ITALY’S EURO 2012 adventure ended in disappointment but coach Cesare Prandelli believes there are plenty of positives to be drawn from the tournament.

“We faced a national team that has continuity in its project,” Prandelli said at yesterday’s press conference.

“It’s a pity that we had two days less to prepare for the game than Spain and that is my only regret. But we have to recognise Spain’s superiority and their capacity to give continuity to results.”

Prandelli believes his national team is on the right path but still has a long way to go before they can follow Spain’s example.

“We need to have the strength to believe in our project even if we will find adversity,” Prandelli said. “We are a country with old ideas and we must find the courage to change. That will take time and perhaps we are not ready but when we are, we will win and win, with continuity.”

The former Fiorentina tactician replaced Marcello Lippi at the helm of the Azzurri after Italy’s embarrassing first-round exit from the 2010 World Cup.

Prandelli had the task of rejuvenating the national side with fresh talent after a generation of players retired while also bringing a new style of play.

The Azzurri received plenty of praise after eliminating one of the pre-tournament favourites, Germany, in the last four of the competition.

Italy put forth a dominant display and prevailed 2-1 to reach the final for the first time since 2000.

That victory was important for the country and for the sport.

Italy is struggling with the world-wide economic crisis while the Azzurri went into Euro 2012 with Italian football under the cloud of a second match-fixing scandal to hit the sport in the past six years.

“We must be proud of this squad,” Prandelli said. “We came to the European Championship saying ‘we want to change’ and the result in the final should not be an excuse.

“There is a great passion in us and a great will to improve and renew our football.

“This will has been contagious, we have given Italy something to dream about when we started the tournament without high expectations.”

Prandelli has confirmed he will respect his contract with the federation with his current deal ending after the World Cup in 2014.

“I’ve decided to stay because I can see that the federation, like me, want to change things,” he said.

“I am convinced that there is a desire for us to follow the path we want to take.”