Germany vs. Italy: 6 Key Battles to Watch in Euro 2012 Semifinal

Germany and Italy will provide the entertainment for the second semifinal of Euro 2012 on Thursday, with both teams having shown a good mix of technical ability and mental resolve to make the last-four stage.

Spain or Portugal will already be awaiting the winners of this showdown in the final. With the first semifinal scheduled for one day earlier than that of Germany-Italy, both teams will go into the match knowing they will have one less day's rest than their would-be opponents.

Nonetheless, both will want the final berth; which players show up on the day and mark the occasion with a fine performance could prove the tipping point for who makes it to the big day and who goes home one date early.

Here are six key matchups for the second semifinal of the Euros, which could help determine the identity of the winners.

Mario Gomez vs. Gigi Buffon

Rested for the quarterfinal mismatch against Greece at the expense of goal scorer Miroslav Klose, German striker Mario Gomez should return to the starting lineup for the semifinal game against Italy.

Having scored three goals already in his first tournament as a first-choice forward, Gomez is on a hot streak and has the talent and finishing ability to shoot his country all the way in Euro 2012.

Standing in his way will be Italian veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, bearer of 118 international caps and one of the penalty shootout heroes for his side in the quarterfinal against England.

Far from his youngest and most agile—now at 34 years of age—Buffon nevertheless showed impressive reflexes and concentration in different moments of the quarterfinal match and will be looking to bow out on a high if he ends his international career after this tournament.

Gomez must find a way past him to help Germany to their first tournament success since 1996.

Bastian Schweinsteiger vs. Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo was at his talismanic best in the quarterfinals match against England, denying Roy Hodgson's side any time on the ball at all and feeding his more mobile and attacking teammates in all corners of the pitch.

Pirlo is a classy, elegant and, most of all, able midfielder, happy to pass short or long, quickly or after taking time to survey the situation.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is Germany's terrier in the middle of the park, combining bite and energy with a quite limitless range of passing and the odd chance of a thunderbolt shot for good measure.

The battle between the two for supremacy in the midfield should be a terrific one, and whoever does best on the ball could really spell out the difference between a semifinal exit and a place in the Euro 2012 final.

Mesut Ozil vs. Leonardo Bonucci

Not that Mesut Ozil will be playing right alongside Mario Gomez in the forward line, but he will nevertheless be trying to be stopped from having a big effect on the game by Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci—probably.

With Giorgio Chiellini likely to start if he recovers from injury, Bonucci will be fighting for a spot with Andrea Barzagli in the starting lineup for the Italians.

Ozil will constantly look to feed balls through from the 25-yard mark to the wide runners into the box and Gomez up front, and with Chiellini (again, if he starts) more likely to try to handle Gomez, it will fall to Bonucci to clear up through balls and stop any gaps appearing at the back.

Ozil is such a talent that he is likely to make his mark on the match at some point, and a waltzing run of his own into the box could spell real danger for Italy—their defenders need to be on their game.

Mario Balotelli vs. ...Mario Balotelli!

Unstoppable on his best day, and pointlessly playing on his worst.

Mario Balotelli started against England in the quarterfinals and will presumably remain in from the beginning against Germany, but consistency is still a real issue for a player who believes himself to be one of the top performers on the world stage.

A single goal in Euro 2012 is all Balotelli has to show so far, despite half a dozen clear chances, even one-on-one chances, to score more.

If his mind is set and he remains focused, Balotelli can be a match-winner for Italy, but as usual, he offers no guarantees on anything.

The Manchester City striker needs to turn up for both his own and his country's sake.

Sami Khedira vs. Riccardo Montolivio

Insofar as Germany play a holding midfielder, Sami Khedira is sometimes it, alternating with Bastian Schweinsteiger in a flexible, functional and all-round talented midfield duo.

Khedira might not make the most tackles or be dominant in the air, but he can pass a ball very well, help retain possession and is positionally strong to prevent opponents from getting space or time on the ball and dictating the play against Germany.

Up against him will likely be Riccardo Montolivio.

Montolivio relies on his cultured feet to take on a player, pick a difficult through ball, try an effort on goal from range or change the tempo of the game with a quick one-two.

Italy will outnumber Germany in central midfield at times, so a strong performance from Khedira is a must.

Lukas Podolski vs. Ignazio Abate

One of Germany's most potent attacking weapons and new Arsenal signing, Lukas Podolski has recently reached the 100-cap mark and has 44 international goals, despite being only 27 years of age.

The wide forward is a constant threat from range and in the penalty box. He possesses a thunderous left foot, plenty of work ethic and has the confidence to try and beat his man out wide—as well as attack the penalty area at every opportunity.

Ignazio Abate will have his work cut out keeping Podolski quiet and will be likely forced to defend more than attack, which he certainly prefers to do.

If, however, he can force Podolski back with plenty of runs forward of his own, he may get some real joy, but beware the counterattack threat of the Germans with Podolski spearheading the effort.

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