Manchester City's enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli provided Italy with the cutting edge as they beat Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2012 on Thursday. Balotelli scored two first-half goals as Joachim Loew's Germany failed to produce the impressive form that had seen them touted as potential tournament winners.
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.
Mesut Ozil's injury-time penalty provided the briefest anxiety for Italy, whose victory was confirmed moments later, and Balotelli fell into the warm embrace of an elderly Italian lady as he made his way down the tunnel.
The 21-year-old limped off with cramp late on - but his work was done and Italy can now look forward to a meeting with world and European champions Spain in Kiev on Sunday.
Italy's victory maintained their stranglehold on Germany - they are undefeated in eight competitive encounters that take in five matches at the World Cup and three in the European Championship.
And the scale of Italy's achievement is the greater for the fact that Germany had an additional 48 hours to prepare while Cesare Prandelli's side were going through after extra-time and penalties against England.
Italy will face Spain in the Euro 2012 finals
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