Euro 2008

By Simon Baskett

VIENNA, June 27 (Reuters) - Spain are confident they can cope with the absence of leading striker David Villa for Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Germany in Vienna.

The 26-year-old, who is the top scorer at the tournament with four goals, was forced off late in the first half of Thursday's 3-0 semi-final victory over Russia with a thigh muscle injury. He is almost certain to miss the final.

The team doctor told the Spain press officer on Friday that tests carried out at a Vienna hospital showed the striker had suffered a minor injury to the muscle.

The players remained upbeat about the side's chances of winning a first trophy in 44 years despite Villa's likely absence.

"It is going to be difficult for him to be fit for the final," midfielder Xabi Alonso told reporters after a recovery training session in Vienna.

"He had a strain in his hamstring and probably won't be available. Whoever is playing I think we have different options... and have enough courage to have a good system and it won't be a problem for us."

Fellow midfielder Santi Cazorla agreed with Alonso.

"You can cope with anything and we've got great players in all positions and whoever plays will do their job well and we hope it won't affect us," he said.

"We have to keep faith with the same footballing philosophy we've shown up until now. We hope to maintain the level so that we end up as champions."

Alonso said one of the most important factors in Spain's success was a powerful team spirit as they bid to repeat their European championship success of 1964 - their only major trophy.

"Of course we don't know how it worked 44 years ago," he told reporters.

"But having been here a month with the boys sharing a lot of moments, the group has been fantastic and we have a great atmosphere in the changing room and that is one of the keys for the success at the moment."