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Spain 4 - 0 Italy Euro 2012 Final Highlights

2012-07-01T16:02:00.000-07:00

Superb Spain make history by thrashing Italy to win Euro 2012

2012-07-01T14:55:00.001-07:00

Spain made history in magical fashion as they outclassed Italy and claimed a successive European crown to add to their 2010 World Cup triumph.

Vicente del Bosque's side staged a compelling claim to be the greatest international side of all time as the Euro 2012 final was transformed into an exhibition with Italy - who performed creditably for long periods - passed brutally into submission.

David Silva's header was reward for Spain's early supremacy and new Barcelona recruit Jordi Alba doubled the lead just before half-time with a blistering run and finish.

The scoreline was emphatic at the conclusion but Italy performed with great resolve. Once they were reduced to 10 men after losing third substitute Thiago Motta to injury, however, they were ruthlessly exposed by masters of the passing art.

Fernando Torres emerged as a late substitute to make a powerful impact; steering home Spain's third then setting up Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata to inflict the final wound on a bedraggled Italy.

Spain's virtuoso performance was a decisive answer to a growing band of critics who had forced coach Del Bosque and his players to defend themselves against allegations that they had been "boring" throughout Euro 2012 at the pre-match media conference.

And even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, in a spectacularly ill-timed contribution, wrote that Spain "have betrayed their philosophy and turned it into something more negative".

Not on this night.

Every quality that has led to them dominating world football since they won Euro 2008 and the World Cup in South Africa two years later was brought to bear.

It was a heartbreaking night for Italy and coach Cesare Prandelli but there was no shame in being beaten by a team of such quality. They can reflect with satisfaction on their work before this chastening evening.

Spain, perhaps stung by the words of criticism aimed in their direction, started with a pace and tempo of passing that the Italians found impossible to live with.

The warning signs were posted for Italy when a long spell of possession ended with Xavi shooting just over - but it was not long before they were ahead.

Cesc Fabregas was employed in the so-called "False Nine" role as Del Bosque played without a conventional striker. The former Arsenal star proved the tactic is a positive force rather than a negative one.

He collected the masterly Andres Iniesta's pass and outflanked Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini before delivering perfectly for Silva to head beyond keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

It was Chiellini's final contribution as he swiftly succumbed to the thigh injury that has been troubling him in the later stages of the tournament and was replaced by Federico Balzaretti.

Italy's response to Silva's goal and the early Spanish onslaught was commendable as Antonio Cassano twice had shots saved by keeper Iker Casillas but a goal of brilliance in creation and execution made their task mountainous.

Alba demonstrated exactly why Barcelona were so keen to bring the graduate of their famous La Masia youth academy back to the Nou Camp from Valencia when he finished a blurring run on to Xavi's perfect pass with a composed finish past Buffon.

Prandelli acted during the interval, sending on Antonio Di Natale for Cassano. Twice he almost got the goal that could have halted Spain, heading just over before bringing a fine save out of Casillas.

Italy's third and final change came when Motta replaced Riccardo Montolivo but Italy's luck was summed up when he suffered a hamstring injury within minutes and the Azzurri were reduced to 10 men.

Spain were now winning with something to spare and Del Bosque took the opportunity to remove the outstanding Fabregas and introduce Chelsea striker Torres for the closing stages.

It was an opportunity he took, adding the final flourishes by steering home Spain's third and unselfishly setting up Mata's finish to round off a spectacular performance.

Tour de France: Debutant Peter Sagan wins stage one

2012-07-01T14:50:00.002-07:00

Peter Sagan won stage one of the Tour de France from Liege to Seraing, his first victory in the race.

Slovak Sagan, riding the Tour for the first time, won a three-man sprint with yellow-jersey holder Fabian Cancellara and Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen.

Cancellara retained the race lead and is seven seconds ahead of Britain's Bradley Wiggins, who finished in the chasing pack along with Cadel Evans.

Pre-stage favourite Philippe Gilbert came home in fourth in the same time.

It was an enthralling finish to what had been a reasonably predictable day with a six-man breakaway escaping as soon as the race started in the Belgian city of Liege.

The sextet led over the first four climbs of the day while the only excitement in the peloton in the opening 170km or so came at the intermediate sprint.

The big points had already been hoovered up by the leaders but nine were on offer for the first man from the peloton to cross the line.

Team Sky's Mark Cavendish was in the hunt but he was outsprinted by former HTC team-mate Matt Goss, who now rides for Australian outfit Orica GreenEdge and had to settle for eight points.

The leaders were eventually caught inside the last 10km as the peloton jostled for position in readiness for the 2.4km ascent to the finish.

Cancellara made the break for victory a third of the way up the climb but Sagan, a sprint specialist, immediately jumped onto his wheel and tracked the race leader up the slope while Team Sky's Boasson Hagen managed to bridge the gap from the chasing bunch.

Liquigas rider Sagan, 22, rejected calls from Cancellara to go past him with 500m remaining, waiting until 50m from the line to sprint past the RadioShack star with Boasson Hagen trailing in third.

"I'm very happy, especially after the incident at the prologue," said Sagan, who almost crashed going round a roundabout during Saturday's opening time trial in Liege.

"My legs were feeling better today. I was the only one who could follow [Cancellara], I was tight behind him. I was just happy to stay on his wheel."

Cancellara, who was wearing yellow for the 22nd day, eight years after first wearing it in Liege, saw the finish slightly differently.

"[Sunday] was more about defending the jersey than winning the stage, and the team did a great job with absolutely no help from other teams," he said.

"I thought attacking would be the best defence and 500m from the line I wasn't going to slow down."

Fast-finishing Belgian Gilbert led home a group that included Team Sky's Wiggins and BMC Racing's Evans and was awarded the same time as the winner, meaning the general classification standings remain largely untouched.

Dave Brailsford, Team Sky's team principal, told: "It was a good effort. All in all, it was important that Brad didn't lose any time."

Cancellara continues to lead Wiggins and Sebastien Chavanel by seven seconds, with Evans 10 seconds further back.

Cavendish sat up in the saddle in the last climb and Brailsford added: "He said he felt good, but once he knew he wasn't going to be competitive, as soon as you know, there's no point emptying the tank for no reason whatsoever.

"It's a different stage finish tomorrow so we'll see some different competitors at the front of the race."

Andy Murray after his win last night

2012-07-01T05:30:00.002-07:00

Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake set for second showdown in Olympic trials

2012-07-01T05:19:00.002-07:00

Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake are set for another showdown in the Jamaican Olympic trials after both advanced to Sunday's 200m final.

Blake caused an upset in Kingston on Friday night by beating Bolt in the 100m final with a time of 9.75 seconds - the fastest in the world this year.

And Blake, 22, again went quicker in Saturday's 200m semi-finals, running 19.93 while Bolt won his heat in 20.26.

"It's all about qualifying," claimed Bolt. "It was a good overall race."

Bolt and Blake are the two fastest men ever over 200m and Sunday's final will see them go head-to-head for the last time before this summer's Games in London.

Bolt, 25, is the world record holder at 19.19 and won Olympic gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at Beijing in 2008.

The 100m final was the first time the training partners had faced each other since Blake took the world title in Daegu last year, after Bolt was disqualified for a false start.

Bolt has struggled out of the blocks this weekend and his 200m semi was disrupted by a false start, but he is determined to head for London on a positive note.

"I felt good on the corner," he said. "I haven't run a corner in a while so it felt good. I'm feeling all right, I'm feeling a little bit better.

"The 200 is much more easy (for starts). I don't see anybody, so it's much easier.

"I didn't want to get lane three in the final so I paced myself, I'm happy and I'm glad that Blake and (Warren) Weir ran faster than me so, I think they will get the lower lanes."

The women's 200m final will also feature a rematch between Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Campbell-Brown, who is hoping for a record third consecutive Olympic title, won her heat in 22.79, but Fraser-Pryce, winner of Friday's 100m and the 100m Olympic champion, ran the top qualifying time of 22.55.

The men's final is the last event of the four-day meeting and is scheduled for 19.30 local time (01.30 BST), with the women's at 19.15 (01.15 BST).

Watch the 100m in Kingston here!

Euro 2012 final: Spain versus Italy in numbers

2012-07-01T05:13:00.001-07:00

Spain and Italy opened their Euro 2012 campaign against each other in a 1-1 Group C encounter and they will bring the curtain down on the tournament when they contest the final on Sunday
La Roja will be trying to become the first team to win three major tournaments after their victories at Euro 2008 and the 2012 World Cup.

Italy, who have only won the European Championship once before in 1968, can stop Spain making history and add to their last tournament success, which came at the 2006 World Cup.

Head-to-head statistics

Italy and Spain are facing each other for the 31st time in their history. The Azzurri have 10 wins and Spain have eight, while there have been 12 draws.

The Azzurri are unbeaten against Spain at major tournaments (penalty shoot-outs excluded), with three wins and four draws. Nevertheless, Spain advanced in their last knockout encounter in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 (0-0 after 120 mins, 4-2 after penalties).

Cesare Prandelli has faced Spain twice as Italy head coach and has yet to lose. Italy beat them in a friendly in August 2011 (2-1) before drawing in their opening game at Euro 2012 (1-1).

Spain have faced only 12 shots on target at Euro 2012. Half of those were against Italy in their opening game (6).

Italy and Spain have had the most shots at Euro 2012 - 99 and 86 respectively.

Spain in numbers

La Roja will become the first team to retain the European Championship trophy if they beat Italy. The Soviet Union got to the 1964 final as holders but lost and West Germany suffered the same fate when they were beaten in the 1976 final.

Spain have not conceded a single goal in their last 900 minutes of action in major tournament knockout games, a streak which started in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

Spain have the best defensive record at Euro 2012 with only one goal conceded. In their last two games (a quarter-final v France and semi-final v Portugal), the combined opposition managed one shot on target.

They dominated possession in their seven games at World Cup 2010 and five games at Euro 2012. Germany, in the final of Euro 2008, were the last side to enjoy more possession than Spain in a tournament knockout tie.

Five Spanish players (Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos) have completed more passes than Italy's most prolific player in that department, Andrea Pirlo (320 passes).

Andres Iniesta has had the most shots on target without scoring in a European Championship fixture since 1980 - 11 shots on target, no goals.

Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla are the most used substitutes in the history of the European Championships (alongside Netherlands' Aron Winter), having been brought on seven times.

Italy in numbers

Italy have picked up the most bookings at Euro 2012 - 15. That's five more than Spain (10).

They have committed 79 fouls during the tournament as opposed to Spain's 66.

This is Italy's ninth final at major tournaments (three at the European Championship, six at the World Cup). They've won 63% (five).

Italy are the only side to have never trailed at any point during Euro 2012.

The Azzurri are unbeaten in 15 competitive games under Cesare Prandelli: winning 10 (one by default) and drawing five.

Striker Mario Balotelli has had the most shots on target at Euro 2012 - 10.

Keeper Gianluigi Buffon has played 24 matches at major tournaments, equalling Dino Zoff's Italian record, but he is still four short of the goalkeepers' record, held by Spain's Iker Casillas (28).

No team has made more blocks, clearances and interceptions than Italy during Euro 2012 - 248.

What they say about the final
"We haven't done anything yet, as it would be like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope. We are in the final, but we need the victory." - Italy's Andrea Pirlo .

"Italy and ourselves have lived parallel lives and now we have to be at the level that a final demands." - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

"We won the league at Manchester City so having a good season for me doesn't depend on winning the Euros," - Italy striker Mario Balotelli .

"We need to win, that much is obvious. If we do it, it'll be historic, but we still have to improve on a few things." - Spain midfielder David Silva .

"Spain are the favourites in terms of experience and consistency, but we are in there." - Italy coach Cesare Prandelli .

Klinsmann: Spain win over Italy would make them team of century

2012-06-29T15:08:00.003-07:00

If Spain beat Italy in the Final of Euro 2012 then they are going to be the team of the century.
Winning three consecutive major tournaments would show an incredible hunger and character to go with the fantastic talent in their squad.

It would be an unbelievable achievement for them to win a second successive European Championship to go with their World Cup triumph two years ago and, in my opinion, they are still the team to beat.

This Spain side is going through their toughest process because, having been so successful, they have set their standard so high and people are always expecting them to match it.

They really deserve the biggest compliments over the last few years for the style of play they have developed.

But the important thing is they have also learned how to finish things off by winning tournaments too. You have to give so much in order to cross the line and win again and again.

There is so much I admire about Vicente del Bosque's side, like their movement off the ball and the way they recover the ball so well when they lose it.

They have been criticised for being boring during this tournament but I think that is only because they are not playing exactly the way people want to see them play.

That drives people to be critical, but I don't think the Spanish players deserve to get any negative comments.

I love Spain's style of play, even if I would like to see more strikers in their starting line-up. We have to remember, though, that this is what Del Bosque is doing at this specific moment, he did not play that way in South Africa at the World Cup or during Euro 2008.

The key to winning games is to create chances and they still create chances using that 6-4-0 formation, which is kind of scary.

Obviously, I want to see them use a striker like Fernando Torres to lead their attack because I was a striker myself but they could win the tournament playing without one, which would just leave me speechless.

Italy will not make it easy for them, however, and it should be a very exciting final because they are two technically highly gifted teams. I am looking forward to watching it in Kiev.

Naturally, I am very disappointed that Italy are in the final, not Germany, but the fact is that Germany were beaten by an Italian side which was better than them.

Despite that defeat, I am very confident about Germany's future. They are going to be in very good shape for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Reaching the last four at Euro 2012 means we have been at that stage or better for the last four major tournaments, and the young talent coming through like Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze is very encouraging.

I am proud of the part I played in building this Germany side and their style of play when I was manager from 2004 to 2006.

And I am so happy with the way it has progressed since then, especially now with more and more talent coming through the academies at the Bundesliga clubs and making it into the national team.

I was part of the beginning of that whole development and installed the coaching staff like Joachim Loew who are involved today.

Now I am looking at it from the outside and I am delighted for them.

Against Italy, the team hit the wall but they will continue to grow and mature and will be even better next time.

To become a great team, they will have to win a trophy, but the future still lies with them.

Jurgen Klinsmann was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan

Wimbledon 2012: Federer comeback denies Benneteau

2012-06-29T14:55:00.001-07:00

Six-time champion Roger Federer overcame a major scare to beat Julien Benneteau in five sets and advance to the fourth round of Wimbledon.

A day after Rafael Nadal crashed out, Federer recovered from two sets down to win 4-6 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 7-6 (8-6) 6-1.

Federer struggled against the power of the 29th seed in the first two sets.

But having clawed his way back to parity, Federer took advantage of an injury to his French opponent to sweep through the final set in 26 minutes.

Third seed Federer plays Belgian Xavier Malisse on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Federer, 30, went into the match a red-hot favourite having dropped only nine games in his first two matches.

But Nadal's loss to world number 100 Lukas Rosol, arguably the biggest upset in Wimbledon history, showed that no player is safe on the grass of SW19.

Benneteau, also 30, reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2010 but has never won an ATP Tour event.

However, he beat Federer the last time they met, on the hard courts of Paris in 2009, and the underdog came out swinging under the Centre Court roof.

Behind a booming serve and thunderous groundstrokes, Benneteau ambushed Federer in the first set, breaking him at 4-4 before holding serve.

The players exchanged breaks at the start of the second set and when Benneteau won the tie-break 7-3, Federer was contemplating his first third-round exit at a Grand Slam tournament since the French Open of 2004.

But Federer made short work of the third set before coming through a nerve-jangling fourth-set tie-break.

With a raucous crowd contemplating an epic deciding set, disaster struck for Benneteau when he succumbed to an injury in his first service game.

Benneteau received a vigorous massage but could not be fully revived, allowing Federer to sweep into the last 16 for the eighth year in a row.

And we're under way!

2012-06-29T14:36:00.001-07:00

And we're under way!
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