Spain outclass Russia to reach Euro final

Reuters

MARCHING ON: Spain have defied their 'chockers' tag and defeated Russia 3-0 in the semifinals of Euro 2008 to set up a clash with Germany in Monday's final.

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Spain have reached the European Championship final for the first time in 24 years after a convincing 3-0 win over Russia to set up a meeting with Germany in Monday's Euro 2008 decider.

Xavi scored with a superbly taken opportunist volley at a rainswept Ernst Happel stadium to give Spain a deserved 1-0 lead after 50 minutes and substitute Daniel Guiza made no mistake when he beat the offside trap to make it 2-0 after 73 minutes.

Cesc Fabregas set up David Silva to make it 3-0 eight minutes from time.

"We're in the final, it's what we all wanted but, of course, now we've got a team in front of us which is Germany and that's a very big challenge," said Spain coach Luis Aragones.

"The first half was difficult but our second half performance was extraordinary."

Midfielder Andres Iniesta added: "The team just got better and better as the game went on. We dominated throughout and we're absolutely delighted to be in the final."

Russia coach Guus Hiddink said: "We lost against a very good opponent. We managed to keep up more or less on the same level for one hour - they had to make us tired.

"Having third place in this tournament is a tremendous success and they (Spain) deserved to win."

ABSORBING MATCH

Spain's breakthrough in an absorbing match came five minutes into the second half when Iniesta cut in from the left and found Xavi who had lost his markers.

He took his chance brilliantly to put Spain ahead and on the way to their first final since they lost to France in 1984.

Guiza replaced Fernando Torres up front after 69 minutes and took only four minutes to strike after being set up by midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who had a huge influence after replacing the injured David Villa after 35 minutes.

Spain, who stretched their unbeaten run to 21 matches, will be attempting to be crowned European champions for the first time since their only success in 1964.

Germany, who reached the final on Thursday by beating Turkey 3-2, will be aiming for their fourth continental triumph.

Spain beat Russia 4-1 in the group stage two weeks ago and were the better side again on Friday, totally deserving their triumph because their midfield dominated and created plenty of chances for the front men.

Russia, who improved enormously after that opening loss to Spain, never found the rhythm and verve that had seen off Netherlands in the quarter-final and Andrei Arshavin, the inspiration behind their revival, had a largely anonymous game.

Both teams made a lively start in the pouring rain with Spain creating the first two chances. Torres turned and shot straight at Igor Akinfeyev after six minutes and Villa forced the keeper into a good save five minutes later.

Russia's first serious chance came after 16 minutes when Roman Pavlyuchenko blasted a free kick just over Iker Casillas' bar. He also went close with a long-range shot after 31 minutes. However, the second half belonged to triumphant Spain.

-Reuters