Italy beat Germany 2-1 in Euro semi

Mario Balotelli was the two-goal hero on Thursday as Italy stopped high-flying Germany 2-1 in their European football championship semi-final to earn a final date with title holders Spain.

Manchester City forward Balotelli headed the opening goal in the 20th minute and smacked home the second in the 36th for the Azzurri, who remain unbeaten against Germany in competitive games.

Germany coach Joachim Loew ran out of luck with his tactical schemes and Mesut Oezil's penalty in stoppage time came too late.

Italy will play in their third Euro final on Sunday in Kiev, having won in 1968 against Yugoslavia and losing to France in 2000.

Italy and Spain met in the group stage of this tournament on June 10 and played to a 1-1 draw.

The Spaniards are bidding to became the first team to win three major trophies in a row following Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.