Mario Bracetelli

Germany line-up: Neuer, Lahm (c), Hummels, Badstuber, Boateng (Muller, 71'), Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Khedira, Podolski (Reus, 45'), Gomez (Klose, 45'), Ozil
Italy line-up: Buffon (c), Chiellini, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Montolivo (Motta, 64'), Cassano (Diamanti, 58'), Balotelli (Di Natale, 69') 

A brace from Mario Balotelli was enough to set up a final date against Spain. Italy took more chances than they did against England and it was enough to survive a late scare against a surprisingly inefficient German side.

Italy's long ball technique looked to bamboozle to the German centre-back pairing, meaning that Balotelli was always an outlet. At the other end, Gianluigi Buffon surprisingly looked nervy and this showed within the first five minutes when he failed to collect a corner. Mats Hummels belatedly swung a leg at it and the effort was cleared off the line by Andrea Pirlo.

Toni Kroos' first appearance of the tournament almost brought a goal, but his 13th minute effort was neatly saved by Italy's captain. Italy responded with Riccardo Montolivo firing a long shot that bounced just in front of Manuel Neuer and Antonio Cassano also tested the Munich keeper.

Italy then broke the deadlock on 20-minutes when Pirlo played Cassano down the wing. Cassano then sent in a superb cross which was headed home by Balotelli. Germany couldn't find a response and any chances they did create failed to find the target.

That was until Sami Khedira sent a curling shot that Buffon prevented going into the top corner. But Italy countered and Balotelli was found in acres of space in the German half. He made his way into the box before smashing the ball past Neuer.

Germany were shell shocked following the second goal and needed to change if they were going to get back into the game. Joachim Low decided to bring Thomas Muller and Marco Reus in place of Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez.

Reus instantly showed spark, but his early efforts were easily stopped by Buffon. Philipp Lahm then had a great chance to pull a goal back when he played a one-two with Bastian Schweinsteiger, but the German captain placed his effort over the bar.

Italy's defence was largely solid throughout the game, keeping the Germans out. Balotelli burst through on the hour mark, but his shot from an acute angle went inches wide. Germany's next chance once again came from the young Reus, whose free-kick was agonisingly tipped over the bar by Buffon.

Italy could have killed the game off once again when Alessandro Diamanti put Claudio Marchisio through on goal, but his effort went inches wide of Neuer's post. Diamanti also had a chance of making it 3-0 when he forced himself into the box, but any chances of a shot were thwarted when the Italian slipped over.

Germany ultimately ran out of ideas but were given a late late lifeline when Federico Balzaretti handled in the box in injury time. Mesut Ozil stepped up and coolly converted the penalty but there wasn't enough time for Germany to equalise. They had a chance in the last kick of the game when they received a free-kick on the half-way line. But instead of launching into the box, they played it short and the referee blew the whistle to put Italy into the final.