Germany still can't figure out Andrea Pirlo, and still can't beat Italy when it counts.
While Mario Balotelli scored both goals Thursday, Pirlo produced a superb performance as the Italians frustrated the Germans for the eighth time in a major tournament, winning 2-1 to reach the European Championship final.
In the 2006 World Cup semifinals against Germany, Pirlo set up the first goal in extra time of a 2-0 win over the hosts.
Germany was seeking its fourth European title with a talented but young team. It will now go home instead and hope that it will mature into a contender for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
