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.
Brian
Guest
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?
Stevo
Guest
I'm sure Lygon St has gone off
Stevo
Guest
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.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
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.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
FULL TIME GERMANY 1 ITALY 2
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
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!!!!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
94th min, ITA 2-1: Hummels into the book for dissent.
Stevo
Guest
No worries, Italians are masters of closing it down from here.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
93rd min, ITA 2-1: Throw-in for Germany in an advanced position...
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
It was against Balzaretti. Ozil steps up... AND SCORES!!!! OVER THE OUTSTRETCHED ARMS OF BUFFON!!! Surely not....
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
91st min PENALTY TO GERMANY!! A HANDBALL!!!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
90th min, ITA 2-0: Another great save from Buffon!!! The corner is in with Neuer up from the back, and Ozil shoots wide.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
89th min, ITA 2-0: Thiago Motta in the book now...
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
88th min, ITA 2-0 A hopeful cross in from the right, smothered by Buffon. A miracle needed now for the Germans!!!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
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.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
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!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
84th min, ITA 2-0: Chiellini clears it away for another corner.
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
84th min, ITA 2-0: De Rossi in late on Schweinsteiger and he'll go into the book.
Stevo
Guest
Germans are gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matt Bungard
Roar Guru
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!!