Hands up! Germans survive

Zaza in just for PK, misses badly

1C-Germany took a 1-0 lead in a match they dominated possession but a what-is-he-thinking arms up Jerome Boateng caught the ball off his arm giving 1E-Italy a PK they did not miss in the 78'.  In the only match between group winners, both teams played it safe the rest of the match.  Going into penalties, Germany had only missed 2 in their history of Euro and World Cups (26 of 28 in six PSOs, winning 5).  Then again, Germany had never beaten Italy in a Euro or World Cup (0-4-4).

After being the first team to score against GER in this Euro, ITA started off well and then had their PK specialist Simone Zaza, who came in the 120', next but he skied the ball high.  Uncharacteristically, GER did miss
three PKs including misses by Tomas Muller (not a great tourney thus far; GER's first PSO miss since '82 Euro) and Mesuit Ozil (who scored in the 65').  Amazingly, ITA GK Gianluigi Buffon got his hands on two others, but both managed to power into the goal, including the last deciding 18th kick.  GER's 6-5 PSO win tied the most PKs in Euro history (18) with ITA now being on the losing end of both (9-8 loss to Czechoslovakia in '80).

Twenty entries had GER making the semis while four were denied having ITA in.  EEChick1400 held on to his one point lead (82-81 over JBueno) while The Eleven keeps moving up, this time from 20th to a tie for 16th (70) (was last five matches ago).  GER's win eliminated Alyonushka

(24th-Tied, 65) and Kds911 (15th, 71) from 1st and both of those and Jurupa FC (9th-T, 74) from any money.  Just 12 can win money and only four can win the pool.  EEChick1400 has the best chance at money (81.3%) and 1st (37.5%) while Rainman (3rd-T, 80) has a 31.2% for 1st and 50% for money.