Source: Xinhua

06-23-2008 15:21

VIENNA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Spain coach Luis Aragones hailed the team's progression into the Euro 2008 semifinals after knocking out world champions Italy in a penalty shootout here on Sunday, despite their under-par performance.

"I think we deserved to win the penalty kicks," said Aragones, whose side held Italy 0-0 in 120 minutes and won the penalty shootout 4-2 after goalkeeper Iker Casillas blocked both spot shots from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale.

"Actually, we did not play good football. But Italy could only beat us on high ball. So we could defend them very clear," he added.

The coach contributed the victory to his midfielders and declined to complain the unfiring strikers.

"We just could do nothing when the ball wasn't quite there (for shots). But when you have been in quarterfinals and then in semifinals, the results were there. I think that's what really important," he said.

"(Marcos) Senna has a lot of work. And so did Carles Puyol. They covered each other for the whole game," said Aragones, giving particular praise to the midfield.

"Luca Toni has not gotten many chances though he's really good at high ball. We had everything. We have five players in midfield to block them," he said.

To the complains about the slow paces of the Spanish team in Italy game, Aragones admitted that "we didn't manage well to link quick."

Aragones also spoke highly of their semifinal rivals Russia, which booked a surprising berth to the last four on the expense of the Netherlands, the winners of the Group of Death.

"Russia is in the best moment of the Russian football. We gonna face really tough opponent," he said.

To predict the finalists, Aragones said: "Germany most probably get to the final. And for the semifinals, let's hope better teams win the games. I think it gonna be Spain (in the semi against Russia to win)," he added.

Editor:Zhang Ning