It is not the final Uefa President Michel Platini would have liked to see.

While Spain – one of his favourites – did make it to tomorrow’s final of the Euro 2012 championships in Kiev after a penalty shoot-out against their Iberian rivals Portugal, the other nation Platini would have liked to see in the last game of the tournament, Germany, crashed out after losing to Italy.

As such, the two struggling European nations – in terms of economic difficulties – gave their citizens something to cheer about, although it will only be one of them which will ultimately celebrate victory tomorrow night.

Spain were expected to reach this stage. They are reigning world and European champions, and if they manage to win tomorrow, they will become the first nation ever to win three major competitions within a space of four years. They start off as favourites, not only because of their recent past and the fact that they have one extra day of rest, but also because their side appears to be more amalgamated and experienced.

The Spaniards have not conceded a goal in any of the knock-out stages in Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, and this gives them the edge over the Italians.

On the other hand, it is a surprise that Italy made it to the final. In the run-up to the championship, the azzurri appeared a disjointed side and seemed to lack the potential to make it this far. But, once again, the Italians showed grit and determination and, rather surprisingly, a type of attacking football that they are not renowned for.

They beat England on penalties but after dominating for 120 minutes, and scored twice against the Germans – and could have added others – in matches that the azzurri controlled almost all throughout. That the Germans are still to beat Italy in competitive matches is a feather in the azzurri’s cap.

Finals are normally not entertaining matches, as the teams involved take extreme care in their defence and do not take unnecessary risks. It is hoped that tomorrow will be an exception.