Spain stands on the brink of becoming the first national team in the modern era to win three consecutive major titles, but first they will have to get past an inspired Italy to become Euro 2012 champions.
Before a ball was kicked at the tournament, the Azzurri were hardly seen as favourites, but have gathered momentum with each passing match.
Much of the credit for their impressive performances has been rightly placed on veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo, but coach Cesare Prandelli deserves just as much praise.
The former Fiorentina boss has turned Italy into a side that now takes the game to their opponents, rather than one that sits deep and defends waiting to hit on the counter.
Opponents Spain - the reigning world and European Champions - have maintained their obsession with controlling the match by dominating possession, and have accused of being 'boring' in the process.
If dominating possession is boring, however, there would be plenty of teams who would be happy to wear that tag.
But cutting edge has been lacking, and coach Vicente del Bosque will be eager to inject more of a threat into his side but will not do so at the cost of maintaining control.
Head-to-head statistics
The Azzurri are unbeaten against Spain at major tournaments (penalty shoot-outs excluded), with three wins and four draws. Nevertheless, Spain advanced in their last knockout encounter in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 (0-0 after 120 mins, 4-2 after penalties).
Cesare Prandelli has faced Spain twice as Italy head coach and has yet to lose. Italy beat them in a friendly in August 2011 (2-1) before drawing in their opening game at Euro 2012 (1-1).
Spain have faced only 12 shots on target at Euro 2012. Half of those were against Italy in their opening game (6).
Italy and Spain have had the most shots at Euro 2012 - 99 and 86 respectively.
"As good as Mario Balotelli was for Italy in their semi-final win over Germany, I can still see him doing something stupid or sulking in the final.
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Euro 2012 highlights: Germany 1-2 Italy
"In many ways I'd like to see Italy win it because Cesare Prandelli has been tactically astute, he has got his players playing for him and I like the way his team plays.
"But this is Spain we are talking about.
"They will be set up to keep possession as we know they do and I am not sure Italy will see enough of the ball to impose themselves on the game in the way they have done in other games at this tournament.
PIRLO VS XAVI
Both of these outstanding players are key to their respective side's fortunes.
Pirlo has been the player of the tournament and it will fall on Xavi, being the highest midfielder for Spain, to shut him down when Italy have possession.
If Spain sits off as England did against the Juventus man, he is capable of hurting them from deep, but Italy will be equally aware of the ability of Xavi to cause them damage.
The Barcelona maestro had a quiet outing against Portugal but he is unlikely to make it two in a row.
His ability to exploit the space in between the lines will be needed if Spain is to play their way through the midfield diamond of Italy.
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