We have to wait untill Tuesday September 11th 2012  ENGLAND -UKRAINE....

                                  Friday  October  12th 2012  ENGLAND-SAN MARINO

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque must decide whether to stick with Alvaro Negredo after the striker started the semi-final win over Portugal.

Cesc Fabregas is favourite to start if Del Bosque opts against selecting an out-and-out forward.

Italy's Ignazio Abate should be fit after missing the semi-final against Germany

 with a hamstring injury.

Strike duo Antonio Cassano (twisted knee) and Mario Balotelli (cramp in the semi-final) are both expected to start.

Midfielder Daniele De Rossi completed 90 minutes against Germany, and appears to have fully recovered from a sciatic nerve problem.

With Abate missing against Germany, Federico Balzaretti shifted from left-back to right-back. If Balzaretti returns to his regular position, Giorgio Chiellini would move inside to centre-back, with Leonardo Bonucci dropping to the bench.

Napoli wing-back Christian Maggio is back from suspension but is likely to be named on the bench.MATCH PREVIEW

"Shameful Italy… One of our ugliest national teams ever… the end of a generation and an illusion... we were champions of the world and now are the laughing stock of the world."

The Azzurri's exit to Slovakia at the 2010 World Cup was, Italian newspapers agreed, their biggest humiliation since losing to North Korea at the 1966 tournament.

On that occasion the squad were pelted with rotten tomatoes when they returned home, but just two years later they were crowned European champions. Could history repeat itself on Sunday or will reigning world and European champions Spain break new ground by clinching a third consecutive major title?

Transformed under the refreshing tutelage of Cesare Prandelli, Italy have generated real momentum as they go to Kiev in search of their sixth major title.

In previous rounds the Azzurri took heart from their track record against England and Germany, and it is a similar story against their Mediterranean neighbours. The Spanish did beat them on penalties at Euro 2008, but, excluding shoot-outs, you have to go back to the 1920 Olympics to find Spain's only competitive victory in this fixture; irrelevant ancient history or enough to sow seeds of doubt?

Germany's Miroslav Klose admitted on Thursday "perhaps the fact that we had never beaten Italy was in the back of our minds."

It's a sign of how things have changed that free-scoring Germany are admitting to mental frailties while Spain continue to grind out results relentlessly. The semi-final win against Portugal may not have been their greatest display, but it certainly leaves Vicente del Bosque's side on the verge of greatness. A hat-trick of titles would be unprecedented in the modern era; the strongest competing claim actually belongs to Italy, who won the 1934 and 1938 World Cups, plus Olympic gold in Berlin in 1936.

West Germany are the only other side to reach three successive World Cup or European Championship finals, winning the first two before losing to Antonin Panenka's chipped penalty for Czechoslovakia in 1976.

Italy have been a relevation and have played some real entertaining football the suprsie team of the tournament, which says a lot how Italy have slipped over recent years.  Will be a fascinating game.. Would like Italy to win tho Spain will probably keep the ball off the Italians for long periods. I will try my hand at 1-1 and into extra time Spain winning 2-1

May the best team win...Especially the Italian team....

They might be dull but it would be a real achievement if Spain win 3 tournaments in a row. But I have a feeling its going to be Italy tonight. Super Mario again!

Euro 2020 could have 12 host countries. Sounds like a fairly sensible idea from Platini which is unusual.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18657633

Can't ever see it working to be honest. Imagine the amount of travelling that everyone would have to do! Quite a lot was made in the press about the amount of travelling that the England squad had to do during the current tournament to and from their games, all of which were played in Ukraine, back to their base in Poland. Also, what if there were any issues with problems with transport, especially air and rail? Much better idea to have it held in either one or two countries IMO.

Italy won't mind Spain having the ball, I would imagine Spain will have to be super patient tonight. I fancy the Italians by the odd goal in 3

Best Spain have played all tournement. Much more enjoyable.

Spain fantastic so far tonight, Italy have done OK but have been outclassed. The 2nd goal was superb. Alba looks world class.

A masterclass in modern football from Spain - a lot more incisive and purposeful in their passing and attacking intent. That second goal was a joy to watch. The run from Alba, the awareness and pass from Xavi, the glancing first touch from Alba and a composed finish. Superb.

Let's see what Prandelli can muster at half time. He tinkered against England and they dominated afterwards. Can he do the same against the best team in the world?

Great tournament, rubbish final, and I don't mind the way Spain played either, they were awesome. For a neutral who wants a good, even game it was a big letdown

And seeing the way Ballotelli acted at the end I'm glad his side got dicked

Spain hadn't got out of 3rd or 4th gear all tournament but they were in 5th tonight and destroyed Italy who were a bit unlucky with injuries. Spain perhaps the greatest team in history.

Oh, I don't know.... I always like to see the Ities get a caning.

Well, when you put it like that... 😛