Italy are up for the final against Spain after their superb display against the mighty German machine beating Joachim much fancied team by 2-1 thanks to a powerful display by Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.
Going into the match the Germans were the heavy favourites to reach the final after looking unbeatable in their previous games. The Azzuri however inspired by their easy win over England were not afraid of the Germans, and it showed right from the kick-off, with the Italians pushing forward, and to the Italians credit unlike some Italian teams of the past even after going 2-0 up kept on attacking.
The Germans managed to pull a goal back through an Ozil penalty but by then it was too late.
Speaking after the match German coach Joachim Loew said: “The disappointment is great. Nobody is speaking in the dressing room. The players are crying.”
“I’m not going to question everything we’ve done. The team has great quality. It will continue to develop and learn.”
Loew added: “We’ve had two great years.
“The team has really developed well. We won 15 games in a row but lost today against an incredibly strong Italian side, with a strong axis and two great strikers.
“There’s no reason to doubt ourselves. Our team was the youngest team here.
“Even though there’s disappointment today, we played a wonderful tournament and I am sure we will be able to cope with this defeat.”
When talking after the Match the Italian hero Balotelli called it one of the best days of his life saying: “At the end of the game I went to my mother – that was the best moment,” he added.
“I told her these goals were for her. I waited a long time for this moment, especially as my mother is not young anymore and can’t travel far, so I had to make her happy when she came all the way here. My father will be in Kiev for the final too.”
With Balotelli fit the Italians go into Sunday final not fearing Spain the slightest.
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