Cesc marks the spot

Back of the net. Finally.

Spain are into the semi-finals of Euro '08.

Makes a change because they've usually choked well before this round.

Remarkably, the Spaniards progressed on penalties, which has never really been their strongpoint. Hmm, sounds like a team closer to home, doesn't it?

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas cooly slotted home the winning penalty although his job was made easier by his keeper, Iker Casillas, saving two spot-kicks. The combination saw Spain beat Italy 4-2 to make it through to their first major semi-final for 24 years.

That kind of sounds like a team closer to home as well, doesn't it?

After the game, Cesc declared that 'it could have been any other penalty that I had to take. From my point of view Spain deserved to win.

'This is for the fans who have come here in thousands.'

The Spanish team now meet Russia in Thursday's semi... having already spanked them 4-1 in the group stage.

The team aren't taking anything for granted - 'In no way do we now think that because we have already beaten Russia we will win easily in the semi-final,' declared Casillas – but their manager seems to think differently.

'I believe we can do more. We are convinced we can reach the final and win it,' declared Luis Aragones.

We're just happy that the Italians didn't scrape through again with their boring, negative play and holding out for penalties. Italy. Great food, great wine, lousy football philosophy.

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