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On Thursday evening, in a heated semi-final between Italy and Germany, after two Mario Balotelli goals, the Italians reached the final. Considered by many as favorites to win the title, the Germans were left out of the final and are now returning home.
"Mama mia, Balotelli!" - the newspaper "Deutsche Welle" labels the German team. The two goals by the Italian appeared to be too much for the German national team, who couldn’t find a way to fight back. "Most German fans came to the semi-final match against Italy with one eye already on the final against long-standing rivals Spain and a possible triumph," fans had started celebrating too early.
The Germans had lost to Spain in the final of the 2008 European Championship and in the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, so they were seeking revenge. Unfortunately, they fell short. "Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer did not make history, we will have to remember Mario Balotelli, who crushed our hopes," noted the "Deutsche Welle."
Team coach Joachim Low praised the boys after the match: "We all are disappointed. But we should not doubt ourselves, we played a good tournament. Tears are flowing in the locker room and it's silent as in a cemetery. If you concede two goals in the first half - it will be difficult, but the boys played with all their heart."
"Victims of the curse of the Blues" - this is how the Germans are called by the newspaper "Spiegel". Journalists praise the team for a good game, but at the end of the day, the Germans still remained without a trophy. The talented generation just can't reach the title, and Joachim Low's work is not done.
"Balotelli show" - this is how the match against the Germans is described by the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera." They rejoice in the secure victory: "The match ended with a one-goal difference, but it could have been a victory by two or three goals. It ended as it always does: they lose, we win. It was just another German illusion. The past is important. And how."
"La Gazzetta dello Sport" calls Mario Balotelli "the pride of Italy." The hero of the match admitted afterwards that it was the best day of his life: "My mom was here and I could hug her triumphantly. On Sunday, my dad will be here. Does someone not like how I celebrate? They are just jealous of my strength."
