The Spanish armada continues to reign the world of football as Spain became the first side to win three major tournaments in a row following an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Italy in the final of Euro 2012 at Kiev. Both giants came into the game unbeaten in the tournament and like the earlier 1-1 draw in the group stage, the game began as an even contest in the 1^st half. But Spain were clinical at vital moments as David Silva provided the opener 13 minutes in with a well-placed header before Jordi Alba capped off an impressive campaign with a superb finish on the back of a quick counter.

The tide turned against the Azzurri in the 2^nd half when final substitute Thiago Motta picked up an injury minutes after coming on, thus leaving the team to play with 10-men for the last half hour. Fernando Torres got the only goal at the 2008 final and he provided the coup de grace this time around as he added the 3^rd with six minutes to go before setting up Juan Mata for the 4^th minutes later. The Spaniards made further history as they became the first team to successfully defend the Henri Delaunay trophy, in the process taking their count to 3 European crowns. Meanwhile, the Italians will rue their bad luck on the big night but even the most ardent Azzurri fan will concede that they were 2nd best to the relentless Spanish team.

Defending Champions Spain have sealed a place in the finals of the European Championships after they overcame their Iberian rivals Portugal 4-2 on penalties after the semi-final tie at the Donbass Arena finished 0-0. Cesc Fabregas scored the decisive penalty to shoot a dagger through Portuguese hearts as Spain made it through to the final despite playing well below their usual level. Xabi Alonso and Joao Moutinho missed the first two spotkicks as the keepers reigned supreme but Bruno Alves was left to rue his miscued effort as that proved to be the difference in the end.

Paulo Bento got his tactics spot on as the Portuguese pushed high up the pitch and worked tirelessly off the ball to prevent Spain from playing their usual tiki-taka football. But the sheer lack of goalmouth action apart from a few long-range efforts from both sides made for a dull night of action despite the high intensity.

England’s rotten record in the penalty shootout came back to haunt them as the Italians progressed through to the semi-finals of the Euros 4-2 on penalties after the quarter-final tie at Kiev finished 0-0. Ashley Cole and Ashley Young were the guilty parties for the Three Lions as they missed their spot-kicks while Riccardo Montolivo was reprieved following his earlier miss. Italy will now face Germany in the semi-finals next week as England exit the competition after their sixth shootout loss in a major tournament.

The 1^st half was an even contest as both sides fashioned great openings. Daniele De Rossi got the night up and running by striking the post early on before Gianluigi Buffon made a brilliant save to deny Glen Johnson. Mario Balotelli was then guilty of missing a host of chances as Italy gradually grew into the game, bossing possession in midfield thanks to De Rossi and the irrepressible Andrea Pirlo. England struggled to create opportunities in the 2^nd half but they frustrated their opponents with some obdurate defending and they were helped by some poor finishing too as De Rossi missed the best chance of the night. The Azzurri battered their opponents, both in terms of possession and shots on goal, and deservedly clinched the last four spot, albeit through the lottery that is a penalty shootout.

Spain are the latest team to make it through to the last four at the European Championships after the world champions finally defeated their bogey side France at a major tournament. Spain prevailed 2-0 in a tepid quarter-final encounter at Donetsk where Xabi Alonso scored a brace to help the Spaniards into the semi-finals. The Real Madrid midfielder scored in the 19^th minute and from the penalty spot on the stroke of full-time to break French hearts as Portugal now lie in wait in what should be a mouth-watering Iberian battle. France didn’t recover from their shocking showing against Sweden as they were equally inept tonight, despite Laurent Blanc’s changes to the line-up and now they face an early trip back home.

Vicente Del Bosque reverted to his old system of deploying essentially six midfielders in his line-up as Fernando Torres only found a place on the bench. Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas were joined in the attack by David Silva on the right while Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso formed the midfield trio. The back four remained intact as Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique formed the central partnership while Jordi Alba and Alvaro Arebloa flanked them.

2004 Champions Greece shocked the mighty Russians by a solitary goal to unexpectedly go through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012. The Russians were on top for most of the game, but couldn’t find their way past a solid Greek defence, who played beyond their individual ability to hang on for the unlikeliest of wins. Greece looked down and out before the match, having been bottom of the group table with group toppers Russia to play. However, they put their bodies on the line to keep the Russians out after having taken the lead through inspirational captain Karagounis to turn the Group A table on its head. The Greeks go through to the next round at the expense of the Russians on account of winning the fixture between the two teams. Greece displayed a performance reminiscent of the 2004 team, but would have to do without the suspended duo of Giorgos Karagounis and Jose Holebas in their quarter-final against Group B winners (probably Germany) on Friday, 22nd June.