Italy’s Mario Balotelli dedicated his match-winning performance in Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany to his adoptive mother.
At the final whistle, the Italy striker embraced Silvia Balotelli, who brought him up from the age of two after he was born in Italy to Ghanaian immigrants.
“After the game, when I went to my mum I said ‘these goals are for you‘,” he said. “I waited for this moment for so long and I wanted to make my mum happy.Tonight was the most beautiful of my life – but I hope that this Sunday is even better.”
Bayern Munich striker Nils Petersen will join Werder Bremen on a one-year loan deal that will run until 30th June 2013.
Bremen executive director Klaus Allofs confirmed the deal on Friday: “We’ve waited a long time to complete this transfer and are pleased that the deal is now signed and sealed.”
Petersen won the Golden Boot in Germany’s second division during the 2010/2011 season, having found the net 25 times. His form in front of goal soon earned the former U-21 player a move to the Bavarian giants.
Brazilian defender Lucio has left Inter Milan by mutual consent with two years left on his contract, the Serie A club said on Friday.
The Brazilian defender, whose contract ran until 30 June 2014, played 136 competitive matches in blue and black, scoring 5 goals.
With the club he won one Scudetto, the Coppa Italia twice, 1 Italian Super Cup, 1 UEFA Champions League medal and 1 Club World Cup.
Manchester United will play Barcelona in a pre-season friendly to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden on August 8, the Red Devils confirmed on Thursday.
The friendly will be a replay of the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals between the two teams.
The finals in Rome and London bring back good memories for the Catalans seeing that these were the venues that saw Barça claim the third and fourth Champions League titles in the history of the Club.
