ITALY booked their place in the semi-final of the European Championships at the expense of England after winning a penalty shoot-out 4-2 following a 0-0 draw after extra time in Kiev.

The missed penalties came from Ashley Young and Ashley Cole as England fell and Italy booked their place to meet Germany in Warsaw on Thursday night.

England manager Roy Hodgson named an unchanged side for the clash at the Olympic Stadium.

Hodgson kept faith with the line-up which had overcome co-hosts Ukraine to secure top spot in Group D and it was the first time England had fielded an unchanged side since the 2010 World Cup.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was recalled to the Italian starting line-up in place of Antonio Di Natale after scoring against the Republic of Ireland, while defender Georgio Chiellini was ruled out with a hamstring injury and replaced by Leonardo Bonucci.

England had a let-off after three minutes when Claudio Marchisio cut the ball back to Daniele de Rossi whose swerving shot from outside the box beat Hart but struck the post.

England retaliated and almost scored themselves two minutes later.

Glen Johnson started the move and then continued his run into the box to get on the end of James Milner’s low centre.

The Liverpool defender got the ball tangled up under his feet and Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon was able to save one-handed away to his left.

As the first half came to a close England gave a reminder that they could still pose a threat when Danny Welbeck exchanged passes with Rooney before firing wide when he should have at least hit the target.

Then Hart reacted sharply to push aside a fierce drive destined for the top corner of the net from Cassano after he had been teed up by Balotelli.

De Rossi missed a good chance two minutes into the second half after Hart had punched clear a corner. Marchisio knocked the ball back into the box and De Rossi was completely unmarked six yards out but he dragged his shot wide.

Terry got a crucial flick on a cross from Ignazio Abate destined for the head of Balotelli.

Hart then made a double save to deny Cassano and the follow-up effort from Balotelli but was relieved to see Montolivo fire over from the loose ball.

Balotelli held off the challenge of Terry to fire an overhead kick over the bar.

Hodgson made a double change after an hour with Welbeck and Milner making way for Andy Carroll and Theo Walcott.

Carroll made his presence felt when challenging for a Walcott centre and the ball dropped down to Young whose shot was deflected wide.

The game went into extra-time as the sides finished goalless after 90 minutes and the closest chance of the first half of extra time came when Italian substitute Alessandro Diamanti curled in a cross-shot and beat Hart only for the ball to hit the woodwork.

In the second half Italy had the ball in the net only for their effort to be ruled out for offside – and on came the penalties!