It has been a long time coming but Spain's majestic players have finally put their penalty failures behind them after Sunday's dramatic spot kick win against World Champions Italy.

They will now face Russia in tomorrow's second semi-final - the team they beat 4-1 in the first game of the group stage two weeks ago. The difference this time though, and it is a big difference, is that the Russians will have Andrei Arshavin available.

In the third quarter-final on Saturday it was Arshavin who inspired Russia to a 3-1 extra time win against tournament favourites Holland. He had been suspended for the first two games but since his return his team have been inspired playing some of the best international football for some time.

Spain began the game with much the same style but in a tight encounter in Vienna on Sunday their attacking flair was stifled by a pragmatic Italian team minus their playmaker Andrea Pirlo. At no time did the world champions commit men forward and from very early on it looked as if penalties would decide this match. Spain, though, did try to win the match in normal time and any football of note came from them.

There had been much talk about the hoodoo of June 22 before this match as the Spaniards have lost at three major tournaments on penalties on this date. An early save, though, from Casillas put them on their way and after Buffon had put them back in the shootout he again saved an Italian spot kick. This left Arsenal's Fabregas to calmly score his penalty and send the Spanish fans into an excited frenzy - it had been their day at last.

They will have to put all this behind them for the semi-final as Russia are the improving side of the four going through and in Gus Hiddink they have probably the best international manager in the world. Their quick passing and constant movement will be a match for the Spanish flair and it should be an open and attacking game as long as nerves do not get the better of them.

The winner of this match will have to play either Germany or Turkey in the final and whilst it is no surprise to see the former in this place, it is the latter that have had a roller-coaster journey. The Turks had previously scored dramatic late winners against both Switzerland and the Czech Republic to get to this stage and again they were to leave it very late again against Croatia. In what was an uneventful quarter-final that had gone to extra time it suddenly lit up in the final two minutes when Croatia scored what looked like a last-gasp winner in the 119th minute.

However, this Turkish side do not know when they are beaten and a superb last-minute strike from Senturk drew the scores level and sent the game to penalties. The Croatians were so demoralised by this setback they never looked like winning the shootout and were easily beaten.

It is astonishing that Turkey, in their four matches to date, have led for only two minutes collectively - which just shows how late they have left their goals. Whether they will get the same breaks against a team such as Germany is another matter but they will leave us guessing to the end at least.

Germany had won the first quarter-final 3-2 against the previously impressive Portuguese and the scoreline was more comfortable than it suggests. Portugal defended so badly against crosses and they were short of any world class forward they did not deserve to go through against a decent, but far from world class, German team. Deco, the best player on the night did his best to inspire his team but he needed more of his team-mates to deliver, and particularly Ronaldo, but it just did not happen.

The Manchester United star can now concentrate on his transfer speculation that has dominated his team's presence in these championships and it is difficult to see how he can return to Old Trafford after the past few weeks. It has not been his 'finest hour' given the fantastic season he has had.

Germany, though, do what they do best ... which is progress through a tournament they have no right doing and they will fancy their chances against a depleted Turkish side and make another final this Sunday.

Who they will play is another matter and as both Russia and Spain are evenly matched it will probably come down to who plays best on the night and, more importantly, which of the star players find their most inspirational form. If it is Arshavin it will be Russia but if it is Torres and Villa then Spain may at last get their moment in the sun.