ITALY forward Mario Balotelli scored two superb first-half goals to steer his team to a 2-1 victory over favourites Germany yesterday and into the Uefa Euro 2012 final where they will meet holders Spain.The Italy forward struck twice in 16 minutes to silence critics with a glorious performance that snapped Germany’s 15-match winning streak in competitive games and set up an unexpected final with the world and European champions with whom they drew 1-1 in the group stage of the tournament.Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil converted a penalty in added time after Federico Balzaretti had handled in the area but Italy held on for the victory. The Germans are now without a win against the Italians in all eight of their tournament meetings since their first half a century ago.Germany had almost fallen behind in the opening minutes when a Sami Khedira back header found Antonio Cassano who slipped it through for Balotelli but he was caught by keeper Manuel Neuer.The Italians, as their coach Cesare Prandelli had assured, did not give up their offensive game in favour of a more conservative approach and kept going forward.They forced two good saves from Neuer before Balotelli struck in the 20th minute. Cassano swirled past Boateng and Hummels to glide over a smooth left-footed cross and the 21-year-old Italy striker drilled in a header top oepn the scoring.Balotelli, long criticised for not realising his full potential and for his off-the-pitch antics, stepped up again in the 36th when the German defence was caught napping by a deep Riccardo Montolivo cross and the forward thundered in an unstoppable shot after a deft first touch.
