Euro 2012 news: Mario Balotelli celebrates ‘best night’ of his life

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli has described Italy’s Euro 2012 semi-final victory over Germany as the “greatest night” of his life, after scoring both goals to send the Azzurri through to Sunday’s final.

The 21-year-old striker netted two first-half goals in the standout performance of his career so far, and is now focused on the showpiece final against reigning world and European champions Spain in Kiev.

"This was the greatest night of my life and I hope Sunday will be better,” Balotelli, who was photographed hugging his adoptive mother after the final whistle, said. "At the end of the game I went to my mother - that was the best moment.

"I told her these goals were for her. I waited a long time for this moment, especially as my mother is not young anymore and can't travel far, so I had to make her happy when she came all the way here.”

Balotelli’s brace means that he now sits alongside Mario Gomez, Mario Mandžukić and Alan Dzagoev as the tournament’s top scorer with three goals, but the Italian is determined to secure the Golden Boot as the outright winner.

"I will try to win the top scorer award," the Manchester City forward added. "In football sometimes you can try so many times and it doesn't go in, or try few and it does all the time. It was a fantastic assist, the kind only Antonio Cassano can provide, while Riccardo Montolivo's pass was great too."

Germany, who last won a trophy in 1996, came into the semi-final as clear favourites but underwhelmed when it mattered most.

However, coach Joachim Löw defended his team selection, and praised Italy for capitalising on his side’s defensive errors.

"They punished us for our mistakes and went into the break 2-0 down against such a classy side as Italy, so it was always going to be difficult to get back into it," he commented. “[Balotelli] punished us with two goals and we were not entirely free from errors in those moves."

Löw added: “We've had two great years, the team has developed very well, winning 15 [competitive] games in a row.

“We lost today against a very strong Italy team who have a great spine and two quick strikers. They were just a bit better – you have to acknowledge that and they were more clinical than us.”

The Germany boss also reserved praise for Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, who said: “I am very proud of these players – I don't want it all to be about me.

“We have no time to celebrate, just concentrate on the next game which is the biggest. When you dream, you only dream big – so this is the beginning.

“Spain are a terrific side, but we will prepare very well like we did tonight. I think it will be an open game and we'll start on a level footing in that respect.”

Rob Swan - follow me on Twitter

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