Brimming with confidence that their unbeaten team would advance to Sunday's final against Spain, the huge crowd gathered in front of giant screens at the Brandenburg Gate ready to party but were numbed by Italy's triumph. Many left in tears.
"It's totally depressing," said Michel Schorsch, a 17-year-old Berlin student at the popular public viewing area.
"The Italians killed the party. They beat us again. Germany were better in the first half but Italy got two chances and scored twice. What a drag."
"I can't believe this crap," said Sonya Wedlich, a physical therapist whose face was painted in German colours. "It makes me ill to lose to Italy again. Everything was going so well until tonight. I've got to get out of here."
"It would have been nice to see Germany win but I'm just as happy that Italy beat them again," said Nick Rudolf, a 19-year-old fitness trainer who has a German father and an Italian mother. "It's cool to be for both teams."
Ricco, a 34-year-old teacher who drove an hour to Berlin to see the match, said Italy's early goals spoiled the party.
"We came here to enjoy a great party but the only thing we're going to get out of this is a great hangover," he said.
