Cup Memories

A UEFA European Championship winner in 1992, former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel sits down with UEFA.com to answer users' tweets about his career and his triumphs.

With Europe's highest honors to his name, including UEFA European Championship and UEFA Champions League winners' medals, former Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel is more than qualified to take your tweets in the latest of UEFA.com's #Ask sessions. The Great Dane talks about his country's triumph in 1992, Andrea Pirlo's penalty, and today's current crop of goalkeepers.

@James_Isherwood: What inspired Denmark to win EURO 92?

Peter Schmeichel: As a starting point we were a good team and, we knew we could play. So once we got the opportunity [following the disqualification of Yugoslavia] we knew it was not just us we were playing for, we were playing for the people of Yugoslavia as well. We knew we were a good team, we had a lot of inspiration from that, and we did not want to embarrass ourselves which was also an inspiration.

@refokarlo26: What do you think about Denmark's performance at EURO 2012?

Schmeichel: We did well. I actually think we did better than anyone expected us to do. We were in a tough group. Germany and Portugal got to the semis and Holland were eliminated at the same time as us. So I do not think in anyway that we embarrassed ourselves. You will not meet any disappointed Danes. There were some players that broke through, like Tobias Mikkelsen, and some of the old heads also played well.

@Lucozade_Footy: If you could play one match again, which would it be?

Schmeichel: 18 November, yes I know the date, 1993. Spain against Denmark. We needed a draw to qualify for the World Cup. We were 11 men against ten for 89 minutes but could not score and they scored a goal and won the game. The goal was a free-kick and the reason I remember the date so well is that it was my 30th birthday. So I would like to play that again if I had the chance.

@SaifulHamdi: As a goalkeeper, what did you think of Pirlo's penalty?

Schmeichel: He is a world class-player, only a world-class player does that, but it is risky. I remember being at Old Trafford for the Champions League final between AC Milan and Juventus and [Andriy] Shevchenko did the same but he missed. So it looks good when it comes off but it looks very, very silly if you miss it. I have seen Pirlo's explanation and it makes perfect sense. Joe Hart was trying to get to the corners, and if you pick the wrong side, you might miss it so down the middle is sometimes the safest place.

@Bookof_Matthew: How did you prepare yourself for a match on gameday?

Schmeichel: I always had the same routine, always did the same thing. I always watched the same TV programs on Friday night. You always stick to the same routine, but I would not call them rituals. When I was younger I had a million rituals, I had to do them, and I was really scared if I missed one. Then I had the perfect situation to get rid of all of them; we were five games from the end of the season, and needed to win one more game. We had not lost a single game all season, and were playing a game against the team that would be relegated, at home. So I decided not to do anything of what I was used to doing. I did everything the opposite way, and got rid of all of it. We won the game. We became champions that day.

@SebSegarra: What is the best team (club or country) you have ever played against? And who was the best striker you faced?

Schmeichel: We played France in 1998, in France at the World Cup. We lost 2-1, I'm just thinking that team was really good. They went on to become world champions and then again won the EUROs two years later. Fortunately I have played against the best forwards in the world. I cannot pick anyone, I just cannot. I have played against so many great strikers, and all were a big challenge.

@Mohamed_0sama: Who is the defender you felt most safe and comfortable playing with?

Schmeichel: Great question, by the way. I only played with Jaap Stam for one year, but he was awesome. That year we won the treble as well. I have to say my breakthrough at club level was behind Brucey [Steve Bruce] and Pallister [Gary Pallister]. Myself, Brucey and Pallister is something that people remember, but on balance, Jaap Stam that year was incredible.

@paolavallarino: Do you thinks that being a goalkeeper is more difficult nowadays due to the current scoring capacity of players as opposed to 14 years ago?

Schmeichel: No, I don't think so. When you look at the back-pass law it's the best rule change ever. It has changed the game. It has also given the goalkeepers a new challenge, and it means it is a different breed now. I do not think it has become more difficult; it has just become different. I think certain goalkeepers from my era would probably struggle with the way the game is today but it is like anything, you try to compare teams from ten or 20 years ago and it is impossible. There are more, high quality goalkeepers now. Look at Poland, they had six goalkeepers to pick for their squad. Germany have six or seven. [David] de Gea who plays for Manchester United has not got a sniff at the Spain national team. So I think there are many more top quality keepers than there were maybe 20 years ago.

@aklil_g: What is the best memory of your career?

Schmeichel: Well, it has got to be the day when I was told that Manchester United were looking at me. That was some day, and that was something to be told. You know, ever since I was a small kid I was dreaming about that moment, and, one day it was there.

SuperMario Strikes Awe - Team Italia Euro Cup Updates

Mario Balotelli's career has been overshadowed by his private life, but following a match-winning display against Germany, Richard Aikman feels this bad boy has come good.

For once he is getting the headlines for all the right reasons. "Incredible Balotelli" read today's Corriere dello Sport; "Amazing Balotelli double" said Tuttosport; "Super Balotelli" gushed Gazzetta dello Sport, and the praise is fully justified.

Mario Balotelli famously made the news last October for accidentally setting fire to his house in England while shooting fireworks out of the window. Last night, the Italy striker put on another pyrotechnic display, but this time around here was no collateral damage, save for the bruised egos and broken dreams of the German players, and perhaps the singed hair of Manuel Neuer.

Once SuperMario had lit the blue touchpaper there was no stopping him. His headed opener exploded past Neuer. His second accelerated beyond the German goalkeeper like a rocket after Balotelli had sprung the offside trap, allowing Riccardo Montolivo's ball to fall in front of him before racing into the area to unleash his ferocious strike.

Before the tournament began, the former FC Internazionale Milano man had played just 19 minutes of competitive international football, and his UEFA EURO 2012 campaign did not start that well. After freezing when through on goal against Spain in the opening match and drawing another blank against Croatia, a goal against the Republic of Ireland after coming on as a substitute – he was dropped for his failure to follow orders – was a reminder of his ability.

For all his pace, power and movement against England in the quarter-finals, the goals did not come, but Prandelli was convinced they would eventually – and he was right. "He gave us depth behind the lines and came back when he had to, so he played a great game," said Prandelli after Balotelli double earned the Azzurri a final spot. "Mario is a modern striker. He has great stamina, and can work hard for the side while also getting into the penalty area."

It is never easy to predict what you are going to get from SuperMario: shoulder-shrugging indifference, open confrontation or, like last night, an unplayable force of nature. It cannot be easy for one so young to be carrying the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. He is still only 21, but Balotelli answered Italy's prayers last night. With the Kyiv final looming, the bad boy is within one more firework display of becoming a national treasure.

A Polish Perspective on UEFA EURO 2012

UEFA EURO 2012 has come to an end in Poland and the country can reflect on a fantastic three weeks and a job well done. UEFA.com reviews the tournament from a Polish perspective.

So, as far as Poland is concerned, UEFA EURO 2012 is now at an end. The country has put on a great show with the host cities of Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw throwing themselves into holding 15 top-class matches, a task they achieved with aplomb.

The sights and sounds will stay with those who both made the trip, and the tournament happen, for a long time yet. The Poland national team may have failed to make the quarter-finals, but it did not take the gloss off a superb three weeks. UEFA.com rounds up UEFA EURO 2012 from a Polish perspective in this video review.

Italy and Spain - What Has to be Done in Final

Spain are seeking to become the first country to retain the European title and win a third successive major tournament. Can Italy, orchestrated by Andrea Pirlo, stop them?

So, after 30 matches, UEFA EURO 2012 will conclude in Kyiv on Sunday with a meeting of two teams who went head-to-head in the opening set of group games three weeks ago.

Will Spain become the first nation to retain the Henri Delaunay Cup, and in doing so make history by winning their third successive major tournament, or can Italy match La Roja's record of two continental titles?

Spain have not conceded in 419 minutes – since Antonio Di Natale gave the Azzurri the lead in Gdansk on 10 June – but whether they can shut out the Balotelli-Cassano partnership, which produced the opening goal against semi-final opponents Germany, for a second time remains to be seen.

At the other end, will Vicente del Bosque keep faith with central striker Álvaro Negredo, whom he gave a surprise start to against Portugal, or revert to playing Cesc Fàbregas as a withdrawn forward, flanked by the creative talents of Andrés Iniesta and David Silva? All this is intriguing, and that is before we even consider the battle for midfield supremacy, contested by Andrea Pirlo and Xavi Hernández et al.

What clues can we garner from the sides' Group C draw, a match which Del Bosque described as "quite balanced" and left Cesare Prandelli equally satisfied? That was Italy's third unbeaten game in succession against Spain (classing their UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final, which went to penalties, as a draw). Can the Azzurri extend that run on Sunday or will Spain claim the silverware at the Olympic Stadium? Let us know your thoughts.

Spain and Italy will Roaring Against Each Other - UEFA Euro 2012 Final

Three weeks after they opened their campaigns in Poland and Ukraine with a 1-1 draw in Gdansk, Spain and Italy meet again in the UEFA EURO 2012 final at Kyiv's Olympic Stadium.

Exactly three weeks after they opened their UEFA EURO 2012 finals campaigns with a 1-1 draw in Gdansk, Spain and Italy meet again in Kyiv for the right to be crowned European champions.

• The matchday one draw means Spain have not won a competitive game against Italy since their very first meeting – though they did edge them out on penalties in the quarter-finals four years ago en route to lifting the trophy for the second time. Vicente del Bosque's side could now become the first team to successfully defend the UEFA European Championship. Italy are in the final for the first time in 12 years as they look to claim a second European crown and their first in 44 years.

Head-to-head record
• Spain's record in 30 games against Italy is W8 D12 L10, but seven of those victories have come in friendly games.

• In the teams' 11 competitive fixtures, Spain's record is W1 D5 L5, including a UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final that Spain won on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes but which is classified as a draw. The sole outright Spanish victory, a 2-0 win, came in the sides' first meeting at the 1920 Olympic Games.

• In FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship finals matches, Spain's record against Italy reads W0 D4 L3 – three of those draws and a loss coming in the continental competition.

• Italy inflicted the joint heaviest defeat in Spain's history during the 1928 Olympics, beating them 7-1 in an Amsterdam replay following a 1-1 quarter-final draw. A 7-1 friendly loss against England on 9 December 1931 matched that margin.

• The sides first met at a UEFA European Championship in 1980, playing out a 0-0 draw. Current La Roja coach Vicente del Bosque, capped 18 times, ended his Spain career at the tournament but did not play against Italy.

• At the 1988 finals, Italy beat Spain 1-0 in the second Group 1 game in Frankfurt thanks to Gianluca Vialli's 73rd-minute goal.

• Italy's most recent competitive victory against Spain came in the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals in Boston, Roberto Baggio's 88th-minute effort securing a 2-1 victory.

Selected previous meetings
10 June 2012: Spain 1-1 Italy (Fàbregas 64; Di Natale 61) – Arena Gdansk, Gdansk, UEFA EURO 2012, group stage
Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Piqué, Ramos, Alba, Alonso, Busquets, Xavi, Silva (Navas 64), Fàbregas (Torres 74), Iniesta.
Italy: Buffon, Chiellini, Bonucci, De Rossi, Maggio, Marchisio, Pirlo, Motta (Nocerino 90), Giaccherini, Balotelli (Di Natale 56), Cassano (Giovinco 65).

• Cesc Fàbregas salvaged a draw after Antonio Di Natale's first international goal since June 2010 had put Italy in front.

10 August 2011: Italy 2-1 Spain (Montolivo 11, Aquilani 84; Alonso 37pen) – Stadio San Nicola, Bari, friendly
Italy: Buffon, Chiellini, Criscito, Maggio, Ranocchia (Bonucci 77), De Rossi (Aquilani 65), Motta (Marchiso 46), Montolivo (Nocerino 74), Pirlo, Cassano (Balotelli 59), Rossi (Pazzini 59).
Spain: Casillas (Valdés 46), Arbeloa, Albiol, Piqué (Busquets 45), Iraola (Villa 46), Cazorla (Mata 80), Javi Martínez, Alonso, Iniesta (Thiago 46), Silva, Torres (Llorente 15).

• In the sides' 19th and most recent friendly, Riccardo Montolivo scored his only goal in 36 senior appearances. He managed three U21 goals, including one in Palencia on 10 October 2006 during a 2-1 play-off victory against a Spain side containing Raúl Albiol and David Silva that took Italy into the finals at their hosts' expense.

22 June 2008: Spain 0-0 Italy (aet, Spain won 4-2 on penalties) – Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, UEFA EURO 2008, quarter-finals
Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Iniesta (Cazorla 59), Senna, Xavi (Fàbregas 60), Silva, Torres (Guïza 85), Villa.
Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso, Aquilani (Del Piero 108), De Rossi, Ambrosini, Cassano (Di Natale 75), Perrotta (Camoranesi 58), Toni.

• Roberto Donadoni's Italy were the only side Luis Aragonés's outfit failed to beat at UEFA EURO 2008, though Spain came through on penalties. Iker Casillas saved from Daniele De Rossi and Di Natale, Buffon denying Daniel Guïza. Fàbregas converted the ninth penalty to send Spain into the semi-finals.

Form guide
• The 1-1 draw in Gdansk ended Spain's run of 14 straight competitive victories since they surprisingly lost 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. They are now unbeaten in 19 competitive fixtures.

• Spain embarked on a run of ten straight UEFA European Championship victories after their last meeting with Italy in the 2008 quarter-finals. They have gone 28 games without defeat in this competition since losing 2-0 in Sweden in a UEFA EURO 2008 qualifier on 7 October 2006.

• Spain's last defeat at a EURO was a 1-0 loss to hosts Portugal in the 2004 group stage that ended their interest in the competition.

• Italy last lost a competitive game when they went down 3-2 to Slovakia in their last 2010 World Cup finals match – they have since won ten and drawn five. They have gone 18 games without a UEFA European Championship defeat over 90 minutes since losing 3-0 to the Netherlands in their opening match at UEFA EURO 2008.

• This is the fourth time teams who have already played in a UEFA European Championship meet again in the final. In 1988 the Netherlands opened with a 1-0 loss to the USSR but later beat the same opponents 2-0 to take the trophy; eight years later Germany overcame the Czech Republic 2-0 in the group stage and 2-1 in the final and in 2004 Greece were 2-1 winners against Portugal on the opening day and 1-0 victors in the final.

• Spain's shoot-out record in UEFA European Championships and World Cups is:
5-4 v Denmark, 1984 UEFA European Championship semi-final
4-5 v Belgium, 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter-final
2-4 v England, EURO '96 quarter-final
3-2 v Republic of Ireland, 2002 FIFA World Cup round of 16
3-5 v South Korea, 2002 FIFA World Cup quarter-final
4-2 v Italy, UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final
4-2 v Portugal, UEFA EURO 2012 semi-final

• Italy's shoot-out record is:
3-4 v Argentina, 1990 FIFA World Cup semi-final
2-3 v Brazil, 1994 FIFA World Cup final
3-4 v France, 1998 FIFA World Cup quarter-final
3-1 v Netherlands, UEFA EURO 2000 semi-final
5-3 v France, 2006 FIFA World Cup final
2-4 v Spain, UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final
4-2 v England, UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-final

Final pedigree
• Spain are in their fourth UEFA European Championship final:
1964: Spain 2-1 USSR (Pereda 6, Marcelino 84; Khusainov 8) – Madrid
1984: France 2-0 Spain (Platini 57, Bellone 90) – Paris
2008: Germany 0-1 Spain (Torres 33) – Vienna

• Italy are in the showpiece for the third time:
1968: Italy 1-1 Yugoslavia, aet (Domenghini 80; Džajić 39) – Rome
Replay Italy 2-0 Yugoslavia (Riva 12, Anastasi 31) – Rome
2000: France 2-1 Italy, aet golden goal (Wiltord 90, Trezeguet 103; Delvecchio 55) – Rotterdam

• Spain were also victorious in the 2010 World Cup on their sole final appearance; Italy claimed the world crown in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006 and were beaten in the 1970 and 1994 finals.

• Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Fàbregas, David Silva and Fernando Torres all started Spain's 2008 final triumph, with Xabi Alonso and Santi Cazorla coming on as substitutes. No player has appeared in two victorious finals.

• Italy's Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and substitute De Rossi appeared in the 2006 World Cup final victory. Only 27 players – including Casillas, Ramos, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Iniesta, Xavi, Fàbregas, Alonso and Torres – have featured in UEFA European Championship and World Cup final wins. Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodríguez and Jesús Navas could also join the club having played in Spain's 2010 World Cup final victory.

• Del Bosque could become only the second coach to win the World Cup and UEFA European Championship, after West Germany's Helmut Schön in 1972 and 1974.

• Chelsea FC pair Torres and Juan Mata could win the European Cup and UEFA European Championship in the same season. Luis Suárez (1964, FC Internazionale Milano and Spain) and Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Barry van Aerle and Gerald Vanenburg (1988, PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands) are the only players to have achieved the feat.

Team ties
• Silva and Mario Balotelli are team-mates at Manchester City FC.

• Antonio Cassano played at Real Madrid CF from January 2006 to summer 2007, alongside Casillas and Ramos.

• Alonso scored Liverpool FC's equalising goal (converting the rebound after his spot kick had been parried by Dida) in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final against AC Milan which finished 3-3, the Premier League club going on to win the penalty shoot-out. Italy's Pirlo was on the losing side in Istanbul.

• Pirlo and Alonso met again in the final two years later when Milan ran out 2-1 winners in Athens. Pepe Reina started in goal for Liverpool while Álvaro Arbeloa came on as a late substitute.

• Despite scoring a second-leg goal in FC Barcelona's 2002/03 UEFA Champions League quarter-final against a Juventus team featuring Buffon, Xavi was ultimately on the losing side as the Italian side advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

• Xavi was also on target against Italian opposition in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage, scoring the winner in a 3-2 win against Milan at San Siro.

• Iniesta and Antonio Nocerino scored for Barcelona and Milan respectively in the Catalan club's 3-1 victory in the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after the goalless first-leg draw at San Siro. Ignazio Abate played for Milan in the same game.

• Fabio Borini and Torres were team-mates at Chelsea between January and March 2011.

• Piqué scored just two goals in official competition while at Manchester United FC between 2004 and 2008, the second of which came in a 1-1 UEFA Champions League group stage draw away to AS Roma on 12 December 2007. De Rossi made a substitute appearance for the hosts.

• Roma's De Rossi and Cassano both found the target against Casillas's Real Madrid on 28 September 2004 but it was not enough to prevent the Italian side losing 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

• Pirlo's Milan enjoyed a 3-2 win against Casillas and Madrid in the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League group stage.

• Torres's first senior goal for Spain came in a 1-1 friendly against Italy in Genoa on 28 April 2004.

• Italian international Thiago Motta was born in Brazil and started his European career with Barcelona. He moved to Genoa CFC in 2008 and joined FC Internazionale Milano a year later. Having been in the Barça squad when the UEFA Champions League was won in 2006, he picked up the title again in 2010 with Inter after helping to eliminate Barça in the semi-finals, although he was sent off in the second leg at the Camp Nou.