Germany ready for injury-threatened Italians and Bale signs new contract

After Spain made it through by the skin of their teeth last night, Germany and Italy square off this evening to decide who will meet La Roja in the Euro 2012 final.

We reported yesterday that Bastian Schweinsteiger would be playing and now the German midfielder has confirmed himself that he feels fit and ready for the Azzurri test.

The BBC reported him as saying: "I am 100% fit and very much looking forward to the game. I have trained twice fully and I feel good."

Meanwhile, the Italian midfielder who will be trying to outsmart Schweinsteiger has said that the Germans will provide a much greater threat than vanquished quarter-final opponents England.

Andrea Pirlo, the 33-year-old playmaker with seven fantasy football points at the Euros to date, told Sky Sports:

"Our approach to this game will be the same as the last. But, unlike England, Germany can create many threats to our defence."

According to the Daily Mail, Italy are sweating on the fitness of Ignazio Abate (hamstring), Giorgio Chiellini (thigh) and Daniele De Rossi (sciatica).

Centre-back Chiellini missed the match against England, though has been in full training with the rest of the squad this week so looks likely to start.

In Premier League news, Tottenham fans will be happy to hear that Gareth Bale has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal to end speculation of any immediate move to the continent.

He scored 56 fantasy football points last season.

Bale said in the Guardian: "I love the club and the fans and I want to play my part in trying to get us back into the Champions League."

And, according to the Evening Standard, Spurs are also close to naming their new manager, with ex-Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas now the clear favourite.