Xavi bullish over Spain's chances of ending 44-year wait for final glory

Spain thrashed Guus Hiddink's outfit 4-1 in their opening game but the Russians have recovered brilliantly, knocking out Holland in the last eight to set up a semi-final showdown with the Spanish in Vienna on Thursday.  

Big challenge: Spain's midfield playmaker Xavi insists his country can end their long wait for a major international title this summer

Eliminating world champions Italy on penalties to progress to the last four saw Spain, historically underachievers in the big tournaments, overcome a psychological barrier.

Now Luis Aragones' troops are convinced they can win their second European title following on from their 1964 triumph, when as hosts they beat the Soviet Union 2-1 in the final in Madrid.  

"Unlike Russia, we have believed in our chances right from the start and we are ready to get into the history books," said Xavi. 

"We are one step away from the final and we want to go all the way."  

Xavi added that he expects an altogether different encounter when Spain come up against Russia for the second time in the tournament.  

"The difference between our first game and this encounter is the fact that Russia have gained a lot of confidence having beaten Holland," he said.  

"Now they believe in themselves, having knocked out one of the favourites for the title and they are highly motivated.  

"Their first game was a hammer blow for them but I think as the competition has gone on, they have begun to impose their play and results have allowed them to believe in themselves."  

The Russians stunned Holland - and the footballing world - with a sublime performance to win their quarter-final clash 3-1 after extra-time on Saturday.  

"They beat Holland because they were physically stronger than them in extra-time," said Xavi.  

"You could see that Holland were tired and the Russians looked fresh."  

Whether Russia can pull off yet another surprise remains to be seen but Xavi believes Spain will be able to match Russia's strength.  

"I think we proved in our game against Italy that we are also in top shape physically," he said. "We have done a good job so far."  

The 28-year-old revealed Spain will not change their style of play to combat Russia's excellent counter-attacking.  

"We will continue to play with our philosophy," said Xavi. "We will dominate possession and play in attack.  

"I think the key will be to dominate possession and make sure we don't let them play the game they want to play."  

One of Russia's outstanding players has been Andrei Arshavin, who scored his team's third goal against Holland after teeing up Dmitri Torbinski for the crucial second, but Xavi admits Thursday's opponents are far more than a one-man operation.  

"There has been a lot of talk about Arshavin," said the Barcelona midfielder.   "But I think Russia is more about the team than a specific player.  

"But we must focus on ourselves and not on our rivals."