Italy beat England on penalties to reach Euro 2012 semis

Gigi Buffon

Italy beat England 4-2 on penalties on Sunday after their Euro 2012 quarter-final match as both sides failed to produce a goal after 120 minutes of play.

The Italians won through to a semi-final against Germany in Warsaw on Thursday thanks to the winning penalty from Alessandro Diamanti after Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed for England.

Italy had the better of the chances throughout – a swerving effort from Daniele de Rossi hit the post after just two minutes setting the tone.

And they had a goal disallowed late on in extra-time when Antonio Nocerino saw his close-range header chalked off for offside.

England did have their moments and Italy keeper Gigi Buffon made a fine early stop from Glen Johnson.

Mario Balotelli then fired a close range effort too close to Joe Hart before Wayne Rooney astutely found Manchester United teammate Danny Welbeck, who leaned into his effort and fired over.

After the restart England had a let off as Hart saved from De Rossi and Balotelli before Riccardo Montolivo put the rebound over from point blank range.

England threw on Andy Carroll and Theo Walcott for Welbeck and James Milner on the hour in an attempt to regain the initiative in the face of increasing Italian pressure but neither side could find a way through.

There were few chances in the first-half of extra-time with Diamanti going closest with a cross hitting the post.

CHELSEA F.C. WINS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Nigeria`s Lampard displaying the trophy in Nigeria hours before the real Lampard displayed the real European Champions League trophy in Ikeja.

The prediction of the Nigerian supporters of Chelsea football club of England as the team to win this year`s (2012) champions league trophy came to manifestation this night as Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich on their soil via penalites. Victor Abraham a carpet retailer in Ikeja Lagos said even if it`s half zero, I know Chelsea will win this trophy. When asked why he was so confident about Chelsea`s victory over Bayern, he pointed at his shop and said if we don`t (Chelsea) win this trophy today (May 19, 2012) come to my shop and call me a bastard. You have not answered the question, why do you think Chelsea will win? Look oga he replied in Pidgin English saying wetin I talk Na him dey happen, Chelsea don win this one simple.

Another Chelsea fan Kehinde Coker also known as oldskool who works with Ikeja Local Government also said hours before the match that Chelsea will be crowned at the end of the day. Why? He said I believe in them. Hours before the match was played, Chelsea fans in Ikeja were already celebrating Chelsea`s victory in advance as a little boy in Chelsea`s colour displayed a trophy to symbolise Chelsea`s victory over Bayern Munich. Fortunately, hours after, the prediction of the Nigerian supporters came to past as Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich in Germany via penalty shoot out to win this year`s European Champions league.

Picture above is Victor Abraham, a carpet retailer in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

Kehinde Coker, believes in Chelsea

Chelsea supporters at Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria pose for photograph on May 19, 2012

A shop owner at Ikeja preparing to make good sales from Chelsea`s outfit.    

A Nigerian who supports Chelsea lying hopeless on the floor after Bayern`s Thomas Muller`s goal sinked into the net of Chelsea in the 83^rd minute of the game.

Chelsea supporters in Nigeria, celebrating their victory after  Didier Drogba successful penalty in a beer parlour where most Nigerian watch matches because power supply in Nigeria is a big luxury