Cheap Flights To Lisbon - Germany vs Italy Semifinal Review

With both teams willingness to attack early the match seems to be an open match rather than a tactical stalemate. Italy started with pace in park and creating early openings. It has to be a titanic match and it lived up to the expectations.

Totti astute pass to Perrotta created the first clear opening of the match but Perrotta's first touch left much to be desired and took the ball away from him and invited Lehmann to make a brave save.

No wonder he has just scored one goal in 70 odd matches, unfortunately for Germany he blown it away. Midway through the half as the game slowly and steadily turning into a midfield mudsling Pirlo pass was intercepted and Klose released Schneider for a clear shot on goal.

Italy bright start and dominant possession had one bleak side that they failed to translate it into goals before the half time.

Ballack start imposing himself on the game and substitute Odonkor send some beautiful crosses. Germany came out as a team possessed and clear in its thought of what has to be done to dispose the Italians. The second half was all together a different story.

With attack few and far between from the Italian side it seemed that they are happy to play for the extra time. One of those crosses was well held by Podolski on a turn but the shot was brilliantly saved by Buffon.

Defense was all over as Juaquinto regularly beating Lahm on the flanks to create opportunities, german goal was living its charmed life. In the extra time the Italian came out blazing hitting the crossbar and post in the first three minutes of extra time.

Nobody in the stadium believed he missed it. Podolski received a free header in front of goal from a cross by Odonkor. At the end of the first half of extra time Germany got its best opportunity of the match.

Germany made early inroads and Podolski thunderous shot was brilliantly saved by Buffon. There was no midfield of note and teams are either attacking or defending. In the second half of the extra time the game totally opened up.

I will be surprised if it won't be among the best goals of the tournament. A brilliant curling left foot shoot from Grasso ending into the back of the German goal. On the resulting corner slack defending led to the impossible. Which was easily diverted to corner, as the match seemed to going to penalties Pirlo fired a shot at Lehmann .

Two minutes to left Germany went for broke to equalize and Del Piero took the advantage on brake and scored Italy's second with the last kick of the match.

Germany's dream is shattered and nightmares of 1982 are back.