Germany plays the hosts France in the semi-final of Euro 2016 after beating Italy in a thrilling penalty shootout. France ends Iceland’s dreams of doing a Greece with a thrashing in Paris.

We are at the National Stadium in Warsaw for the semi-finals of Euro 2012. The German players are on their knees; the famous white shirts are soaked in saline and sweat; invisible to the triumphant Italians playing the ultimate game of ‘pile-on’ in the centre of the pitch.

The mercurial talent of Mario Balotelli has eliminated the favourites with a brace. Mesut Ozil’s penalty came too late to raise the pulse on the wrist of the Italian team. Not many teams beat the Germans in a major final. Germany came into this tie at the right end of 15 consecutive victories in competitive matches. Germany would have to wait another four years for a chance at retribution.

Euro 2016, Bordeaux; Germany have a chance to avenge that defeat when they line up against Antonio Conte’s Italian side. Once again, the Germans are favourites. Will this be the night they rip the monkey off their back and stamp all over it?