Balotelli inspires Italy into final

Mario Balotelli scored two superb goals as Italy shocked Germany to book a Euro 2012 final showdown with Spain in Kiev.

The Manchester City man's two goals - the first a header, the second a fierce drive - lit up the first half in Warsaw as Italy took the game to the Germans.

Germany desperately sought a way into the game but a 92nd-minute penalty, scored by Mesut Ozil, came too late.

Italy have never lost to Germany in a major tournament and they have now extended this record to eight matches.

The win sends them through to their third European Championship final, where they will start as underdogs against holders Spain.

Cesare Prandelli's side were fully deserving of their win as they not only contained a Germany side that have swept aside all their previous opponents in the competition, but hit on the break with purpose and precision.

The Azzurri could easily have had more goals as Germany's increasingly committed forrays forward during the second half left them under-manned at the back and susceptible to the counter-attack.