Euro 2012: Balotelli double sinks Germany

Mario Balotelli scored two first-half goals to set the platform for the sensational 2-1 win over Germany and qualify for the Euro 2012 final against Spain on Sunday.


Germany was the favorite for the match but failed to produce the impressive form that they showed throughout the tournament. Poor defending, surprising lapses of concentration, gave Italy’s No 9 sight of goal.


Balotelli put Italy on the way when he directed Antonio Cassano's cross past Germany keeper Manuel Neuer then added a thunderous second from Riccardo Montolivo's pass.

Balotelli, along with the pass master Andrea Pirlo, was the inspiration but Italy's defenders and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon provided defiance and quality as Germany threatened in the first half then attempted to mount a recovery after the break.

Mesut Ozil's injury-time penalty provided the briefest anxiety for Italy, whose victory was confirmed moments later.


"This was the greatest night of my life and I hope Sunday will be better," Balotelli said.

Germany coach Joachim Loew says his players are distraught after the loss but says they will learn from the experience.

"The disappointment is great. Nobody is speaking in the dressing room. The players are crying," admitted Loew.
"I'm not going to question everything we've done. The team has great quality. It will continue to develop and learn."
Loew added: "We've had two great years.
"The team has really developed well. We won 15 games in a row but lost today against an incredibly strong Italian side, with a strong axis and two great strikers.