KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — It's the final day of Euro 2012, with Italy and Spain going head to head for the cup. Follow the best of the action, photos and pre-match buildup here. Want to have your say? Contact (at)phillipsian and (at)simonhaydon via Twitter. All times are Ukrainian.
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2253: Another chance for Di Natale but his shot goes straight at Casillas. Just before that, Italian defender Abate made a last-gasp interception to deny Spain a third. Iniest was there to pounce but the Italian managed to stab it clear. Exciting game!
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2248: Di Natale on for Cassano and has an immediate chance seconds after the re-start but he heads over the bar. The Italians are going to need to do something really special to get back into this game.
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2232: HALF-TIME: Spain 2, Italy 0. A great opening 45 minutes from Spain. Beautiful, slick passing and a far more attacking attitude than in previous matches. They've still got no recognized striker out there, but does it matter? They find themselves 2-0 up and with one hand on the cup.
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2230: A goal kick leads to the second goal as fullback Alba makes a 40-yard run into the box to take a pass from Xavi Hernandez and calmly slide the ball home for his first goal for Spain.
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2228: GOAL! Spain 2, Italy 0 (Alba).
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2223: Spain's intricate passing game is being loudly booed — either by anxious Italian fans or Ukrainians who don't appreciate the subtlety. But the Spanish are gradually dominating possession as they have in previous games. But don't forget it takes just one goal to change everything. 35 mins gone.
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2214: The midfield is packed with bodies but both teams are managing to break away with piercing attacks. Spain having the better chances but Casillas just gets fingertips to a cross to prevent Balotelli from adding another to his tally.
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2213: PaulLogoAP (via Twitter): Having Fabregas, not a traditional striker on, helped on Spain's goal; striker probably would have shot, Fabregas carried ball to goal line.
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2212: It's a yellow for Pique for a crude challenge on Cassano.
2210: Giorgio Chiellini is coming off for Italy. Looks as though it's a hamstring injury. Balzaretti comes on. That's going to seriously affect Italy. Chiellini is Pirlo's favorite target as an attacking wing back. Not so sure how ambitious Balzaretti will be.
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2205: Italy straight onto the attack after Spain's opening goal. A Pirlo corner is flicked on but Sergio Ramos gets a head to it to clear for a second corner, which is punched clear by Casillas. The game is opening up nicely.
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2203: It's a lovely flowing move from Spain after they'd threatened for a few minutes. Iniesta releases Fabregas with an inch-perfect pass down the right. Fabregas, squeezed by a defender, still manages a perfect pass back to Silva, who heads in from 10 yards into the roof of the net. Fourteen minutes gone here. Let's hope the Spanish continue this attacking display.
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2200: GOAL! Spain 1, Italy 0 (Silva.)
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phillipsian (via Twitter): Euro 2012 role reversal. The Spanish are attacking, the Italians packing men behind the ball. Has some of that criticism of Spain hit home?
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2157: Lovely passing by Spain to find space. The ball comes to Xavi on the edge of the box who blasts just over the bar. Spain showing some real attacking intent tonight.
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2152: Ramos has his eye on Balotelli here — and an arm. A cross comes over and the Spanish defender annoys Balotelli during a physical aerial challenge. A good open start to the final, with both teams attacking. If they play without the handbrake on, this could be a great game.
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2145: And they're underway at the Olympic Stadium, Spain kicking off.
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2143: Both goalkeepers tonight — Casillas and Buffon — are captaining their teams tonight.
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2142: Buffon's a great goalkeeper, but a singer? Eyes closed, roaring out the words of the national anthem again. Can't accuse him of lacking passion, could do with some tone practice, though.
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2055: Cesc Fabregas will lead Spain's attack, with recognized strikers Fernando Torres and Alvaro Negredo starting on the bench. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli makes just one change from the semifinal win over Germany, with right back Ignazio Abate returning from injury to replace Federico Balzaretti. Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano will lead Italy's attack in front of Andrea Pirlo.
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