Germany vs Italy Euro 2012 quarter final: Live scores, blog
Roar Guru By Matt Bungard, 29 Jun 2012 Matt Bungard is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger
The final for Euro 2012 will be known in a few hours time when powerhouses Germany take on Italy for the right to play Spain on the weekend.
Italy completed England’s traditional rite of passage on Monday morning with a penalty shootout victory over the Three Lions, but it would be remiss of me to not point out just how dominant the Azzurri were.
Germany were at their brutal best with a 4-2 win over Greece, but again, the final score isn’t a reflection of just how good the winning team was.
Proving just how versatile the Joachim Low’s squad is, there were a host of changes including top scoring Mario Gomez starting on the bench – but it’s not a bad luxury to have Miroslav Klose leading the line in his stead, and the Lazio man continued his brilliant form for the national team, grabbing the 64th goal of his international career.
One stat that I’ve been hearing a lot this week (and no doubt the Germans have too) is that Germany have never beaten Italy in a major tournament. If ever there was a chance for that to change, it’s now. This German team have been red hot favourites throughout and face by far their biggest test of the competition.
Italy, despite coming into the competition with little fanfare are now just one game away from a final, against a team that already had to come from behind to take a point from them earlier in the tournament.
Will it be shades of the 2006 World Cup semi-final when Italy snatched it in extra time, or will the Germans finally break the curse? We’ll find out in a few hours.
Join us just before 4:45am for all the line-ups, team news and formations.
The Crowd Says (90) | Page 1 of Comments
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1:58pm
Brian said | 1:58pm | Report comment
Another example of the amazing Italian 6 year cycle, turn up as world beaters once every three tournaments
82 – No expectations – Win World Cup
84 – High expectations – rubbish – group stage
86 – Old Squad – disappointing – 2nd Round
88 – No expectations – great effort unlucky to go out in SF
90 – High expectations – disappointing SF (hosts)
92 – Old Squad – don’t qualify
94 – No expectations – great effort lose final to Brazil in a shootout
96 – High expecations – rubbish – group stage
98 – Old Squad – disappoint lose in QF
00 – No expectations – Best team of the tournament unluckly to lose final
02 – High Expectations – disappoint 2nd Round
04 – Old Squad – group stage
06 – No expectations – Win Wolrd Cup
08 – High Expectations – rubbish lose QF
10 – Old squad – group stage
12 – No expectations – finalist at this stage?
6:40am
Matt Bungard said | 6:40am | Report comment
FULL TIME
GERMANY 1
ITALY 2
6:41am
Matt Bungard said | 6:41am | Report comment
I have to say, I did not expect this result. Italy were clinical and very calm at the back all night, and that was enough to see them through against a much more fancied German side…and now a team that not many people expected to do much in this tournament will take on their Group C opponents in the final!!
Germany added a late consolation and there was some last second drama obviously, but it wasn’t enough in the end. Some very slack defending, especially on the second goal was ultimately the difference and the Italian hoodoo over Germany continues!!!
What a game this was. Hopefully the final is just as good. Pirlo was brilliant again and he has hands down been the player of the tournament. I’m going to bed for a couple of hours, thankfully.
Feel free to send us a tweet @TheRoarSports or myself @TheMattBungard – let us know your prediction for the final, and any other thoughts you have. Thanks again for following along.
6:47am
Stevo said | 6:47am | Report comment
Thanks Matt and what a game! Congrats to Prandelli and crew and where were the Germans? Final could be a ripper just like the first game between the two teams.
6:54am
Stevo said | 6:54am | Report comment
I’m sure Lygon St has gone off
6:39am
Matt Bungard said | 6:39am | Report comment
95th min, ITA 2-1
Free kick on halfway, they’ll try to lump it in. Neuer is up, everyone is up….but the whistle goes!!!! IT’S ALL OVER!!!!
6:38am
Matt Bungard said | 6:38am | Report comment
94th min, ITA 2-1:
Hummels into the book for dissent.
6:37am
Matt Bungard said | 6:37am | Report comment
93rd min, ITA 2-1:
Throw-in for Germany in an advanced position…
6:36am
Matt Bungard said | 6:36am | Report comment
91st min
PENALTY TO GERMANY!! A HANDBALL!!!
6:37am
Matt Bungard said | 6:37am | Report comment
It was against Balzaretti. Ozil steps up…
AND SCORES!!!! OVER THE OUTSTRETCHED ARMS OF BUFFON!!!
Surely not….
6:38am
Stevo said | 6:38am | Report comment
No worries, Italians are masters of closing it down from here.
6:35am
Matt Bungard said | 6:35am | Report comment
90th min, ITA 2-0:
Another great save from Buffon!!!
The corner is in with Neuer up from the back, and Ozil shoots wide.
6:33am
Matt Bungard said | 6:33am | Report comment
89th min, ITA 2-0:
Thiago Motta in the book now…
6:32am
Matt Bungard said | 6:32am | Report comment
88th min, ITA 2-0
A hopeful cross in from the right, smothered by Buffon.
A miracle needed now for the Germans!!!
6:30am
Matt Bungard said | 6:30am | Report comment
86th min, ITA 2-0:
Reus plays a one two with Muller and surely the youngster would have put it away if not for a last ditch tackle from Balzaretti!!
The corner is played to Kroos on the edge of the area and he puts it over.
6:28am
Matt Bungard said | 6:28am | Report comment
84th min, ITA 2-0:
Chiellini clears it away for another corner.
6:29am
Matt Bungard said | 6:29am | Report comment
Balzaretti hoofs it clear now…but a cross comes in and again it’s away for a corner, this time off the head of Bonucci!
6:28am
Matt Bungard said | 6:28am | Report comment
84th min, ITA 2-0:
De Rossi in late on Schweinsteiger and he’ll go into the book.
6:27am
Matt Bungard said | 6:27am | Report comment
82nd min, ITA 2-0:
Di Natale on the counter, he springs the offside trap and dribbles unopposed towards goal but he finds the side netting!! Another big chance to seal the game goes begging.
Thirty seconds later Balzaretti does put it in the back of the net but he’s offside!!
6:26am
Matt Bungard said | 6:26am | Report comment
81st min, ITA 2-0:
Another strike from Diamanti but it’s wide. Time running out, though…
6:28am
Stevo said | 6:28am | Report comment
Germans are gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6:24am
Matt Bungard said | 6:24am | Report comment
80th min, ITA 2-0
That sat up nicely for Kroos but he blazed it miles over the bar.
6:23am
Matt Bungard said | 6:23am | Report comment
79th min, ITA 2-0:
Pirlo with another beautiful cross-field pass, it finds Diamanti in space but he slips at the key moment.
6:25am
Stevo said | 6:25am | Report comment
Sublime might be the word with Diamanti reading the pass superbly
6:21am
Matt Bungard said | 6:21am | Report comment
77th min, ITA 2-0:
Another corner for Germany. They need something soon…
6:22am
Matt Bungard said | 6:22am | Report comment
Headed over the top by Hummels!
6:20am
Matt Bungard said | 6:20am | Report comment
75th min, ITA 2-0:
Massive chance for Italy – Marchisio completely skins Lahm, elects to shoot with an unmarked man square in front of goal and he puts it wide. But surely that won’t come back to haunt the Italians?
6:18am
Matt Bungard said | 6:18am | Report comment
73rd min, ITA 2-0:
Germany starting to lose their bundle here and resorting to long balls. Less than 20 to go for Prandelli’s men.
6:16am
Matt Bungard said | 6:16am | Report comment
71st min, ITA 2-0:
Germany will make their final change, defender for forward. Boateng off, Muller on.
Can the WC 2010 top scorer be the hero for the Germans?
6:14am
Matt Bungard said | 6:14am | Report comment
70th min, ITA 2-0:
Final change for the Italians. That man Balotelli is off, Di Natale is on.
6:13am
Matt Bungard said | 6:13am | Report comment
68th min, ITA 2-0:
Germany STILL kicking the ball out when opponent’s go down injured. Balotelli down with a cramp.
6:12am
Matt Bungard said | 6:12am | Report comment
67th min, ITA 2-0:
Marchisio flashes wide from the edge of the area! Similar spot to where Balotelli shot for his second goal, different result.
6:10am
Matt Bungard said | 6:10am | Report comment
66th min, ITA 2-0:
Diamanti tries a shot from halfway, but it’s well wide and Neuer got back, anyway.
6:08am
Matt Bungard said | 6:08am | Report comment
64th min, ITA 2-0:
Montolivo is off, Thiago Motta on. Italy going more defensive for the last 25 minutes as Germany have looked much more lively in the second period.
6:05am
Matt Bungard said | 6:05am | Report comment
61st min, ITA 2-0
Kroos is hacked down just outside the area by Bonucci. Big chance from the dead ball here..
6:06am
Matt Bungard said | 6:06am | Report comment
It’s Reus with the free kick and it’s tipped over by Buffon!!
6:08am
Stevo said | 6:08am | Report comment
Excellent free kick from Reus and save from Buffon. Buffon’s shaken off the 1st half ‘nerves’
6:04am
Matt Bungard said | 6:04am | Report comment
60th min, ITA 2-0:
Balotelli tries a shot from an ambitious angle and it curls away from the far post and wide by about a metre.
6:03am
Matt Bungard said | 6:03am | Report comment
58th min, ITA 2-0
Boateng’s cross found Klose, but he couldn’t get good contact on the header and it’s harmlessly wide for a throw in.
6:02am
Matt Bungard said | 6:02am | Report comment
58th min, ITA 2-0
Cassano will come off, on comes Diamanti.
6:01am
Matt Bungard said | 6:01am | Report comment
57th min, ITA 2-0
Klose played into the area up the other end, a great sliding tackle from Bonucci prevents him from getting a shot away but they do get a corner…
6:02am
Matt Bungard said | 6:02am | Report comment
It’s cleared away again,though.
6:01am
Matt Bungard said | 6:01am | Report comment
56th min, ITA 2-0:
Schweinsteiger with an errant backpass that goes straight to Cassano, but thankfully for the Bayern midfielder the covering defenders deal with it.
6:00am
Matt Bungard said | 6:00am | Report comment
55th min, ITA 2-0:
And how has that not gone in?! A great run from Ozil who got right to the byline inside the penalty area, cut it back for Khedira but he’s swarmed by blue shirts before he can apply the finish.
5:57am
Matt Bungard said | 5:57am | Report comment
52nd min, ITA 2-0:
Cassano with another decent cross, this time he tried to find the late run of De Rossi but Lahm does just enough to get it clear!
5:54am
Matt Bungard said | 5:54am | Report comment
49th min, ITA 2-0:
And Lahm misses with the goal begging!!!
5:56am
Matt Bungard said | 5:56am | Report comment
Lovely build-up play. It ends with a one-two between Lahm and Klose with the German skipper having a clear sight of goal, right on the penalty spot on his right foot…and he floated it over the bar. That’s a huge let-off for the Italians.
5:52am
Matt Bungard said | 5:52am | Report comment
48th min, ITA 2-0:
Reus skips away from a couple of challenges but scuffs the finish from 10 yards out and it’s an easy save for Buffon.
5:49am
Matt Bungard said | 5:49am | Report comment
Half-time subs for the Germans – Reus and Klose on for Podolski and Gomez.
5:34am
Matt Bungard said | 5:34am | Report comment
HALF TIME
GERMANY 0
ITALY 2
5:36am
Matt Bungard said | 5:36am | Report comment
What a half. Germany will just about all the chances, Italy with all the goals through the enigmatic Mario Balotelli. The first was sublime skill and buildup from a couple of Italy’s tricksters, the second was raw power from the Manchester City striker. This is the first time Germany have been behind in a competitive match since the World Cup semi-final. Through the entire EURO 2012 qualifying process and tournament, they have never trailed.
How will they respond with just 45 minutes to save their tournament? I’m not sure if there’s any coming back from two goals on this stage, against a team like Italy – but we will see.
I’ll be back in a few minutes for the second half.
5:50am
Stevo said | 5:50am | Report comment
Italy showed in their opening match against Spain that they have got a system and players under Prandelli that can take them a long way. I’m impressed with them and Pirlo must be close to man-of-the-tournament. German have few answers and many players are quiet. Need to get energy and belief into their game to get back. But really impressed with the Italians.
5:33am
Matt Bungard said | 5:33am | Report comment
46th min, ITA 2-0:
One minute of added time announced as Germany get a corner. A goal here would be invaluable…
5:33am
Matt Bungard said | 5:33am | Report comment
It’s cleared away, though…and that should take us to half time.
5:32am
Matt Bungard said | 5:32am | Report comment
45th min, ITA 2-0:
Lahm chips a cross to the back post which Buffon easily claims.
5:30am
Matt Bungard said | 5:30am | Report comment
43rd min, ITA 2-0
Cassano down getting treatment after a clattering challenge from Badstuber
5:27am
Matt Bungard said | 5:27am | Report comment
39th min, ITA 2-0
Podolski played into the area down the left side but a heavy touch sees the ball roll clear for a goal kick.
5:23am
Matt Bungard said | 5:23am | Report comment
36th min
BALOTELLI FOR TWO!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!
5:25am
Matt Bungard said | 5:25am | Report comment
The corner was cleared away, an absolutely fantastic pass from Pirlo puts the Man City striker in the clear and he absolutely LASHES the ball into the top corner!!! That was one of the most emphatic finishes I’ve ever seen. Germany are all but out!!
Oh, and I think he was booked for taking his shirt off after scoring.
5:25am
Stevo said | 5:25am | Report comment
Let me repeat, FANTASTIC goal!!! Italy pumped. Balo nearly puts a hole in Neuer’s net
5:27am
Matt Bungard said | 5:27am | Report comment
That was a ridiculous strike…you rarely see them with that much power AND accuracy.
5:31am
Stevo said | 5:31am | Report comment
When you have the enigmatic Balo, ridiculous becomes the new normal! Germany can strike back but need a reshuffle to get their mojo back
5:23am
Matt Bungard said | 5:23am | Report comment
35th min, ITA 1-0:
Great save from Buffon!! Khedira with a superb volley from 30 yards, it was curling into the top corner before the Italian number 1 knocked it clear for a corner.
5:22am
Matt Bungard said | 5:22am | Report comment
34th min, ITA 1-0:
Montolivo was 12 yards out on his left foot with the goal begging, but he tried to turn onto his right and lost possession!!
5:21am
Matt Bungard said | 5:21am | Report comment
33th min, ITA 1-0:
Almost 1-1!! Great defending from Balzaretti as Boateng’s cross came in from the right and Podolski was looking to provide the finish.
5:17am
Matt Bungard said | 5:17am | Report comment
29th min, ITA 1-0:
Kroos plays it to Gomez at the top of the penalty area but I don’t think the big striker was expecting that and his touch lets the ball roll away from him
5:14am
Matt Bungard said | 5:14am | Report comment
27th min, ITA 1-0
Nice hold up play from Gomez, lays it off to Ozil who shoots from 25 yards and Buffon gets down well to make the save.
5:12am
Matt Bungard said | 5:12am | Report comment
24th min, ITA 1-0
An early ball in from the right and a Gomez header from behind the penalty spot is well wide.
5:10am
Matt Bungard said | 5:10am | Report comment
23rd min, ITA 1-0
Cassano down the wing again, turns it to Marchisio on the edge of the box but he loses possession. Italy with their tails up now!
5:07am
Matt Bungard said | 5:07am | Report comment
20th min
BALOTELLLIIIII!!!!!!!! ITALY LEAD!!!!!!!!!!
5:08am
Stevo said | 5:08am | Report comment
FANTASTIC goal! Italy pumped. I hope A-league players and coaches are watching this game – should be a blueprint for the HAL.
5:09am
Matt Bungard said | 5:09am | Report comment
Cassano with a sharp turn to beat his man, crosses it in from the left and Balotelli had the jump on his man from a couple of yards out giving Neuer no chance!!! Germany have had all the ball and chances but it’s the Azzurri who lead!!
5:06am
Matt Bungard said | 5:06am | Report comment
18th min, 0-0:
Cassano from a similar distance, he goes to the other bottom corner with a curler and again the German keeper saves well
5:05am
Matt Bungard said | 5:05am | Report comment
17th min, 0-0:
Montolivo gets a shot away from just behind the D, it’s low and into the bottom corner but Neuer is more than equal to it.
5:00am
Matt Bungard said | 5:00am | Report comment
13th min, 0-0
Kroos with a vicious strike from 20 yards and it’s palmed away by Buffon!!
5:00am
Matt Bungard said | 5:00am | Report comment
12th min, 0-0:
Almost an own goal for Italy!!
5:01am
Matt Bungard said | 5:01am | Report comment
Boateng in acres of space down the right, he came up with a cross that should have been easily sorted out by Buffon but the Juve keeper spilled it (very uncharacteristically) and it was almost an own goal off the body of Barzagli, but he didn’t know anything about it!
5:03am
Stevo said | 5:03am | Report comment
“uncharacteristically”, nerves, why?
4:58am
Matt Bungard said | 4:58am | Report comment
10th min, 0-0:
Schweinsteiger finds Ozil, who tries to thread the needle to Gomez who would have been clean through, but an Italian foot just gets to the ball in time before it can roll through to the big striker.
4:57am
Matt Bungard said | 4:57am | Report comment
9th min, 0-0:
Pirlo tries to get a shot away from 30 yards and it’s blocked clear.
4:55am
Matt Bungard said | 4:55am | Report comment
6th min, 0-0
Germany come forward again, Khedira in some space wins another corner, but this one is comfortably cleared away.
4:52am
Matt Bungard said | 4:52am | Report comment
5th min, 0-0:
Balzaretti clatters in to Podolski and it rolls away for the first corner of the match!
4:53am
Matt Bungard said | 4:53am | Report comment
AND IT’S CLEARED OFF THE LINE BY PIRLO!!
4:54am
Matt Bungard said | 4:54am | Report comment
Wow. Slack marking from the Italians there – Hummels somehow got a foot (or knee) to it from the edge of the six yard box, it deflects off of Buffon who didn’t know much about it and Pirlo hacked it clear as it was spinning towards the net!
4:51am
Matt Bungard said | 4:51am | Report comment
4th min, 0-0:
Sharp work from Neuer to rush out and dive on that one before Balotelli can pounce.
4:49am
Matt Bungard said | 4:49am | Report comment
2nd min, 0-0:
Good pressure from the Germans on Barzagli sees him play the ball over the sideline right down near his own corner flag. Eventually a cross comes in for Gomez, but too high.
4:48am
Matt Bungard said | 4:48am | Report comment
We are underway!!
4:45am
Matt Bungard said | 4:45am | Report comment
Hey everyone, it’s not far until kick-off now. We’ve had the anthems, here are the formations:
Germany (4-2-3-1)
Neuer
Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm
Khedira, Schweinsteiger
Kroos, Ozil, Podolski
Klose
—-
Italy (4-1-2-1-2):
Buffon
Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini,
Pirlo
Marchisio, De Rossi
Montolivo
Balotelli, Cassano
4:47am
Stevo said | 4:47am | Report comment
Stirring stuff from the Italians during their anthem – they looked pumped. Is it their night tonight? A bit of me hopes so.
5:30am
claudia said | 5:30am | Report comment
GO ITALY, Never expected this from the italians, but its been worth staying up for…..GO ITALIA