A FIRST-half brace by Mario Balotelli powered Italy over Germany on Friday, Manila time, and into the final of the European Championship.
The Italians beat the Germans, 2-1, with the Azzurri taking control early when Balotelli met Antonio Cassano's cross for a 20th minute header at National Stadium in Warsaw.
The second goal came just 16 minutes later, when he took a Riccardo Montolivo pass and found the top corner of the net on a long powerful strike past a stunned Germany 'keeper Manuel Neuer.
Mesut Ozil scored the lone goal for Germany, a penalty in stoppage time.
Germany actually had more shots on goal, eight against Italy's five, and had 14 corner kicks against nil by the Azzuri.
The final is set in Kyiv, Ukraine, with Italy taking on world and European champion Spain, which had beaten Portugal on penalties, 4-2.
It will be a rematch for the two top squads after a draw in their Group C match.
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