Euro 2012: Day 16 as it happened

Well that's all from us for one more day of this Euros - tune in from 15:00 BST tomorrow where we'll bring you all the best build-up to the big one - England v Italy. See you there.

Calm, composed words from Laurent Blanc. Is that the new Spurs boss?

France coach Laurent Blanc: "Is a quarter-final France's level at the moment? I don't know.

"What I do know is that the best sides will be in the semi-finals, and France won't be."

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque: "I don't think it was an unfair result because they didn't really have any chances.

"We were in control most of the time. Matches like these are very intense and you have to concentrate very hard to win."

So before we go tonight, I want to make sure you're all in the right frame of mind for tomorrow night. Do we expect England to win? Do we hope they can win? Or do we think it's going to be a tense 0-0 game devoid of quality which will ultimately be settled by a penalty shoot-out which will be won by Italy?

Hits you hard Luke? You should have seen Jamie Carragher's reaction. He was devastated.

The managers are speaking to the press now. I hope Laurent Blanc has a pop at some of his players after that display, but I'm fairly sure he will instead heap praise on Spain. We all know Spain are very, very good but France did not make a real fist of that. Apart from a header from Mathieu Debuchy which landed on the roof of the net, I can't recall one effort on goal.

Xabi Alonso completed 99 passes on his 100th cap. With two goals to boot, not a bad day at the office for the former Liverpool man.

England haven't been in a semi-final for 16 years though Patrick. You have to cut us some slack.

I fear that England v Italy may not be the most gung-ho game of football either to be honest. Let's hope it packs more of a punch than that one.

So we now know three of the last four teams in Euro 2012. Spain, Portugal, Germany and England or Italy.

Confident?

Whoever Spain play, they will have most of the ball but they lack that zip going forwards at times. Contrast that with Portugal and Germany, who have shown in the last two days that they can counter-attack at real pace.

One thing is for sure, if Cristiano Ronaldo plays like he has in the last two games on Wednesday, then Spain are going to have to be much better to make it through to a third straight final in a major competition.

Steady on Rob. Spain aren't Greece.

They were not at their best tonight, apart from a decent opening 20 minutes or so, but Spain were still far too good for France. A poor game though, it has to be said.

Fernando Torres spins his man in the area and gets a shot off but it's well blocked this time.

Very disappointing from France this. They never really had a go at all.

Adil Rami heads it out. Dear oh dear. Bring back the group stage. Remember that? Full of exciting, entertaining football.

France have a corner!

I'm not sure Olivier Giroud has touched it yet.

France are having a lot of the ball now but there's no urgency. You would think they were 2-0 up.

So Olivier Giroud is the French Francis Jeffers then?

Fernando Torres is in on goal, he forces a fine save from Hugo Lloris but the flag was up. Torres has looked a threat since he came on.

Arsene Wenger has said the deal to sign Olivier Giroud was "90% done." Let's see if he can find the other 10% here and bag a goal.

There are 15 minutes left. We need a second goal here.

Spain may have this under control, but they are not their fluent selves from the first half hour. Dare I say that this is a bit dull?

Chance for France. Franck Ribery bursts into the area, his touch is poor and it appears to have gone too far but he somehow digs out a low cross-shot to the near post which Iker Casillas palms out just in front of Jeremy Menez. That was almost the leveller.

Spain get in behind through sub Pedro, and he cuts it across but it is nipped away from Fernando Torres. Spain look lively now.

There are just over 20 minutes remaining. Can France find a goal?

Jordi Alba gets forward for the first time in this half, and delivers another telling ball from the left which is well cut out at the near post with Cesc Fabregas waiting for it. The corner almost falls for Sergio Ramos as well.

All change for France then, as they are going for it. And they have to. The introduction of Pedro should wake Spain out of their slumber as well.

If Germany are watching this, and I'm sure they are, I'm not sure they'll be too worried by this Spain team.

France sense their time is now. Yohan Cabaye bursts into the area and his low cross is well cut out, with the Spanish defence looking all at sea for a minute. France ready two substitutes.

And that is the danger, as France almost level. Franck Ribery beats his man on the left and slings in a cross which Mathieu Debuchy heads powerfully onto the roof of the net. Wake up Spain.

France beginning to push on, I think Spain feel they have this one won. They've come out in a sloppy mood since the break.

I've heard better atmospheres at a major tournament, I have to say. This sounds like the annual pre-season friendly between Raunds and Northampton Town. A similar standard of play as well, obviously.

Yohan Cabaye does well to strip the ball from Sergio Busquets and set up a counter, but Karim Benzema's pass is poor and the move breaks down. Spain appear in no hurry to get a second. I would suggest sitting on a 1-0 lead for too long is a tad risky.

Alvaro Arbeloa has got so much space down Spain's right, but they don't want to give him the ball it seems. Eventually he gets it and it is worked back to Xabi Alonso, who shoots over.

Karim Benzema does five keepy-uppies on the run, his biggest contribution to the game so far, but Mathieu Debuchy fouls a defender when he receives the ball. Laurent Blanc must be waiting until the hour mark to make a change.

Xabi Alonso smacks a 50-yard pass out of play. What's that all about Xabi? We've seen nothing so far to suggest France are lining up any differently.

No changes at the break for France it appears...

You lot are hammering poor old Karim Benzema. Who do you think you are, Jose Mourinho?

Looking at the French bench, Laurent Blanc could turn to Samir Nasri, Jeremy Menez, Hatem Ben Arfa or new Arsenal man Olivier Giroud to increase his attacking options. I doubt he will though. Not yet anyway.

A quick shout that on tomorrow's 5 live Breakfast from 06:00 BST Nicky Campbell will be previewing England's quarter final against Italy.

You'll hear an exclusive interview with Uefa's vice president Geoff Thompson, and find out about the first ever English cricket team to tour Ukraine.

So all going to plan for Spain so far. They have never beaten France in a competitive game but they are in the driving seat here.

We are into stoppage time in Donetsk.

Didn't Spain win every knockout game in the last World Cup 1-0? And the Euro 2008 final. Boring, boring Spain...

Xabi Alonso's goal was the 20th headed goal at Euro 2012, and that's three more than any edition of the tournament. And they say number nines are a thing of the past.

France are having slightly more of the ball. Slightly.

It was a privilege reading that text Simon. There's hope for this country yet.

Lovely stuff again from Spain as Cesc Fabregas finds Andres Iniesta with a lob-wedge pass but some strong defending puts it behind for a corner. Gerard Pique has a free header from the corner but wastes it. A second goal before the break could be curtains for France.

We've got a Sheffield Wednesday attacking duo on commentating duties across the BBC tonight. If Waddle was putting in crosses and Bright was as static as Benzema, Hillsborough would have known about it.

With half an hour gone, I think France will be pleased only to be 1-0 down. We saw last night with Greece that you always have a chance at 1-0. If you do equalise though, don't ship three more goals in the next 10 minutes.

Yohan Cabaye lines up the free-kick and sends in a good effort, it tests Iker Casillas from range but the Spanish captain is able to turn it away. Casillas then juggles the ball from the corner but pouches it in the end.

Spain counter-attack in numbers and Cesc Fabregas almost feeds Andres Iniesta inside the area. This is only going to end one way at the moment. France are posing zero threat.

You must get fined if you take more than two touches if you play for Spain. They pop it about like nobody else.

Good spot Rishi. With no strikers to worry about, that front six of Spain are pulling France all over the place at times. France win a free-kick in a decent position but Karim Benzema wastes it, thumping it wastefully over the top.

Spain have kicked into gear. After a move of at least 25 passes David Silva twists and turns his way into the area and almost finds Cesc Fabregas with the cut-back.

That was Xabi Alonso's 14th goal for Spain, and he can't have had too many steaming headers at the back post. We didn't see that at Anfield too often. Cracking player though.

Plan B then France?

France are playing two right-backs, and it is showing at the minute, with all of Spain's attacks coming down their right. Alvaro Arbeloa is the out ball.

Here's the first real thrust from France. A nice backheel from Karim Benzema finds Franck Ribery, who plays it back to the striker but he can't quite get a shot off. They are not going to have much of the ball so will have to do better with opportunities like that.

Another crisp move for Spain sees Cesc Fabregas and David Silva combine brilliantly, but again it is Alvaro Arbeloa who is the free man running into space on the right, and the former Liverpool man makes a hash of his cross.

Spain do mix it up when they can though, and when Alvaro Arbeloa gets free on the right he looks to swing in a cross, but it's easy for Hugo Lloris to claim in goal. And with only Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta to aim at it would have to be some cross.

Fabulous midfield play between Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but the final ball toward Cesc Fabregas is just overcooked. I expect to say that a fair bit this evening.

Already this Spanish formation is causing France problems. It makes a traditional back four redundant as most of the time there is noone for Adil Rami or Laurent Koscielny to mark. They are going to spend the whole game wondering if they should be pushing into midfield.

Decent penalty shout for Spain! Xabi Alonso, winning his 100th cap tonight, floats a great ball over the top and Cesc Fabregas goes down under a challenge from former Arsenal team-mate Gael Clichy. Referee Nicola Rizzoli is not interested though.

Shoddy from Gerard Pique, who gives it straight to Yohan Cabaye. Cabaye tries to release Karim Benzema through the middle but the ball runs out of play. A chance for France that.

Yohan Cabaye is playing high up the pitch for France, the Newcastle man is looking to get close to Karim Benzema. As you'd expect Spain are having all the ball so far.

Cracking effort from Spain. They seem to have the bulk of the support. 7/10

Anthem time: A rather muted reception to the French anthem, excellent though it is. 6/10

The players are in the tunnel then. A reminder that the winner of this game will take on Portugal in the first semi-final on Wednesday back in Donetsk.

The French love a tournament ruck don't they?

France reporter Matt Spiro on BBC Radio 5 live: "The feeling is that these French players want to play for themselves too much. That is where the stories are coming from about the arguments in the camp."

I watched that game in 2006 in a service station on a motorway somewhere on the way to Munich, by the way. Don't ask.

Franck Ribery scored a peach of a goal when these sides met in the World Cup of 2006, it's about time he did something in a tournament again. No pressure Franck, but come on, pull your finger out.

The only striker on the pitch tonight is Karim Benzema, and the Real Madrid man is yet to score in this tournament. He is up against club team-mate Iker Casillas this evening. Can he find a way through?

Here's a bit of Mario Balotelli from earlier:

"I could be Peter Pan because I do things my own way and I'm a bit free.

"I could be Peter Pan but I think I'm more of a man than Peter Pan."

We've not had a goalless draw in this tournament yet. This is game 27. Spain are not playing any strikers. France are playing two right-backs. I'm saying no more...

Iker Casillas is winning his 135th cap for Spain tonight. He's only 31. Could the goalkeeper reach 200 caps? Frightening.

Fernando Llorente had a great season but I can see why he's not getting a run out. I just can't see him fitting into this system. He thrives on crosses and balls into the area, and he could be a passenger in this XI. Still, quite an option to have on the bench.

I've just seen the Spanish drummer there giving it large - Manolo he's called I think. I've been in his bar in Valencia. Lovely chap.

Yellow cards are not wiped out after the group stage. I repeat, yellow cards are not wiped out after the group stage.

Pepe Reina; Raul Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran; Jesus Navas, Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata, Pedro; Fernando Torres, Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Llorente.

There you go, there's a team from Spain's bench who I reckon would do a job in this tournament. You'd fancy getting through that flimsy midfield but there should be enough goals in that team to keep Rio happy.

Mathieu Debuchy, who I thought was excellent against England, is set to play further forward tonight in a midfield role. Laurent Blanc's tactical thinking will all become clear no doubt. How do Adil Rami and Laurent Koscielny go about marking up tonight though - not a striker on the pitch. They could be dragged all over the shop if they're not careful.

Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Jordi Alba are all treading a fine line for Spain tonight - a booking would rule them out of any potential semi-final.

For France, Mathieu Debuchy is the only man in the starting XI on a booking.

And that won't be easy. Spain have never beaten France in a competitive fixture.

Spain have not quite been at their best so far in these finals, but if anyone will fancy their chances against Germany it's the Spanish.

Germany have only lost four competitive games since the start of Euro 2008, and two of them have been at the hands of Vicente del Bosque and his men.

But first, they need to beat France.

Zinedine Zidane - what a player. His free-kick against Spain in Euro 2000 is on our website and is well worth another watch. Fabulous.

BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan on Twitter: "Spain v France from group games. First & second in Euro 2012 for possession, passes & shots, but Spain shoot in box lots more. pic.twitter.com/VmItcGkx"

Zinedine's 17-year-old son, Enzo Zidane, is on the books at Real Madrid and has played for Spain at youth level. Wonder who he will be cheering on tonight? There could be tears over the chorizo, or celebrations with the claret.

Spain and France have plenty of history in major tournaments, with one bald genius dominating the recent past.

Mr Zinedine Yazid Zidane. As fate will have it, the great man is 40 today. And there could be some split loyalties in Chez Zidane.

The knock-out stages are so often tense, nervy affairs, so we may struggle to get much goal action tonight. But the highest scoring game between these two was an 8-1 for Spain in 1929 in Zaragoza.

Gaspar Rubio got four. He was quite good.

We are hearing speculation that Fernando Torres has been left out by Spain tonight, who have reverted to their 'no strikers' formation which started against Italy. Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass...

Manchester City team-mates Samir Nasri and David Silva are all smiles together out on the pitch. We'll find out soon if Nasri has been dropped tonight, it's hard to tell from his chat with Silva to be honest.

The Spain team have landed. They could not look more relaxed. Fernando Llorente and Juan Mata make an odd couple trotting down the tunnel together - Mata is about two feet shorter than the giant target man.

France are playing in all white tonight, with Spain in their usual red. There has been a lot of pre-match specualtion that Laurent Blanc will play with two right-backs, with Samir Nasri making way. We'll find out for sure soon enough.

The French team has just arrived at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. Laurent Blanc looked very tense. But so would I if I was sending my team out to face David Silva, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi...

The first answers from Steve Wilson and Phil McNulty are filtering through...

According to BBC Sport's Gabby Logan, Mario Balotelli said during his press conference:

"I can be a man, or I can be Peter Pan."

Who knows what the context was for that quote, but it's a belter isn't it?

And a gritty 0-0 draw which helped England qualify for World Cup 98.

England haven't played Italy much at all in recent times. There have been several forgettable friendlies, a win at Le Tournoi where Paul Scholes announced himself on the international stage, and a third-placed play-off game at Italia 90. We've got highlights of that game on the website, they are well worth a watch if only to witness a horrendous offside decision to rob Italy of a late third goal. Honestly, it's incredible.

Sulaiman (below), I was in the exact same position the other weekend. I managed to persuade the family that I absolutely had to watch Spain v Italy as a matter of professional importance. Good luck.

We are still over two hours from kick-off in that Spain v France game, but we will confirm the teams for you as soon as we can.

Phil McNulty has been with the England camp throughout the tournament, so is well placed to offer some insight into the goings-on around Roy Hodgson's men, while Steve has seen plenty of matches so far. Keep those questions coming in.

There is an Italian press conference coming up with Cesare Prandelli and Mario Balotelli. Brilliant.

I'lll bring you any quotes I can from the maverick striker, but I fear that it may be all in Italian, and I do not possess the linguistic skills of Roy Hodgson.

I don't possess any of the skills of Roy Hodgson, to be honest.

There was no talk in that news conference of England's team selection for tomorrow, but the expectation is that Roy Hodgson will pick the same XI which started the 1-0 win over Ukraine.

So that is Wayne Rooney partnering Danny Welbeck in attack, with Ashley Young on the left and James Milner on the right.

You would back Mario Balotelli to score from the spot. That man relishes the challenge. Whereas the pyschological scars of a long list of England failures do seem to weigh heavy on the players' minds.

But then again here we are, 24 hours before England even kick-off, and we are discussing the prospect. Obsessed.

Italy's record in penalty shoot-outs is not great, but they did win the 2006 World Cup in a shoot-out. Would you fancy England's chances? Who would you pick as your first five takers?

A close game is predicted by pretty much everyone in Kiev tomorrow. Could we face another penalty shoot-out?

So what of England?

I get the feeling that expectations are rising steadily ahead of tomorrow's quarter-final with Italy...

And that is that for the news conference. That battle in midfield is at the front of everyone's minds it seems.

England captain Steven Gerrard: "I am very humbled to receive compliments comparing me to De Rossi and Marchisio and they are both threats. Myself and Scott Parker need to control the midfield and Italy have superb players in the middle.

"If they take control we will be in trouble."

England captain Steven Gerrard: "Andrea Pirlo is a world-class player but this game is not about me or Pirlo or Rooney or Balotelli. It's about England v Italy and I think the game is very even. It's a 50-50 match."

England manager Roy Hodgson: "The thing about penalties is that it is difficult to know what you are going to do. You don't know until late in the game if there will be a shoot-out or not. If there is a good taker on the bench you may want to bring him on for one who is not so good but we need to decide if the player is ready to come on or not."

It's refreshing to see Roy Hodgson not needing a translator to field questions in Italian isn't it? He is now answering one in fluent Italian.

England captain Steven Gerrard: "We have one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Joe Hart and he will go on to be the best in the world.

"His performances have been fantastic and he will be one of our key players against Italy. We need Joe to perform at his maximum level and he will be called upon to make a fantastic save in the match, maybe in injury-time or in a penalty shoot-out and we trust him to do that."

England captain Steven Gerrard: "Mario Balotelli is an excellent player and a very dangerous player. We will have to take extra care of him if he is selected. We are aware of all his skills and a lot of our players know him and we will have to contain him if he plays."

There has been a lot of chat in the build-up to this game comparing England to 'an Italian side.' It's safe to say Roy Hodgson did not like that comparison when it was put to him by an Italian journalist.

England manager Roy Hodgson: "We have had a video meeting, and before lunch tomorrow I will speak to the players and give them their final remainder and finally have our set plays meeting before we set off for the match.

"I don't know what they mean by saying we play like the Italian team. I need that explaining to me. I want to see the qualities people are referring to."

England manager Roy Hodgson: "I am not so certain it is such a different mentality in the knockout stages

"In the group stages there is always an element of knockout involved because one result can make a difference. It won't change our mentality."

Roy Hodgson has lost his shades for the press conference. He looks composed.

Here they come...

To those of you texting in early doors, full marks, but please PUT YOUR NAMES ON THOSE TEXTS. Thanks.

The media room is filling up with the great and good of English journalism - expect Roy and Stevie any moment now.

This press conference looks like being delayed - as every one I've ever been to has - as the players are still out on the pitch. Jordan Henderson appears to be the joker in the pack at the moment. That explains his selection then - he's obviously good for morale.

That news conference with Steven Gerrard and Roy Hodgson will be with you shortly. We are just seeing some pictures of the England boys checking out the Kiev pitch. I'm delighted to say that Hodgson has got the Aviators back on. Superb.

As it stands there are still five teams left who are intent on doing just that.

Shortly we shall hear from England boss Roy Hodgson ahead of tomorrow's quarter-final with Italy, before our attention switches to this evening's last-eight clash.

It should be a tasty one as well as Spain take on France...

Consider that a gauntlet thrown down.

Last night Germany rested their first-choice front three and still smashed Greece 4-2 to stroll nonchalantly into the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

It was a hugely impressive performance that should have given Roy Hodgson, Cesare Prandelli, Laurent Blanc, Vicente del Bosque and Paulo Bento plenty to think about.

Can anyone stop the Germans?