spain vs italy - Euro08 preview

As we head for the last quarter-final of Euro 2008 the previous three matches have proved that nothing is predictable in the beautiful game and in the aftermath of the three already played, it is Hiddink's Russia who have emerged as the unlikely dark-horses of it all.

But what has been even more amazing in the tournament is although Portugal, Croatia and Netherlands all topped their respective groups - it has been the underdogs and the unlikely runners-up in the form of Germany, Turkey and Russia who have all booked their rightful place in the last four of Euro 2008.

So while Spain have come into this tournament in a whirlwind of creativity, style, and a 100% record topping Group D with wins over Russia, Sweden and Greece - World Cup winners Italy have rose above and beyond their less-than-impressive start to finish second in the 'Group of Death' as runners-up to the Dutch, and one only wonders, can Spain pack the punch needed in order to be the exception to this astonishingly unpredicted rule?

Sizzling rivalry With a fierce rivalry this sizzling Mediterranean match-up is sure to be the most anticipated of the tournament so far, and while Spain come into this game as favorites to meet Russia in Friday's semi-final it is Italy who come in on a high after escaping the murky depths of footballing madness when they humiliated another of their biggest European rivals France, to take their quarter-final place. Known world-wide for their sly and cunning footballing style, after a slow start reining World Cup Champions Italy, moved the gear up and kicked the pedal down at just moment it was needed - and while Spain, forever known as the perennial underachievers, seem to shrink in the spotlight it is tactical Italy who instinctively know how to perform on the big stage.

So the question now remains, can España finally step-up and be counted against the hard-nosed Italian glitterati? The answer, I think, is yes.

Vibrant Villa

With the glorious up-front partnership of top goalscorer David Villa and Fernando Torres, Spain has the edge over a lack-luster Italy who early on looked decidedly disorganized due to the loss of their prolific captain Fabio Cannavaro - while their main threat, Luca Toni, is struggling to make a connection with the back of the net.

It is not only up-front that Spain have the upper-hand, but in the midfield as well, Spain have been outstanding and Spanish coach Luis Aragones has a smorgasbord of fast-paced, utility players to choose from.

And it is midfield worries that will be weighing heavy on Italian hearts in the knowledge that Pirlo and Gattuso both will miss the game after receiving bookings in the France clash - a fact that will be hard for Italy to swallow - but no doubt adds strings to Spain's bow. One of Italy's biggest assets though, is their unrelenting faith in their own ability to conquer, divide and dive with precision when it is needed the most and the spirit of stand-in captain and quality goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will provide the inspiration on the field that Cannavaro can not. Defying history And while Spain haven't beaten Italy in an astounding 88-years, the last time these two sides met in a 2008 friendly, it was Spain who took the upper-hand, beating Donadoni's Italy 1-0 thanks to a last-minute goal from last-minute wonder, David Villa. Going into this fierce clash Spain will be hoping to put their falling at the quarter-final hurdle history aside by wiping the floor with the Azzurri with integrity, skill and class - painting the town red and sealing their place as serious and deserving contenders in the final four of Euro 2008.