The Italians clinched a place in Sunday's Berlin showpiece courtesy of a dramatic 2-0 extra-time win over host nation Germany in front of a partisan home crowd.

Tuesday's emotional match was two minutes away from a penalty shoot-out when defender Fabio Grosso curled a shot past Jens Lehmann after being put through by man-of-the-match Andrea Pirlo.

Germany poured forward in a desperate search for an equaliser, but they were caught on the break in time added on with substitute Alessandro Del Piero applying a cool finishing touch to a swift counter-attack.

Italy have been criticised for being too negative in this tournament, but coach Marcello Lippi threw caution to the wind to try and win the match, and his gamble of playing with four strikers in extra-time paid rich dividends.

Grosso admitted Italy's World Cup campaign had been far from easy given all their problems.

"We went out there on the pitch with many things going on around us and now we can celebrate," said the 28-year-old.

The day had not began well for Italy with the news that prosecutor Stefano Palazzi had recommended relegation for Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina as punishment for the clubs' suspected involvement in match-fixing.

Thirteen of the Italy squad, none of whom are implicated in the scandal, play for the four accused Serie A clubs and could soon be considering their futures.

Italy were also rocked eight days ago by the apparent suicide attempt of 35-year-old Gianluca Pessotto, who spent 11 years with Juventus before hanging up his boots in May and becoming their team manager.

Pessotto, who threw himself out of his office window and is in a serious condition in a Turin hospital, played alongside and against many of the current Italian squad. He also made 22 appearances for the national team.

Del Piero dedicated his goal to his striken former team-mate.

"That's for you, Gianluca," he screamed into a microphone as he ran off the pitch.

Italy have also suffered injuries to key players.

Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso missed the opening match against Ghana, while Alessandro Nesta has not played in the last two games due to a groin strain.

Furthermore, Francesco Totti lacked his usual sharpness in Italy's early games due to fitness problems.

The Roma captain broke his left ankle in February and only returned to action in late May.

To add to Italy's woes, tenacious midfielder Daniele De Rossi was banned for four matches for elbowing USA's Brian McBride in the face in the second first phase match against the United States. His suspension has now ended and he will be able to play in the final.

Then Marco Materazzi received a one-match ban for his dismissal against Australia in the second round, which left Italy to cope with 10 men for almost the entire second half.

Lippi praised his players for the way they've overcome every obstacle to reach a final many thought was beyond them.

"It's a great satisfaction - these lads are fantastic," said the 58-year-old.

"These boys are something special. I told them they should be proud of themselves for reawakening the enthusiasm and love for our country."

Italy will meet either France or Portugal in Sunday's final.