Casillas says Spain must throw off quarters hoodoo

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas said on Saturday his countrymen must throw off the hoodoo of going out of major tournaments in quarter-finals, a regular fate in recent years.

“We have to break once and for all this business of the quarters,” said the Real Madrid shot-stopper looking forward to Sunday's last eight tie against old rivals Italy.

Spain take on the world champions in Vienna on Sunday with the prize a meeting with either Holland or Russia, who were playing on Saturday.

“Italy are favourites as they have got to more finals,” said Casillas, with Spain only ever having landed one trophy – the Euro in 1964.

“We have to turn on the style and play the football we did in the group – but Italy is Italy,” said Casillas.

Spain topped their group with maximum points whereas Italy struggled to secure their passage behind their group winners Holland.

But Casillas and co have not beaten Italy in a senior tournament for 88 years.