Euro 2012 daily update: Thursday 28 June

Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger says “it’s Italy’s turn to fall”; Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk steps down from post; Cesare Prandelli vows to attack Germany, plus the rest of today’s news from the European Championships

LATEST NEWS

• German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is predicting a win against the Italians tonight. “For years we could not beat the big nations, but then we beat England, Argentina, the Netherlands and Brazil. Now, it’s Italy’s turn to fall,” Schweinsteiger said yesterday. “We have no fear but we have great respect for Italy.” (Various)

• Bert van Marwijk has stepped down as Netherlands coach, the Dutch FA (KNVB) announced last night. The 60-year-old’s resignation follows a disappointing showing at Euro 2012, in which Oranje were knocked out at the group stage without taking a point. (Various)

• Italy will not sacrifice “two years’ work” by reverting to a more defensive approach honed by Italian sides of old when they face Germany in their semi-final this evening, coach Cesare Prandelli said. “We cannot sit deep [against Germany],” Prandelli told a news conference. “It would be a shame to waste two years’ work. Germany will press us high up the pitch. We are ready for this.” (Various)

• Cristiano Ronaldo has come in for criticism from one of Portugal’s newspapers for his performance against Spain last night. Publico said the former Manchester United player “did not make his presence felt during the tie and didn’t have the chance to take part in the penalties”. (BBC)

TODAY’S MATCH

Germany v Italy

7.45pm, National Stadium, Warsaw, BBC1

YESTERDAY’S RESULT

Portugal 0-0 Spain (Spain win 4-2 on pens)

CESC Fabregas converted the decisive spot-kick as Spain reached the final of Euro 2012 after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over Portugal in Donetsk. Fabregas fired his shot in off the post to send Spain through after Bruno Alves had hit the bar for Portugal. (match report)

ONE TO WATCH - Mats Hummels

If Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels was not a household name outwith Germany before this summer’s tournament, he certainly has good cause to be regarded among one of Germany’s star performers at the Euros. Manchester United were reportedly interested in the 23-year-old defender on the eve of the tournament, and it’s not hard to see why. Hummels has been a picture of Zen at the heart of the German back four, and put in an outstanding performance against Portugal earlier in the tournament to guide his team to a 1-0 win.

EURO FACTS

Italy have never lost a competitive game against Germany - in seven games, The Azzurri have won thrice, drawn four times

MEMORABLE GOALS OF EUROS PAST - Zinedine Zidane, FRANCE v England, 2004

Zinedine Zidane’s last-gasp free-kick against England in Euro 2004 is, by any standard, a rather special effort. But what made this goal so dramatic was the manner in which it arrived. England had been leading for most of the game through a Frank Lampard header until Zinedine Zidane had curled in this superb free kick in the 90th minute. More woe was to follow for England as they then contrived to lose the game after a suicidal backpass from Steven Gerrard led to David James conceding a penalty, which Zidane converted in stoppage time.

LATEST ODDS

Mario Gomez to score first v Italy: 9/2