PREVIEW: Semifinal - Germany v Italy

 FOOTBALL - On Thursday, 28 June, Germany and Italy will meet in their semifinal encounter at Warsaw’s National Stadium. It is the 30th match of Euro 2012 and we have assembled some key facts and figures on this match.

> Italy is 1 of 9 teams that have never lost against Germany at a major tournament and the only team who played them more than once.

> This is the third meeting between Germany and Italy in the semifinals at a major tournament. Italy won both matches after extra time: 2-0 at 2006 World Cup and 4-3 at 1970 World Cup.

> This is Germany’s 4^th successive semifinal at a major tournament. They only achieved that once before between 1986 and 1992.

> Germany have won their last 15 competitive matches since losing to Spain in the 2010 World Cup semifinal, a new world record.

> Italy are unbeaten in 14 competitive matches under Cesare Prandelli (9W-5D-0L), keeping 10 clean sheets (including awarded match vs Serbia in Euro 2012 qualifying).

> Gianluigi Buffon has played 1,050 minutes at the ECh. He only needs to play 46 minutes against Germany to surpass Paolo Maldini as Italian with the most minutes at ECh.