Euro2012: Italy upset Germany to reach finals

The 2012 European Championships is now in the semifinals with Germany taking on Italy at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland. Germany were impressive in their 4-2 win against Greece, while Italy needed a penalty shootout to win against England.


SEMIFINAL #2

Germany 1-2 (0-2) Italy
Goals: 0-1,0-2 Mario Balotelli (20',36'), 1-2 Mesut Özil (90+1')

A first half double strike from Mario Balotelli was enough for Italy to upset title contenders Germany 2-1 for themselves to reach the finals of the 2012 European Championships, where they now face defending champions Spain. In the process history did repeat itself as Italy continue to be unbeaten against Germany in official competitions.

Germany coach Joachim Löw made three changes to his starting eleven bringing on Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski and Toni Kroos for Miroslav Klose, André Schürrle and Marco Reus. Especially the induction of Kroos surprised many and the intention was to blokc Andrea Pirlo's area of operation, but for the first time Löw used a counter-strategy instead of relying on the strength of his own team.

Germany made a good start into the match with Hummel's chance following a corner cleared off the line by Pirlo, before a Barzagli/Buffon misunderstanding didn't give Germany the lead. Thereafter Italy slowly settled into the match and twice tested Manuel Neuer in the German goal before a Cassano cross was headed in by Balotelli in the 20th minute. But Germany weren't shocked and played on like before in search for a goal, but conceded a second in the 36th minute off a counter-attack with the strike of the tournament so far by Balotelli.

Germany were two goals down, but not beaten yet as Löw made two changes at the break bringing in Klose and Reus. And initially they created intense pressure on the Italians, who once more weathered the storm with the best effort coming from Reus and Lahm, but on both occasions they missed the target before a Reus free-kick was directed by Buffon against the crossbar. Germany had more of the ball, but they simply couldn't get their game together as they more and more relied on long-balls and crossed, which often didn't bother the Italians, who could have scored more through di Natale and Diamanti off counter-attacks.

In the 90th minute Germany got a penalty when Balzaretti handled in his own area and Mesut Özil took the penalty to give Germany their goal of the night a minute into extra-time, but it simply wasn't enough as Italy won 2-1.