Italy praised by president Napolitano

"As usual, they were fantastic words from the president. He conveyed the importance of team spirit and generosity of the players and said this was being conveyed to the country," Italy coach Cesare Prandelli revealed at a pre-match press conference.

"I can't wait to read the letter out to the players," said Prandelli, who has taken Italy within a match of winning its second continental title.

Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon praised Napolitano as a great leader who supported the team.

"In troubled times somebody who is intelligent seems like a giant," Buffon said.

Napolitano seems like that. I have a lot of respect for him."

The squad has been invited to visit the president on its return to Italy - win or lose.

"I think if a team has showed the commitment that we have shown and has behaved well, they should be congratulated for that. That is the reason why we are being invited."

It was unclear if Napolitano planned to be at the game in Kiev.

Italy Prime Minister Mario Monti, by contrast, has already announced his presence at the Olympic Stadium.

Prandelli did not want to give away too much of the game, but said that there was no reason why he should change his style of play for the final.

He once again stressed that its opponent was the best side in the world.

"They have shown in the last few years that they are the best and they have always stayed true to their philosophy," Prandelli said.

"Spain's strength is not only their ball possession, but also how they win it back in their own half. But we will be positive and take the game to them."

The coach is not surprised that Mario Balotelli, who is considered a very volatile player, has performed so well at EURO 2012, where he has scored three goals already.

"He has found a set up where he can talk to great champions who have achieved a lot and won a lot. You have to be brave enough to take on advice. We were very clear with him on footballing terms and he has managed to put that into practice," Prandelli said.

Buffon said the team was similarly confident ahead of the game as it was on the eve of the World Cup final in 2006, when it beat France.

"The emotions are similar to Berlin and we have the confidence.

Now we have to be patient to see if we have the same result."

Buffon, who had predicted before the tournament that Italy would not win, said he had always stressed that Spain was a side that stood so much above the other teams.

"We are playing against that side in the final and now we will see how we fare."

He said he did not want to single out an individual Spanish player as they were all good. "It would be a lack of respect to others if I single out one. They have really dominated world football over the last six years."