Super Mario 2!

Super Mario 2!

The German machine was stopped by a superb performance from Mario Ballotelli as he fired the Azzurri into Sunday's final in Kyiv. The Manchester City bad boy was in top form last night against Germany. Germany started off better and most of the possession in the early stages while the Italians defended brilliantly and in the fifth minute Andrea Pirlo came to the rescue of the Italians when he cleared Mats Hummels header of the line from a Bastian Schwiensteiger corner. By the 20th minute the Italians started to impose themselves on the Germans, and it payed off as Antonio Cassano swirled past Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels to put in a delightful cross which was put away by Ballotelli. And 16 minute's later Ballotelli was on the score sheet once again as he got on the end of a deep cross from Riccardo Montolivo which caught the Germans napping at the back. Ballotelli thundered in an unstoppable shot, which left goalkeeper Manuel Neuer helpless, after a great first touch. The Italians went into the half time break with a two goal lead. Though at the beginning of the second half the Germans changed things and introduced the Borrussia Dortmund New boy Marko Reus, dubbed the Rolls Reus, as well as the veteran Miroslav Klose. The Germans dominated possession in the second period and had chances to pull one back but the Italians put on a defensive master class. But the Italian defence was broken early in added time when Germany were awarded a penalty after a handball by Federico Balzaretti, which Mezut Ozil put away but nothing could stop Italy and Super Mario's night of triumph as they move on the final to face the current World and European champions Spain. As for Germany they crash out and once again fail to beat the Italians in a competitive match.