Having played out an entertaining draw in the group stage, Spain and Italy are expected to make for an enthralling Euro 2012 final.

While La Furia Roja are looking to achieve a historic success and lift their third consecutive title at major tournaments, the Azzurri hope to crown what was an impressive tournament for them.

After winning the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, Spain were always going to be one of the favourites for the trophy at Euro 2012, and they did well to overcome all the obstacles and reach the final.

Things were not going smoothly for Vincent del Bosque’s side as they first experienced huge problems in the group stage and then needed penalties to eliminate Portugal in the semi-finals.

La Furia Roja have also been dubbed as boring as the team appear to be more interested with keeping the ball possession than scoring goals.

However, all this will be quickly forgotten if Spain lift the title in Kyiv, and they are 1.57 (4/7) with Bodog to beat Italy to the coveted trophy. La Furia Roja are 2.20 (6/5) with Sportingbet to triumph in regular time.

It was Alvaro Negredo who started as a lone striker against Portugal, but the odds are that Cesc Fabregas will be given the nod in the final.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Casillas – Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba – Xavi, Busquets, Xabi Alonso – Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta.

Italy have been the surprise package of the tournament, even if that may not be the right way to talk about one of the most successful national teams in history.

Nonetheless, everything that has happened just before the start of the European Championship saw the Azzurri not being mentioned as one of the candidates for the title, but the doubters were soon made to eat their words.

The impressive showing in their opening game against reigning champions Spain hinted Italy are not only completely prepared for an assault on the title, but also that they plan to go all the way playing attractive attacking football.

Doubts again started to arose when the Azzurri needed a favour from Spain in order to progress from the group stage, but once they were through nobody could stop them any more.

Italy proved their worth by eliminating England and Germany, and they thus fully deserved their place in the final, with La Furia Roja probably wishing they had played out that 2-2 draw with Croatia.

With key players Balotelli, Cassano and Pirlo on top of their game at the moment, odds of 2.50 (3/2) offered by bet365 on Italy to win the Euro 2012 look too good to pass. The Azzurri are 3.90 (29/10) with BetVictor to triumph in regular time.

Cesare Prandelli will have fully fit squad to choose from after Antonio Cassano and Ignazio Abate recovered from their respective injuries, with Christian Maggio back from suspension.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Buffon – Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini – De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio – Montolivo – Balotelli, Cassano.