Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has praised his side's mentality following a 2-0 victory against Ireland in their final Euro 2012 group match.

Goals from Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli saw the Azzurri finish runners-up to Spain in Group C, on five points, to progress to the quarter-finals.

And Prandelli believes that Italy were worthy winners on Monday and has not set limits for the team if his players continue to show the same winning mentality.

"We wanted this victory so badly and I think we deserved to win and progress," he told Rai Sport after the game.

"The most important thing was that tonight we understood that we have to put a lot of determination into our game. We can achieve anything with this heart.

"In the quarter-finals we will have to show the same attitude. More important than the situations that we will come across will be showing the same commitment and spirit of sacrifice.

"We will always try to play good football, but we will try to be more clinical in attack."

Italy will play their quarter-final clash against the winner of Group D on Sunday, in Kiev.