Sports

Holders Spain will be given their sternest Euro 2012 test yet against Iberian rivals Portugal and their in-form forward Cristiano Ronaldo in the first semi-final later on Wednesday.

All eyes will be on Spain coach Vincente del Bosque to see if he continues his policy of not starting with a striker. Del Bosque is considering changing his side for the semi-final with striker Fernando Torres and winger Pedro being mooted for starting berths.

Vicente del Bosque's men will undoubtedly look to contain Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo as the world champions look to reach their third consecutive final.
Ronaldo is not the only Madrid player Spain are set to come up against tomorrow night, with defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao also key members of the Portugal side.

Those three, along with Spanish quintet Arbeloa, Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol, helped Madrid last season, win their first Primera Division title since 2008.

Spain's performance against France in their 2-0 quarter-final win was viewed in many quarters as lacking in attacking intent with their possession football failing to provide much in the way of a spectacle.

Spanish football players trained at the Kirsha training centre in Donetsk, Ukraine, ahead of the semi-final clash with Portugal. Ironically the training base was France's base camp until they were beaten by the Spaniards in the quarter-finals.