Spain striker David Villa, who injured his leg against Russia, will definitely miss Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Germany in Vienna, the country's football federation said.

The team doctor had confirmed in Vienna at the end of Friday afternoon that Villa would almost certainly be out of the final but that he would do his very best to get him fit.

The federation said on their internet site on Friday night however: "Valencia striker David Villa, the top scorer at Euro 2008, is definitely out of Sunday's final." No further details were given.

Earlier on Friday, the federation confirmed that striker David Villa had a "slight thigh muscle strain" which would likely force him to miss the final.

"It is a small thigh strain," the Federation said in a statement after Villa, still tournament top scorer with four goals, had a scan at Vienna's AKH hospital.

Earlier, Spanish sports daily Marca quoted Villa as saying: "Now I am going to have to enjoy (the final) from the sidelines. To force myself would be stupid. I would go as far as to play even with an injury but this is a team effort. There are others who will do better at 100 percent fitness," he conceded.

Villa, who went off after 34 minutes of the 3-0 semifinal win over Russia and gave way to Cesc Fabregas, said he had suffered the injury earlier on in a sprint for a loose ball.

Villa's team-mates lamented his misfortune but said it would not affect the Spanish challenge.

"I think it will be difficult for him to be okay for the final. But we have different options," said Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

"We have enough cover for him and it will not be a big problem for us."

"That's one of the keys with us — we have different possibilities. Whoever comes off the bench is very important. It's a shame, though, that he will not be able to play the final, as he's been an integral part of things.

"I hope we can go on to lift the cup and he can participate in the occasion," Alonso said.

Dani Guiza, who scored the second goal in the semi-final win over Russia, is the natural replacement for Villa, whom he regards as an "important piece of the jigsaw. He's shown that throughout the Euros.

"It's a shame — but we have to keep going. The final is an important game but we have more players available," said the top scorer or 'pichichi' in La Liga with Mallorca in the season just ended.

"I don't know if I'll play the final — the coach will decide," added Guiza.

AFP

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