BORDEAUX, France -- Theyre Europes most successful soccer nations. Theyre arguably the form teams at this European Championship. Theyre the two countries that almost always rise to the occasion in major tournaments.Germany vs. Italy: Its a game fit for a final.Except one of them wont even get past the quarterfinal stage at Euro 2016.The continental heavyweights -- owners of eight World Cups and four European Championships between them -- collide in Bordeaux on Saturday in a match that stands out for many reasons.Firstly, theres the skewed history of their meetings in major tournaments. Germany and Italy have played each other eight times at the highest level and, bizarrely, the Germans havent recorded a single victory.We still have a score to settle with the Italians, Germany goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke said.Then theres the nations current standing in soccer. Germany came into Euro 2016 as the world champion and, to many people, the tournament favorite. Italy arrived with what many back home were saying was the worst team in years.The Germans have largely lived up to their billing, conceding no goals in four matches and hitting their stride with a 3-0 win over Slovakia in the round of 16. The Italians have silenced the critics with arguably the best two displays of any team so far, 2-0 wins over highly fancied rivals Belgium (in the group stage) and then Spain (in the round of 16).Im not singing with the choir that wrote us off (after a 0-0) against Poland and is now branding us absolute favorites after the win over Slovakia, Germany coach Joachim Loew.Theyre not the Italians that we normally know, Loew added. Theyre not only focused on defense but they play very, very well going forward. So ... I believe well have a very interesting, highly charged game on Saturday.While Italy is battle-hardened after a tougher-than-average group stage and then a match against defending champion Spain, theres a sense that Euro 2016 really starts here for Germany.Loews side strolled through its group and Slovakia didnt prove to be a real test.The Italians certainly will be.Loew had his biggest disappointment as Germany coach when his team lost 2-1 to Italy in the Euro 2012 semifinals. He was assistant manager to Juergen Klinsmann when Italy beat Germany in extra time in the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup that Germany hosted.Germanys barren run against the Azzurri in major tournaments started with a 0-0 draw at the 1962 World Cup.You dont prepare a game saying we won the one before, well win the next one, Italy midfielder Alessandro Florenzi said. We went to work immediately after Spain, we watched the video and tried to find weaknesses in a team that doesnt have many.The facts speak for themselves, theyre world champions, theyve won so many matches, thats what gives them confidence.Italys chances of continuing its impressive streak in this fixture are being undermined by a midfield crisis. Already without Claudio Marchisio, Marco Verratti and Riccardo Montolivo because of pre-tournament injuries, Italy coach Antonio Conte is without the suspended Thiago Motta and Antonio Candreva (groin), while Daniele De Rossi (thigh) is a doubt.As for Germany, left back Jonas Hector has had a cold this week but is expected to be OK for Saturday.This could be Contes last game in charge of Italy before he takes over as manager of Chelsea in the English Premier League. He has given tactical masterclasses against Belgium and Spain, and another might be needed against a Germany side that has a point to prove.We have no Italy-trauma, Loew saidThe world is just about to find out.ETwaun Moore Pelicans Jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Jahlil Okafor Pelicans Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. http://www.shoppelicansonline.com/Authentic-ETwaun-Moore-Pelicans-Jersey/ . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Jrue Holiday Jersey . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. Jrue Holiday Jersey . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise.St George Illawarra could be boosted by the return of bruising forward Mike Cooper for their NRL match against Manly.Cooper was a late exclusion from the Dragons last-start win over Newcastle because of a back injury, but will return to training on Friday before making a call on his availability to take on the Sea Eagles.He hasnt been on the grass since he hurt his back but well train him tonight and if he gets through well push him again on Sunday, Dragons coach Paul McGregor said on Friday.Hes the judge of that. Backs are an injury (where) a player makes his mind up on whether hes capable or not. Its a bit of an unknown with Mike.His decision will be from him to us. Obviously hes an international player so hes handy to our football team and whoever takes his place will do a great job.But the good news for Red V fans has been tempered by a setback to veteran prop Ben Creagh who has been told to further strengthen a troublesome knee that has limited him to jusst three appearances this season.ddddddddddddMcGregor said he felt for the 31-year-old who is just four games shy of passing Ben Hornby as the most-capped player at the joint-venture club.And its a hard one because hes a proud clubman and he always puts the club first, McGregor said.We all want to see him back playing rugby league sooner rather than later, but he has got a life to lead after his football careers finished.So the best thing now for Benny is to have that month off running, continue his rehab work, strengthen around his knee and have that final charge for the remainder of the season.McGregor refused to rule Creagh out of breaking the record.Theres still a lot of footy left in Benny and its just whether his knee can continue to play. I know his head and his heart wants to be there. Its just whether hes knee can do that. ' ' '