"Super Mario" inspires Italy to stun Germany at Euro semifinal

 WARSAW, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Mario Balotelli on Thursday proved his value with two goals as Italy stunned¹ Germany 2-1 to reach the Euro 2012 final.

Balotelli, who was questioned by some critics for lacking last-shot ability, headed home his first goal and struck the second in the first half to pave the way for Italy, who will face Spain in the final on July 1 in Kiev.

"Mario was excellent like the entire team. He ran into the space in time and were always available in attack. He was concentrated and really in the game," commented by Italian coach Cesare Prandelli.

"We risked a bit today. With a bunch of talented players with great qualities, we can take the control and that's the style what I expect for Italy. All we need to do now is try to recover as soon as possible. Spain is a terrific side," added by the Italian.

Germany, which had been on a world-record 15-match winning streak² in competitive fixtures³ before Thursday's clash, fought to the last second with a Mesut Oezil's penalty in the injury time.

They can still leave the stage with heads up for their faith in attacking football and courage to send a youngest squad⁴ to the tournament.

"We won 15 matches in a row but lost to an incredible Italy tonight. Twice in defence we didn't pay attention. Then it was very difficult to turn around," said Germany's coach Joachim Low.

"However, this youngest team have played a wonderful tournament. They can still develop in the future and cope with the difficulties now."

The victory extended Italy's dominant⁵ record against Germany in competitive meetings to four wins and four draws.

Facing a favourite side which had scored freely with their attacking style in Poland and Ukraine, Italy survived an early scare just after the opening whistle when Mats Hummels' shot from a corner was blocked on the line by a near-post Andrea Pirlo, who pulled strings⁶ in the 90 minutes to help Italy stand keep shape and stand solid in the midfield battle.

Giorgio Chiellini, who returned to the starting left defender⁷ after injuries, sent Antonio Cassano clear down the left in the 20th minute when the AC Milan forward fed Mario Balotelli in the central area who then found the net with a close-range header.

Balotelli continued his hot form after 16 minutes when Riccardo Montolivo's long ball helped him pass the German backline in the twinkling of an eye and the Manchester City forward fired the ball from the edge of box into the top right corner.

"Super Mario", who was unable to restrain his excitement, took off the shirt in the 56,070-seat National Stadium, only to be cautioned by the referee⁸ with a yellow card.

After the break, Germany brought in Marco Reus and Miroslav Klose to replace Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez, making the squad pacier and direct in attack.

Italy replaced forward Antonio Cassano with Bologna midfielder Alessandro Diamanti, changing from an offensive-minded show in the first half to their classic counter-attack strategy.

Italy, which has not lost to Germany since a 2-0 friendly defeat in Zurich in June 1995, nearly sealed the victory with one clear chance in the last 15 minutes but Antonio Di Natale struck the ball just past the post.

Germany, dangerous from many chances though, failed to beat an in-form Gianluigi Buffon and a solid Italian defensive⁹ line.

Oezil, the most dynamic and creative midfielder in his side, scored Germany's last goal in the tournament from the penalty spot.

The last semifinal meeting between the two traditional powers was at the 2006 World Cup, in which the Azzurri gatecrashed host Germany's party 2-0.

"The disappointment was the same. Both defeats were very difficult. Our players did what they could in the second half. But you have to admit that they played better. We need to learn from this and move on," said Loew.

1 stunned   

adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The fall stunned me for a moment. 那一下摔得我昏迷了片刻。
• The leaders of the Kopper Company were then stunned speechless. 科伯公司的领导们当时被惊得目瞪口呆。

2 streak   

n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动

参考例句：

• The Indians used to streak their faces with paint.印第安人过去常用颜料在脸上涂条纹。
• Why did you streak the tree?你为什么在树上刻条纹？

3 fixtures   

（房屋等的）固定装置( fixture的名词复数 )； 如（浴盆、抽水马桶）； 固定在某位置的人或物； （定期定点举行的）体育活动

参考例句：

• The insurance policy covers the building and any fixtures contained therein. 保险单为这座大楼及其中所有的设施保了险。
• The fixtures had already been sold and the sum divided. 固定设备已经卖了，钱也分了。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

4 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

5 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

6 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

7 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

8 referee   

n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人

参考例句：

• The team was left raging at the referee's decision.队员们对裁判员的裁决感到非常气愤。
• The referee blew a whistle at the end of the game.裁判在比赛结束时吹响了哨子。

9 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。