Germany 0 – 2 Italy
A thoroughly uninspiring 105 minute defensive yawnfest was replaced by an explosive final 15 minutes in Dortmund as Fabian Grosso yet again became the hero, putting Italy through to the final with his 119th minute strike.
Germany paid the price for being too defensive, looking like they were playing for penalties for the most part of the game. Italy controlled the first half but didn’t really create any chances. Germany came back in the second half, retaining possession but again not doing anything with the ball. The first half of extra time was much the same, with the game looking sure to go down to penalties.
Italy however, were desperate to win, given their atrocious penalty shootout record. The final 15 minutes was filled with end-to-end play, with both keepers tested again and again. Alessandro Del Piero was introduced, and showed his class immediately up front. Italy hit the woodwork twice, and were denied by Lehmann a couple more times. Eventually, the ball fell to Grosso in the box, and he fired home a brilliant shot with 90 seconds remaining on the clock. To round off the victory, who else but Del Piero chipped over Lehmann’s head to make it two goals, right on the death.
All eyes now on the France vs Portugal match. If Portugal win through, it could be a dive-fest in Berlin next week.
July 5, 2006 7:34 am 
