last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. [

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. Cheap Sneakers From China . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Wholesale Sneakers Free Shipping . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . http://www.cheapsneakers.us/ . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Discount Sneakers . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Wholesale Sneakers . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Alec Peters had 23 points, going 11 of 12 from the line, and grabbed eight rebounds to help Valparaiso beat Ball State 79-73 on Sunday.Valpo (6-1) trailed by three at intermission, but used an eight-point spurt midway through the second half to go up 51-44. The lead reached 11 on Tevonn Walkers layup with 1:40 left. Franko Houses layup with 21 seconds left drew Ball State to within seven at 77-70, but Lexus Williams hit a pair of free throws and the Cardinals ran outt of time.ddddddddddddShane Hammink scored 16 points for the Crusaders. Williams finished with 14 points, five boards and six steals, while Walker ended with 11. Valpo was just 4 of 17 on 3-point attempts but went 21 of 25 from the line.Ball State (3-3) was led by Francis Kiapway and Ryan Weber with 15 points apiece. Trey Moses added 13 points and nine boards. ' ' '