MARIO BALOTELLI SINKS GERMANY

Balotelli, destroyed the Germans

Ghanaian born Italian striker Mario Balotelli sent Germany out European Championship as his two first half goals was enough to move Italy into the final of Poland and Ukraine 2012. The 21 year old striker scored the first goal in the 20^th minute of the first half and added a second in the 36^th minute of the same half with a thundrous shot that found the top right corner of German post.

Faced with a third straight semi final in major competiton, the Germans fought hard to come back into the game but the Italian defence proved to tough to crack. But their persistence paid off in the injury time after an Italian defender handled the ball inside the 6 yard box to gift the German machine a consolatory goal.

The Italian victory now sets up a mouth watering final match with Spain who got the better of Portugal in a penalty shootout.The final match will takes place on Sunday in Kyiev, the Ukrainain capital city.

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.