Euro 2012: Balotelli sinks Germany, Italy enter final
Striker Mario Balotelli struck twice to seal Italy's 2-1 semi-final win over Germany to leave the Germans' Euro 2012 ambitions in tatters while the Azzurri marched on to the final.
Striker Mario Balotelli struck twice to seal Italy's 2-1 semi-final win over Germany to leave the Germans' Euro 2012 ambitions in tatters while the Azzurri marched on to the final. (All AFP and AP Images)
Balotelli broke German hearts with a first-half header and sublime strike as Joachim Loew's inexperienced team - the youngest of the 16 at Euro 2012 - crashed out.
The 21-year-old Manchester City striker opened the scoring on 20 minutes, and added another in the 36th minute to take his tally to three in the tournament.
Balotelli's fist goal was set up by Antonio Cassano (seen here with his son) who ghosted through two German defenders and crossed for the striker to beat his marker Holger Badstuber and slam his header past Manuel Neuer.
