Lineker only half right

As Italy and German prepare for their own semi-final ‘superclasico’ between Europe’s two-most decorated teams, Gary Lineker may reflect he was not totally right with his famous quip that “football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”

It often seems that way but in fact the Germans have never beaten the Azzurri in a competitive match in seven attempts.

In a memorable 1970 World Cup semi-final the Italians won 4-3 against a side which included a young Franz Beckenbauer, who had to wear his arm in a sling, and also beat them 3-1 in the 1982 World Cup final.

Merkel swaps semi for summit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be unable to see her beloved Mannschaft take on Italy in the semi-finals in Warsaw as she has some pressing business in Brussels in the form of another EU summit.

“She’d have to miss the European summit,” explained her spokesman Steffen Seibert.

Media reports had earlier suggested Merkel had assured the team she would be there if they reach Sunday’s final.

Looking for divine intervention

Cesare Prandelli’s Italians may be calling on divine intervention against a strong German side in their semi-final.

Just after getting back from Kiev after seeing off England on penalties, Prandelli and his charges set off on a pilgrimage to a convent outside the Polish town of Wieliczcka. After earlier beating Ireland, the Italians had visited the Camaldolesi hermitage, home to an order of Benedictine monks founded in Arezzo.

Hard to forget the goal that wasn’t

Ukraine still can’t forget their goal-that-wasn’t against England. Posters have gone up in Donetsk of referee Victor Kassai, who didn’t believe Marko Devic’s shot cleared by England defender John Terry crossed the line.

Kassai acknowledged his error but the fans have not forgotten. On the posters there is a blank space for comments to be left - few of which bear goodwill towards him.