Tiki-taka finishes off The Italian Job !!!

Their economy is tumbling. Their debt is soaring. Their banks are in a sorrowful state. The confidence of bond investors continues to dip. The country is in tethers.

But all that did not prevent Spain from playing exemplary football of the highest level. All those worries were locked in a tight box and forgotten about on a day of footballing mania. A much-awaited Euro 2012 final between Spain and Italy beckoned - a final that held promise for both the economically bruised nations.

After a lot of speculation and deliberation, it was Cesc Fabregas who started up front for La Roja in the 'False No. 9' role. Spain coach Vicente del Bosque definitely had taken a risk, not putting up a full-fledged striker, but as it turned out, the risk paid sweet dividends.

Italy, treading on similar paths as Spain on the economic front, went with their usual formation putting up "Super Mario" and Antonio Cassano up front.

Spain began their play as was expected of them, getting into their passing rhythm quickly and dominating possession. A flurry of attacks early in the game from both sides saw the game balanced. But Spain had clearly driven home the point that they were not ready to be countered the way they were by Portugal. At times, when the tiki-taka of Spain was in full flow, it seemed as if Spain were playing a local U-14 team, who were getting introduced to the concept of football.

A sensational through-ball in the 14th minute unleashed Fabregas into the penalty box, and a tidy cross to David Silva, who headed home, put Spain ahead early on.

From then on, Italy never really recovered. Spain's runs into the penalty box became all too common. The finishing perhaps lacked the finesse that the injured David Villa could have provided, but Italy were being pushed back further. Attempts to counter La Roja on the break did not reap benefits, with the Spanish defence holding ground and the midfield intercepting many attempted passes.

A 1-0 lead seemed too insignificant for La Roja. A sensational through-ball by Xavi and a phenomenal run from behind the half-line by Jordi Alba set the platform to stretch the lead.  The latest addition to the Barcelona squad, Alba netted home sweetly in the 41st minute to end the first half with Spain very much in control.

Antonio Di Natale, who scored against Spain in their first match of Euro 2012, was brought on for the Azzurri in the second half. He made his presence felt almost immediately with a couple of shots either just scraping the net or testing Casillas. When an apparent handball by Leonardo Bonucci was waived off by referee Pedro Proenca, luck favoured the Azzurri.

On the other side, to provide further impetus to the Spanish attack, Pedro was brought in for score-opener David Silva. Short Silva perhaps lacked the physique to break through the Italian defence, when a couple of passes headed his way did have the potential to be at least shots on target, if not goals.

When Thiago Motta, who had come on as a substitute, had to be stretchered off close to the hour mark, 10-men Italy would have felt a chill run down their spine. With no substitutions left for Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli, facing a fully energized squad that manipulates opposition defence and controls play using the famous tiki-taka football was undoubtedly a Herculean task. Prandelli, who had made trips to pilgrimages after Italy's progression in the competition, needed some divine intervention to break the midfield stronghold of La Roja.

Except win free kicks, some of which were undeserved, Mario Balotelli provided no valuable contribution to the Azzurri attack. "Super Mario" was just a puppet dancing to La Roja's tune.

In the final few minutes of the game, as Italy kept chasing shadows, substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata put their names as well on the score-sheet, with late goals in the 84th and 88th minute respectively.

Torres, who also scored the winner against Germany in the Euro 2008 final, became the only player in the world to score in two finals of the European Championships.

Xavi, who provided the assist to Torres, also became the first player to provide two assists in a final.

Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas became the first player ever in international football to win 100 matches for his country. He also set a new record of going 511 minutes without conceding a goal. Interestingly, Casillas conceded just 1 goal for La Roja in Euro 2012 in their first match against Italy.

Spain created history by becoming the first team to win 3 consecutive major international tournaments. They are also the first team to defend their Euro title, and have now equaled Germany's record of possessing 3 European titles. Spain's 4-0 victory is also the largest margin of victory in a Euro or World Cup final.

With so many records broken in 90 minutes, Spain's majesty on football now remains unquestionable. The supposedly "boring" or "lackadaisical" passing has proven effective. The critics have been silenced. Despite the economic problem back home, the country rejoiced heartily. No matter what happens to the Euro currency, whether it breaks or stays afloat, the European Champions are here to stay. Spanish football and tiki-taka are here to stay...

Portugal Spain Euro 2012 Match Preview

The first semi-final of the Euro 2012 between the Iberian rivals Portugal and Spain holds much promise. Defending champions Spain will definitely love to hold on to the their world-reigning status, but a renewed Portugal side can give them a run for their money. Portugal, despite the 1-0 loss to Germany in their first Euro 2012 fixture, clawed their way up the group, the "Group of Death" as it was referred to, to finish second behind Germany, the other semi-finalists who play tomorrow. A second-attempt half-volley by Silvestre Varela in the 87th minute gave the Seleccao their first victory at the Euro and they have not looked back since. A talismanic play by Cristiano Ronaldo sealed off the fate of The Netherlands, guiding the Portuguese to a 2-1 victory over the Oranje. Ronaldo, despite being touted by critics to flop for the national side, proved his critics wrong with a double against the Oranje, and cancelled out the superb strike by Rafael van der Waart. A Czech side without one of their stars Tomas Rosicky did not look formidable against the determined Seleccao and the Portuguese looked totally in control of the match. A sweet header by Ronaldo late in the second half of the match  not only gave the star his 3rd goal in 3 matches, but also ensured that Portugal was the first team to enter the semis.

Spain, on the other hand, have had a decent campaign so far in the Euro, not looking quite at their best, but still managing to do just enough to get over the line and ensure their contention for the title. A 1-1 draw against Italy might not have been the result anticipated by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, who put Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas in a 'false No. 9' role at the head of the field. Chelsea's prized asset Fernando Torres used his time on the field effectively against Ireland by scoring two, while David Silva and Fabregas completed a 4-0 annihilation of the Irish. Despite 72% of possession and numerous opportunities, La Roja could barely escape a draw in their final group-stage match against Croatia and were aided by substitute Jesus Navas two minutes before full-time. A disappointing performance by Fernando Torres in the match against Croatia resulted in his replacement by Fabregas, who again started up front, but it was Xabi Alonso who gave the Spaniards a lead and marked his 100th cap for La Roja with a brace.

Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Seleccao, will have to live up to burden of expectations laid on him and will have to lead from the front, literally. Fortunately for Portugal, he has regained his form at the right time, but he will be pitted against his Real Madrid team-mates Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso. However, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao, his team-mates at Los Blancos, will have to work closely with Ronaldo to create a play that dominates the conventional tiki-taka of Spain.

Portugal boss Paulo Bento, who has put out the same starters for all matches in the Euro, will have to make changes for the semis. Centre-forward Helder Postiga, who is out due to a thigh injury picked up in the match against Czech Republic, will have to be replaced by either Hugo Almeida or youngster Nelson Oliveira. Moutinho, Veloso and Meireles, the most likely men in the middle, will have significant sections of the ground to cover as they assist Pepe and Bruno Alves in the defence, while also providing the impetus to attackers Nani and Ronaldo to break the Spanish stronghold at the back. Spanish boss Vicente del Bosque, on the other hand, will also have to put his thinking cap on, as he will have to take a call on who to put up front. Should he opt for Fabregas, who has been deployed in a 'false No. 9' role and who has scored twice, or should he go in for a conventional full-fledged striker in the form of either Torres, who has scored twice but has not been in sensational form, or Fernando Llorente, who has not yet started for La Roja in this Euro? Quite a decision Mr. del Bosque.

Interestingly, almost half the Barcelona team features in the La Roja squad. This is significant because the Seleccao, with 3 players from the Madrid line-up, will not only face their own team-mates but will also have to battle against Classico rivals. It gets even more interesting considering that Ronaldo scored the winner in the previous El Classico clash. Portugal will be determined to go all the way, but Spain will definitely lift up their game which has been described as "lackadaisical" and "boring" in this Euro. Both teams have reached the semis off the back of three consecutive wins, but who will overpower the other? It will certainly take a lot of patience and determination from the Seleccao to break the tiki-taka style of football that Spain so deftly deploy. Portugal cannot really afford the defensive solidarity and Ronaldo is certainly a better attacker than a defender !!! So, they will have to resist the pressure that Spain will mount and will have to use gaps to counter the play. La Furia Roja, on the other hand, will certainly look to exploit the Portuguese defence.

Will we see Spain lash out at the Seleccao with the Red Fury that has been a trademark of the Spanish side over the last few years? Or will Portugal break the tiki-taka and become the first team to enter the final of Euro 2012?

Any predictions on the scoreline?