BORDEAUX, France -- Germany ended 54 years of misery against Italy at major tournaments by taking a familiar route to victory: The penalty shootout.Jonas Hector lifted the so-called Italian curse off Germany on Saturday by converting the 18th kick of one of the wildest shootouts in European Championship history, clinching a 6-5 victory and a place in the semifinals.I took my heart in my hand, said Hector, Germanys left back, and just wanted to make sure it went in.It did -- but only just. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon guessed the right way but dived over Hectors kick. No wonder the 38-year-old Buffon walked off the field in tears afterward.A cagey match between Europes two most successful soccer nations finished 1-1 after extra time, with Leonardo Bonuccis 78th-minute penalty for Italy canceling out a 65th-minute strike by Mesut Ozil.After the tactical tedium came the shootout drama. Bonucci was one of seven players to fail to score in the shootout, with Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger also blazing over when he could have sealed victory with the score at 2-2.Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer gave his side another sight of victory by saving Matteo Darmians penalty, and Hector held his nerve.Ive never experienced a penalty shootout like it before, Neuer said.It was Germanys sixth straight victory in a penalty shootout since losing the final of Euro 1976 to Czechoslovakia, and its first competitive win over Italy in nine tries dating back to 1962. That run included defeats to the Azzurri in the 1982 World Cup final and three major tournament semifinals -- at World Cups in 1970 and 2006, and at Euro 2012.Seeking to follow up its World Cup title from two years ago, Germany will play either France or Iceland in a semifinal match in Marseille on Thursday.Italys loss ended Antonio Contes two-year tenure as coach and he heads to Chelsea in the English Premier League with a strong reputation after masterminding wins over highly fancied Belgium and Spain at Euro 2016.The only regret I have from this European Championship is these penalties, Conte said. Nothing else; no regrets. These lads really showed everything.One of his last acts as Italy coach was to embrace Darmian, who collapsed to the ground in despair after seeing Hector convert his penalty.It was a fixture worthy of the final itself -- Italy and Germany have won eight World Cup titles between them -- but the game didnt live up to its promise.Dropping deep when not in possession, Italys defensive set-up stifled the Germans -- another tactical success for Conte -- and made for a contest of few clear-cut chances until Ozils goal.Hector ran onto Mario Gomezs inside pass and sent over a cross that deflected into the path of the inrushing Arsenal playmaker, who calmly steered the ball home from eight meters.It was the first time the Germans had got behind Italys famed back line all game, but they couldnt hold on. They finally conceded a goal at the tournament when Bonucci scored from the spot after Jerome Boateng handled Giorgio Chiellinis flicked header.Bonucci was a surprising choice as penalty-taker, considering he hadnt previously taken one in regulation time in his career.With both teams tiring and showing respect for each other, extra time passed without significant incident and Euro 2016 had its second penalty shootout of the quarterfinals -- after Portugal beat Poland on Thursday.As Germany, as ever, won the battle of nerves from the spot.It was the lottery of the shootout, Conte said. I think theyre the best side in the world. The fact we could match them is an achievement.Mats Hummels will miss the semifinal through suspension after collecting a second yellow card of the tournament. Nike Shox Cheap Online .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Nike Shox Clearance . 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MINNEAPOLIS -- Police documents say the University of Minnesota wrestling coach refused to turn over the names of student-athletes allegedly involved in the sale and use of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax.According to a search warrant affidavit obtained Tuesday by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, J Robinson told police in April that he had fully taken care of his teams drug problem.Campus police have been conducting a criminal investigation into a team members disputed allegation that Robinson attempted to cover up the widespread sale and use of Xanax by his wrestlers.Police met with Robinson, but he refused to provide names, documents or other information pertinent to the investigation, according to the affidavit. They later executed a search warrant directed at Robinson and the wrestlers allegedly involved with the drug ring. Investigators seized computers, a DVD drive, 15 storage drives and a phone from Robinsons office, according to the warrant.Robinson said that he would providde more detailed information beyond possession and use by his players if we could grant his players immunity, university investigator Aaron Churness wrote.ddddddddddddobinsons attorney, Ryan Kaess, said the coach was trying to help his athletes by denying police access. He also called the alleged Xanax sales ticky-tack violations.I dont believe these kids were drug dealers in the true sense of the word, Kaess said. They were passing them around at parties and sharing in the cost of the drugs.Robinson was placed on paid leave June 1. The university launched its own investigation last month.Attorneys for two wrestlers have asked the university to pause its investigation because of its potential to interfere with the criminal investigation, according to district court documents.Robinson has led the Gophers to three national championships in 30 years. ' ' '