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Okay, okay, I know Spain don't have a good record in big tournaments and Italy are the World Cup Holders, but I've just got a feeling that Spain can do it tonight, especially as Italy are without their main playmaker and free-kick taker, Pirlo, through suspension... I've placed a bet that Spain will win in normal time 2-1. Hope my heart is right and my head is wrong...

Also, put a few quid on David Villa to score first...

10 minutes: A bright start by Spain, who are keeping the ball well but finding it difficult to find any chink in the Italian's well organised defence. One slight annoyance is the yellow card for Iniesta... The ref's obviously not prepared to tolerate any mischief tonight.

20 minutes: I feel Italy are definitely feeling the absence of Pirlo and Gattusso, both suspended as their midfield look a little lightweight to me. Perotta has hardly been in the game and Toni hasn't had a sniff! I hope just hope the Spanish can find something to breach that defence.

25 minutes: Villa almost sneaks a free kick round the wall and to the left of Buffon, but the Italian keeper manages to scramble across and save comfortably in the end. Italy getting into the game a bit now...

35 minutes: Couple of shots from Silva and Xavi in the last few minutes so Spain are finding gaps here and there, albeit from a long way out. Will Toni actually score in this tournament? Maybe I should have bet on that!

40 minutes: Toni finally gets a half chance after a decent cross from the left. It bounces off a Spanish head though and the Spanish make a break down the left with Torres, who superbly outwits Zambrotta but has his shot blocked. Silva picks up the ball and narrowly misses the right of the goal with a shot along the ground that looks to have Buffon slightly worried.

Half Time: Not exactly the most interesting half of football you're likely to see, although Silva was robbed of a free-kick and accused of diving by the ref towards the end there, so that made for a spot of controversy at least.

50 minutes: Iniesta got a great ball just outside the penalty box but manages to mis-control the ball! Silva has another chance of a shot on goal and it looks like Spain are keen for an early second-half goal here. Toni has a great chance to head Italy ahead but he misses and is just ruled off-side anyway.

55 minutes: This is increasingly looking like nil-nil. The Italians are playing like the arsenal of old - defending with everything and flicking the odd ball up to Toni to see if he can use his height advantage and nod one in. Spain are playing everything on the deck but can't seem to find a way through.

60 minutes: Marvellous save from Casillas keeps the scores at nil-nil after a bit of ping-pong in the penalty area culminates in a shot from Cameronesi (I think?)

Full Time: Too much drama to keep updating here. Both of my bets are now duds! Still, extra time looks like it could be more interesting with the introduction of Fabregas for Spain.

Spain win on penalties!