Euro 2012: Germany v Italy - in pictures

After last night's snoozathon many fans will be hoping that given the reputations of both sides, football will be the winner tonight Photograph: Kacper Pempel/Reuters

Some German fans take up their seats well before kick-off Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

Interesting choice of headgear Photograph: Alik Keplicz/AP

Here's the team news: Germany recall Lukas Podolski, Mario Gomez and Toni Kroos. Whilst the Italians recall Giorgio Chiellini, back from a thigh injury.
German starting XI: Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Podolski, Gomez.
Italian starting XI: Buffon, Balzaretti, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo, De Rossi, Balotelli, Cassano. Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

Gianluigi Buffon gives the thumbs up but things are far from OK as the Germans dominate possession in the opening quarter of an hour. The Italy goalkeeper looks particularly shakey and his defenders have come to his aid twice after flaps at a couple of German efforts Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Nineteen minutes in Italy take the lead with a beautifully worked goal. Cassano twists and turns magnificently down the left, escaping from Boateng and Khedira with one marvellous twiddle, then whipping a cross over the six-yard area, where Balotelli - having beaten Badstuber to the ball - powers home a header Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Ten minutes before half-time Balotelli bags his and Italy's second with a screamer. Montolivo is just inside his own half and sprays a diagonal down the centre for Balotelli who is 40 yards out. He chests the ball down, turns, and a delicate touch takes the ball towards the edge of the German penalty area ... Photograph: Bartlomiej Zborowski/EPA

Where he thwacks it past Manuel Neuer and into the top corner Photograph: Thomas Bohlen/Reuters

He rips off his shirt Photograph: Thomas Bohlen/Reuters

Before soaking up the adulation. It's thoroughly deserved as it was a fabulous finish. Half-time score Germany 0-2 Italy Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

Andrea Pirlo was again a giant in the middle of the park, the Germans couldn't get the ball from him and weren't able deal with his passing Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

The second half sees some classic Italian and counter attack but they are unable to notch that third which will see off the Germans. Then in the first minute of injury time they get a lifeline from the penalty spot. Mesut Ozil confidently strokes the penalty home. They've got 3 more minutes of injury time in which to equalize Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

In the last gasps of injury time Germany throw everything, including goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, forward in a desperate search of the equaliser. They can't however breach the thin blue line that is the Italian defence Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

The final whistle goes Italy are through to the final and Germany are still to beat the Italians in a competitive match Photograph: Janek Skarzynski/AFP/Getty Images

Despair for the Germans Photograph: Joern Pollex/Getty Images

Which is in stark contrast to the joy of the Italians Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

It wouldn't be a proper Italian post match celebration if one of the players didn't strip down to his undies. Final score Germany 0-2 Italy Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images