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Riccardo Montolivo "99% Italian" despite German heritage

Montolivo not torn between Italy, Germany
© PA Photos
Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo claims that his allegiance lies fully with Italy, despite being part-German mother ahead of tonight's Euro 2012 semi-final between the two nations.

Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo has insisted that he is fully committed to the Azzurri, despite having links with Germany.

The two nations go head to head this evening for a place in the Euro 2012 final.

While Montolivo will be wearing the blue of Italy, the playmaker's mother is from Hamburg and the AC Milan player wears flags from both nations on his shinpads.

"I've worn boots and shinpads like this since I started playing football, so I'm not changing them now," the Daily Star quotes Montolivo as saying.

"It's definitely a special match. I can't hide my origins. Part of me is German and I'm still in touch with a lot of friends there. But I was born and raised in Italy, so I feel 99% Italian."

Meanwhile Spain secured their place in the final after overcoming Portugal in a penalty shootout.

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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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