Balotelli inspires Italy

Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini struck either side of the break to give Italy a 2-0 friendly win over Poland on Friday in the first soccer game at the newly-built stadium in Wroclaw, which will host Euro 2012 matches.
Poland striker Jakub Blaszczykowski missed a penalty five minutes before the end.
Italy's new forward partnership of Balotelli and Pazzini replaced the pint-sized strike force of Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi, whose recent illness and injury setbacks respectively threaten their presence at the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine next June.
“This great game by Balotelli counts for a lot because other than the goal, he played an excellent match. Compliments to him and the team,” Italy coach Cesare Prandelli told reporters of the sometimes immature forward.