Spain reached the European Championship final for the first time in 24 years on Thursday with a convincing 3-0 win over Russia to set up a meeting with Germany in Sunday'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.” 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, which stretched its unbeaten run to 21 matches, will be attempting to be crowned European champion for the first time since its only success in 1964. Germany, which reached the final on Wednesday 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 was the better side again on Thursday, totally deserving its triumph because its midfield dominated and created plenty of chances for the front men. Russia, which improved enormously after that opening loss to Spain, never found the rhythm and verve that had seen off Netherlands in the quarterfinal 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. Enlarging Euro The final decision on whether to enlarge the Euro football championships from 16 to 24 teams will be taken at a UEFA executive committee meeting in Bordeaux, France, at the end of September. William Gaillard, special advisor to UEFA President Michel Platini, said that it was hoped that as many federations as possible would have their say before the executive committee voted on it. Lippi named Italy coach World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has taken charge of the Italy team again in place of Roberto Donadoni, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday. “Marcello Lippi returns to the helm of the national team,” an FIGC statement said. Donadoni was told at a meeting with FIGC President Giancarlo Abete earlier on Thursday that he was no longer wanted after the world champions' Euro 2008 quarterfinal defeat by Spain. – Reuters __
