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I always knew Balotelli would be a star and I wanted him at Spurs, says Redknapp
Posted Saturday, June 30, 2012 by Dailymail

Harry Redknapp has revealed he tried to sign Mario Balotelli while he was Tottenham manager and has predicted a great future for the Italian.

Balotelli guided Italy into the final of Euro 2012 by scoring both goals in the 2-1 victory over Germany.

The 21-year-old is a volatile character and had a turbulent season although he ultimately secured a Barclays Premier League winners' medal with Manchester City. Redknapp said:

'You never know what you're going to get with Mario Balotelli but one thing is certain - he is a major talent.

I always knew Balotelli would be a star and I wanted him at Spurs, says Redknapp
Strike a pose: Italy's Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring his second goal against Germany

'He stunned Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final and his second goal was fantastic.

'I actually tried to sign him for Tottenham before he went to Manchester City. I'd admired him for a while and I went over to Italy to watch him play. I was impressed and I met up with him too.

'We wanted him on a loan deal but his club weren't keen and it never happened. Shame because he's definitely got it and, at only 21-years-old, he'll be terrorising defenders for many seasons to come.'

England were beaten by Italy at the quarter-final stage in a game which starkly displayed their deficiencies, specifically an inability to retain possession and inferior technical ability.

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Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

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    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia