KIEV – Soccer's aristocrats will compete for the continent's crown Sunday when Spain seeks to extend its domination of Europe against a revitalized Italy which threatens to end its reign. Between them Spain and Italy have produced 25 European champions at club level but this will be the first time their national teams have met for the European Championship. Few would question their places in the final have been earned. “The winners will be deserving champions,” said Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas. “I think we've been the two most consistent teams at the tournament.” Italy is four-time World Cup winner, most recently in 2006, while Spain is aiming for a unique achievement of three consecutive major titles following its wins at Euro 2008 and the World Cup two years ago. While Vicente Del Bosque's success with Spain has been built on a water-tight defense and impressive possession football, Italy has reached the final thanks to positive, dynamic play and a potent attack led by the temperamental talent of Mario Balotelli which saw it upset Germany in the semifinals. Spain's, short passing ‘Tiki Taka' method has brought remarkable results – no European team since West Germany in the early 1970's has reached the final of three major tournaments in a row. But the ‘Spanish era' will in many ways be defined by how it copes with a surprisingly exciting Italian team on Sunday. An unprecedented third title, with powerhouses Germany and the Netherlands having already been dispatched in finals, would secure Spain's place among the greatest teams of all time. But a defeat, at the end of a tournament in which it has rarely managed to raise the pulses of fans, would lead to a more modest evaluation of La Roja's place in the game's hierarchy. The teams arrive in the Ukrainian capital in differing moods. While Spain scraped into the final via a penalty shootout win over Portugal after it was held to a 0-0 draw after extra-time, Italy is on a high after their surprise 2-1 victory over a highly-fancied Germany. Following its European and World Cup successes, Spain has more experience at this level and more quality on paper but it has looked a little jaded and their Del Bosque acknowledged fatigue was an issue. “The players are tired. We're at breaking point. But they are used to this all season and I hope they get in shape for the final,” he said. After an energetic display against Germany, the Italy has some recovery of its own to do, with one day less rest than Spain but its mood is one of exhilaration after Balotelli's double earned it a place in the final that few predicted. Coach Cesare Prandelli has managed to do what every national team coach hopes for in the short timeframe of tournament football – develop a club team spirit. The two teams met in the group stage with the game ending 1-1 after Fabregas cancelled out Antonio Di Natale's opener. “We haven't to be afraid of them,” said Prandelli noting his team was stronger than they were for the opener in Gdansk. “We have improved, both physically and psychologically”. Italy last won the European Championship in 1968 while Spain is looking for its third Euro title, following its first success in 1964, to add to their solitary World Cup. Villa, Puyol to attend final David Villa and Carles Puyol will attend Spain's European Championship final as spectators after missing the tournament because of injury. The Spanish federation said Saturday the two players who helped Spain win Euro 2008 and the World Cup two years later will be at the match Sunday at Kiev's Olympic Stadium. Ireland fans earn UEFA award at Euro 2012 Ireland's cheerful legions of singing fans have won a UEFA prize after winning millions of admirers at the European Championship. UEFA says its president Michel Platini will visit Ireland soon to present an award to thank the “absolutely fantastic” fans. UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said, “everyone was very impressed with the fans of the Irish national team.” Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said Ireland's fans “should be applauded.” Buffon said: “They are people full of pride and happiness who accept defeat and victory in the same manner.” — Agencies
