Germany 1- 2 Italy: Balotelli Sees Italy Haunt Germany Again

Mario Balotelli wrote another remarkable chapter in his amazing career as he fired Italy into the UEFA EURO 2012 final with a two-goal salvo against Germany in Warsaw, winning the game 2-1. The Manchester City man rose to power home Antonio Cassano's 20th-minute cross to put the underdogs in front. Then he smashed an unstoppable shot past Manuel Neuer to double Italy's lead and take him joint-top of the Golden Boot standings. Mesut Ozil's last-minute penalty was not enough to prevent Germany's suffering their first defeat in a competitive game since their 2010 FIFA World Cup� semi-final loss to Spain two years ago. Indeed, it was their third semi-final loss in their past four tournaments, one of which, in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, came against tonight's opponents, who have still never lost to Germany in a competitive game, and now face Spain in Kiev on Sunday. "Balotelli was excellent, just like the entire team were," said Italy coach Cesare Prandelli. "I really believe that a team needs to have an idea in the way they play and he really subscribed to this playing style. He was high up the pitch and available and I think he put in a very good performance this evening."