FORTALEZA, Brazil -- Forward Mario Balotelli will miss Italys semifinal vs. Spain in the Confederations Cup due to a strained thigh, handing the team another major injury complication before facing the World Cup holder. The Italian Football Federation made the announcement Sunday following medical tests on Balotellis left quadriceps. The injury occurred during Italys 4-2 loss to Brazil on Saturday. The federation said that Balotelli would continue to be monitored in the hope that he can return for Italys next match -- either the final or the third-place game. Italy faces Spain on Thursday then the final and third-place games are scheduled for June 30. Balotelli has been the Azzurris most explosive player in the tournament so far. He scored the winner in Italys 2-1 victory over Mexico, converted a penalty in the 4-3 win over Japan and set up a goal for Emanuele Giaccherini in the loss to Brazil. Also, Balotelli has started as Italys lone true forward in each match thus far. Alberto Gilardino would seem to be the logical replacement if Italy coach Cesare Prandelli sticks with the single-striker lineup. Or he could use several forwards such as Stephan El Shaarawy, Sebastian Giovinco, Alessio Cerci or Alessandro Diamanti. A few other Italy players are also injured. Key playmaker Andrea Pirlo was expected back for the semifinals after missing the Brazil game with a muscle problem although he only performed a brief, light running session Sunday before being accompanied off the practice pitch by team trainers. Also, midfielder Riccardo Montolivo underwent a cerebral scan after a knock to the head against Brazil although the tests were negative. Still, he will be evaluated over the next few days. Meanwhile, fullback Ignazio Abate was sent home after dislocating his right shoulder. Spain routed Italy 4-0 in their last meeting, last years European Championship final. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Will-Tye-Jersey/ . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Jamal-Adams-Jersey/ . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Customized/ . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Kelvin-Beachum-Jersey/ . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Jeremy-Kerley-Jersey/ . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Brian Shaw, Jesse Mermuys and Mark Madsen will be new coach Luke Waltons assistants with the Los Angeles Lakers.The team formally announced Waltons coaching staff Friday.Shaw will be the Lakers lead assistant and associate head coach. The former Denver Nuggets head coach returns after winning five championships with the Lakers as a player and an assistant to Phil Jackson.Mermuys was an assistant coach in Toronto for two seasons beforee serving as the head coach of the Raptors D-League affiliate last season.dddddddddddd He has also worked extensively in player development in college and the NBA.Madsen will stay with the Lakers after spending the past three seasons as an assistant and player development coach. He won two championship rings as a Lakers forward. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys China NFL Hoodies Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Wholesale Jerseys 2019 NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic NFL Jerseys From China Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap NFL T-shirts Wholesale NFL Gear NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys 2020 Cheap NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Autographed Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Jerseys ' ' '