Italy fires national soccer team coach

ROME, June 26 (UPI) -- Italy has fired soccer coach Roberto Donadoni after a scoreless draw in a quarterfinal match against Spain at the Euro 2008 tournament eliminated his club.

Donadoni, who is paying the price for the failing to advance past the quarterfinals, said he was proud of his time in charge, which ended with a penalty shootout loss to Spain Sunday.

"Over the last two years my Italy side has done something good and one game can't change that," he said in a statement. "It was a stupendous experience and I would do it all again immediately. I would do everything again because I have a clear conscience for everything I have done."

His successor will be former national team coach Marcello Lippi, who guided the Italians the past two years.

Lippi led Italy to the 2006 World Cup title with solid victories against France in the semifinals and Germany in the title match.