Spain can be happy that Luis Aragones was not a man of his word.

Two years ago in Germany, the Spain coach announced he would step down if his team failed to progress past the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but when they lost to France in the last eight he did not quit.

Instead, he guided most of the same players through a successful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and now has them within one victory of the country's first major title since 1964.

"Aragones has taught us to believe it was possible," said Barcelona captain Carles Puyol. "He has been the first to be convinced that we as a team playing with a very clear style we could win."

The 69-year-old Aragones' main objective had been to survive the first knock-out game.

Spain have stumbled at that stage of major competitions on numerous occasions.

"We have an impressive team that have united," he said. "We came here with the idea of overcoming the quarter-final stages and we have achieved that."

Spain took many observers by surprise when shutting down Russia in the semi-final.

Guus Hiddink's team had been very impressive in their 3-1 quarter-final win over Holland but there were no match in the second half, when all three goals were scored.

It marked the first time since 1964 that a 3-0 result was registered at that stage of the competition.

"My team is in good form," said Aragones. "This is a very good time for us and I hope we can achieve something important."

Some coaches might have flinched after losing a player as Aragones did when David Villa left the game early with an injury against Russia.

The tournament top scorer will be unavailable for the final with a muscular problem.

"You always fear when you lose a player like Villa but I knew Cesc (Fabregas) could do an important job in midfield," said Aragones.

Arsenal's Fabregas is set to replace Villa having done an impressive job against Russia.

Although Spain have only beaten Germany once in a competitive game, in the 1984 European Championship, they will not be intimidated by Joachim Low's side and for good reason.

They have won all their five games, including knocking out world champions Italy, en route to the final game at the Ernst-Happel Stadium.

"We are psychological strong and I think that we are going to win," said Aragones.

"Germany have fast, quality players, but the team that wants to lift the title will have to go out from the start with a winning mentality."

Aragones will be looking to clinch his 34th victory in what will be his last game in charge of "La Seleccion".

The veteran tactician has already entered the history books after Thursday's triumph over Russia, becoming Spain's all-time wins leader as coach by surpassing Javier Clemente, who won 36 games in charge of the national team back in the 1990s.

There is no better venue than the city of Vienna for the third man to guide Spain to a major final.

"I am delighted for Spain, for the players and then for myself to have reached this point," said Aragones. "Now, the time has come for us to finish the job."

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