Euro Final

Stingy Spain worried about Balotelli, Italy

Kiev: Stingy as it may be, Spain's defenders are still a little worried about their rematch with Mario Balotelli and Italy in the European Championship final. Spain's bid to win a third straight major title comes Sunday at Kiev's Olympic Stadium, where the Mediterranean rivals meet for a second time, after starting Euro 2012 with a 1-1 draw.

Spain haven't conceded since then and have reached the final with the fewest goals conceded since West Germany went on to win the tournament 40 years ago. In fact, Spain's defense hasn't been breached in its last nine knockout games.

After Balotelli scored twice in his team's 2-1 victory over Germany in the semifinals, defender Sergio Ramos said Friday "it would be a lie to say I'm not worried about them but we are not obsessing over" Italy.

"They are where they are today because of the way they've played," Ramos said at Dynamo Kiev's stadium. "They really took the game to us, led by two strikers as they looked to hit us on the counter. We can't start worrying about them, we have to stay calm and stick to our philosophy of play....more    

Fabregas, Ramos unfazed by Balotelli

Kiev: The threat of Italy striker Mario Balotelli and the prospect of an unprecedented treble occupied Spain's Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Ramos before Sunday's Euro 2012 final but neither thought those obstacles too big to overcome. Spain face the Italians at the Olympic Stadium bidding to become the first national side to win three successive major honours following their triumphs at Euro 2008 and the World Cup in Spain two...