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Summary Italy will take on reigning European and World champions Spain in Euro 2012 final in Kiev today.
Italian coach Cesare Prandelli says his team face the best side in the world when they take on reigning European and World champions Spain in Sundays (July 1) Euro 2012 final in Kiev.Speaking to journalists in Kievs Olympic Stadium, Prandelli said he and his team were determined to beat the Spanish.Spain are the best side in the world. Theyve show that over the last few years because theyve always played their own way, stayed true to their football philosophy and we have always said they are the side to beat, he said.But Prandelli dismissed complaints that Spain have become boring to watch with their methods of controlling possession and constant short passing moves.I dont think its a case of them being boring. Its the fear of seeing the same side always winning and over the last few years, Spain always seemed to come out on top so theyre not boring in any shape or form, he said,Spain are seeking to cement their place among soccers great teams with a third major title after victory in the World Cup in South Africa and the last European finals in Austria and Switzerland four years ago.Italy, who last won the tournament in 1968, by contrast have confounded expectations with positive, dynamic play and a potent attack led by the temperamental talent of Mario Balotelli.A double from the 21-year old striker saw them upset a much-fancied young Germany side in the semi-finals in Warsaw on Thursday (June 28) and was a stark contrast to Spains victory on penalties over Portugal on Wednesday (June 27) after a dull 0-0 draw.Mario has done very well this far because first and foremost hes got great natural talent and this is a great starting point for him, said Italian goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon.Hes come into a squad where there are a lot of star players, not only in footballing terms but also stars in general. Hes also come in and hes worked with a coach like ours, who in a number of different ways, managed to get the best out of Mario Balotelli so I think he deserves the most credit for this because hes really worked hard and hes wanted to succeed and credit should also go to the rest of the squad.The teams already met in the group stage of the tournament with the game ending 1-1.Prandelli also announced that the team had received a letter of encouragement from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, and that the squad would meet with him in Rome on Monday (July 2).Quite honestly I felt very emotional when I read the letter. We felt his presence here, we felt just how close he is to us at this time, just like the first time he came to watch us play against Spain in the first game of the tournament so hes given us a lot of confidence and not a lot of people had a lot of faith in the team at this time. I felt a lot of emotions, Prandelli said.
