WARSAW: The striker Mario Balotelli scored twice to seal Italy's 2-1 semifinal against Germany on Thursday to leave the Germans in Euro 2012 ambitions tatters, while the Azzurri to the final march.
The 21-year-old Manchester City star broke German hearts with a header in the first half and the sublime strike inexperienced team, Joachim Loew, - the youngest of the 16 at Euro 2012 - could not street address as Cesare Prandelli, Italians.
A penalty from Mesut Ozil proved no more than a score of consolation for the Germans whose 16-year wait for a major trophy continues.Italy are now in the final on Sunday in Kiev to meet defending champions Spain with the Italians who aspires to win their first European crown since 1968.
The victory in the National Stadium in Warsaw means Italy maintained their impressive record of never having lost to Germany in a World Cup or European Championships at its eighth meeting in a major tournament.
After losing three of their forwards for last Friday's 4-2 quarter-final victory over Greece, Loew again tinkered with his starting lineup, but this time back-fired as the Germans lacked an effective plan B when things went wrong.
Lukas Podolski joined Arsenal was dragged off half the time, striker Mario Gomez also led to 34-year-old veteran of Miroslav Klose after the break, while Toni Kroos barely troubled the Italian defense from the right. Germany had a couple of golden opportunities early on, but the Italians soon took hold and after Riccardo Montolivo tested German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Italy took the lead on 20 minutes.
Antonio Cassano ghost through two German defenders and went to Balotelli to beat his marker and beat Holger Badstuber his header past Neuer.It was the first time since the end of Euro 2008 Germany had fallen behind in a game European Championship after his ten victories in qualifying and his four victories so far at Euro 2012.The puzzled looks on the German lines story.Shaken told their own, the Germans tried to reassert Mesut Ozil and Gomez both in times of average waste, but the Italian captain Gianluigi Buffon stopped short at the finish before the Azzurri struck again.
A sublime pass Montolivo Fiorentina split the German defense and Balotelli gave him the space he needed to walk the last shot Neuer, 36 minutes.With surprised the Germans, Reus was quickly into action after replacing Podolski and tested Buffon with a good kick hit play.But an hour the Italians were to be deprived of their first European final since Euro 2000 defeat to France when Claudio Marchisio fired wide on 67 minutes and then again eight minutes.
Balotelli was replaced by Antonio Di Natale on 70 minutes and with time running out, Udinese lost a golden opportunity to advance to the German defense on hand all of Federico Balzaretti sea.A in the 92nd minute gave Germany the hope referee Stephane Lannoy brief and pointed to the spot and Ozil attacked the house of grief, but it was too little too late.
The Azzurri can now dream of denying the world and European champions Spain a third consecutive title at the Sunday.time big striker Mario Gomez also led the 34-year-old veteran of Miroslav Klose after the break, while Toni Kroos just worry about the Italian defense lane.Germany right had a couple of golden opportunities early on, but the Italians soon took hold and after Riccardo Montolivo tested the German keeper Manuel Neuer, Italy took the lead on 20 minutes .
The 21-year-old Manchester City star broke German hearts with a header in the first half and the sublime strike inexperienced team, Joachim Loew, - the youngest of the 16 at Euro 2012 - could not street address as Cesare Prandelli, Italians.
A penalty from Mesut Ozil proved no more than a score of consolation for the Germans whose 16-year wait for a major trophy continues.Italy are now in the final on Sunday in Kiev to meet defending champions Spain with the Italians who aspires to win their first European crown since 1968.
The victory in the National Stadium in Warsaw means Italy maintained their impressive record of never having lost to Germany in a World Cup or European Championships at its eighth meeting in a major tournament.
After losing three of their forwards for last Friday's 4-2 quarter-final victory over Greece, Loew again tinkered with his starting lineup, but this time back-fired as the Germans lacked an effective plan B when things went wrong.
Lukas Podolski joined Arsenal was dragged off half the time, striker Mario Gomez also led to 34-year-old veteran of Miroslav Klose after the break, while Toni Kroos barely troubled the Italian defense from the right. Germany had a couple of golden opportunities early on, but the Italians soon took hold and after Riccardo Montolivo tested German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Italy took the lead on 20 minutes.
A sublime pass Montolivo Fiorentina split the German defense and Balotelli gave him the space he needed to walk the last shot Neuer, 36 minutes.With surprised the Germans, Reus was quickly into action after replacing Podolski and tested Buffon with a good kick hit play.But an hour the Italians were to be deprived of their first European final since Euro 2000 defeat to France when Claudio Marchisio fired wide on 67 minutes and then again eight minutes.
Balotelli was replaced by Antonio Di Natale on 70 minutes and with time running out, Udinese lost a golden opportunity to advance to the German defense on hand all of Federico Balzaretti sea.A in the 92nd minute gave Germany the hope referee Stephane Lannoy brief and pointed to the spot and Ozil attacked the house of grief, but it was too little too late.
The Azzurri can now dream of denying the world and European champions Spain a third consecutive title at the Sunday.time big striker Mario Gomez also led the 34-year-old veteran of Miroslav Klose after the break, while Toni Kroos just worry about the Italian defense lane.Germany right had a couple of golden opportunities early on, but the Italians soon took hold and after Riccardo Montolivo tested the German keeper Manuel Neuer, Italy took the lead on 20 minutes .
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