Pirlo delighted to reach semis

Andreas Pirlo feels Italy's last-eight victory over England was fully deserved and has already turned his focus to Thursday's semi-final.

Midfield maestro feels Azzurri deserve spot in last four

Italy star Andreas Pirlo feels the Azzurri's quarter-final victory over England was fully deserved and has already turned his focus to Thursday's last-four encounter with Germany. Cesare Prandelli's men advanced to the semi-finals at the Three Lions' expense on Sunday night, winning 4-2 on penalties after dominating for much of a goalless 120 minutes. Pirlo was named man of the match after an imposing display, crowned in the shootout when he scored an audacious chipped penalty. The 33-year-old could not disguise his happiness as he looked ahead to Thursday's meeting with Germany in Warsaw. "I'm very happy to get the man-of-the-match award, but the most important thing is the side have gone through to the semi-finals," he said. "We deserved to do so. "Now we have a semi against Germany to come, and we're all hopeful of getting through right to the end of the tournament."