Vienna - Confident Spain are preparing for a Euro 2008 semi- final date against Russia following a penalty shoot-out win over Italy while the recriminations started in the Azzurri camp with coach Roberto Donadoni's position already under fire.

Spain deservedly progressed 4-2 on penalties over the defensively- orientated world champions following a tense game which finished goalless after extra-time in Vienna.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas was the Spanish hero, saving penalties from Daniel De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale.

The Real Madrid star hadn't saved a penalty since the quarter- finals of the 2002 World Cup when Spain crashed out in a shoot-out against South Korea.

"In that quarter-final Korea knocked us out, this time we were lucky against Italy," said Casillas.

The loss to Korea was just one of a series of disappointments for Spanish teams at big tournaments, stretching back almost 25 years.

The last time Spain made it past the last eight at a finals was at Euro 1984 when they got to the final before going down to hosts France.

Casillas admitted luck played its part in the Ernst Happel Stadium on Sunday night and that Spain would not be underestimating Guus Hiddink's Russia side in Thursday's semi-final in the same venue - even though they thumped them 4-1 in the group phase.

"We were lucky to finally get past this quarter-final barrier but we would be stupid to think we will make it to the final now simply because we beat Russia 4-1," he said.

"We saw what they are capable of against Sweden and Holland and the semi will be a completely different match."

Spain coach Luis Aragones expressed his delight at progressing but was critical of his team's inability to score in 120 minutes of football.

"I think we deserved to win in the penalty shoot-out," he said.

"Neither side played good football. We should have had more pace in our game and we certainly didn't impose ourselves."

Like Casillas, the 69-year-old said he wouldn't be underestimating Russia.

"They are in top form at the moment because this is the time in the season when Russian football is at its best," he said. "It will be a difficult tie because they are a very, very good team."

In contrast, Roberto Donadoni cut an isolated figure as he faced the media after failing to lead the Azzurri to the last four, thus possibly activating a clause in his recently extended contract with the Italian football federation FIGC.

Before the tournament, Donadoni, who took over in 2006 from World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi, signed a new two-year contract with Italy until the 2010 World Cup. However, the deal included an escape clause if Italy failed to make the semi-finals in Austria and Switzerland.

"I have to accept any decision. I don't know what else I can do," he said.

"Everyone knows about the clause in my contract, but I am quite relaxed about it. Whatever the federation decides is fine by me."

FIGC President Giancarlo Abete said ominoulsy that a decision about Donadoni's future would be made "in the coming days."

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also refused to be drawn on his coach's future saying "this is not my decision and quite frankly, you should not even ask me such a question." (dpa)