Balotelli brace sends Italy into Euro 2012 final

Mario Balotelli scores his first goal of the match: photo EPA/ Bartlomiej Zborowski

The match at the National Stadium in Warsaw began well for Germany, with Italy floundering in the penalty box and Andrea Pirlo having to stand in for his goalie and nudge the ball right from the goal mouth.

But in spite of how dangerous Joachim Loew's team looked in the first fifteen minutes, Mario Balotelli was not going to miss his chances on Thursday.

An assured header twenty minutes into the match sent the Italian crowd into rapture.

Determined play from the Italian side, and fluid attacking moves from Germany seemed to point towards a nail-biting clash, but then Balotelli struck again, leaving the German fans shell-shocked.

Goalie Manuel Neuer simply didn't have a hope of deflecting Balotelli's lightning shot after the Italian striker managed to sprint round the German defence.

Such was Balotelli's delight that that he whipped off his shirt, with referee Stephane Lannoy reluctantly having to hand out a yellow card for the offence.

Now two goals ahead, Italy were not going to let this one slip.

Germany's fans recovered slightly from their shell-shock in the second half, singing throughout.

But Loew's side couldn't deliver the goods, and the excitement of the first half began to fizzle out.

A penalty by Mezut Ozil two minutes into extra time was simply too late to make the difference.

Italy goes forward, and Poland bows out from its role as co-host of Euro 2012 fixtures. (nh)