match 1:
Zürich - Letzigrund - Switzerland
ITALY 1 - 1 ROMANIA
Zürich - Letzigrund - Switzerland
ITALY 1 - 1 ROMANIA
Italy
Panucci 56
Romania
Mutu 55
Entertainment value: 4.5 / 5
match 2:
Bern - Stade de Suisse - Switzerland
HOLLAND 4 - 1 FRANCE
Panucci 56
Romania
Mutu 55
Entertainment value: 4.5 / 5
match 2:
Bern - Stade de Suisse - Switzerland
HOLLAND 4 - 1 FRANCE
Holland
Kuyt 9
Van Persie 59
Robben 72
Sneijder 90+2
France
Henry 71
EV: 4 / 5
Kuyt 9
Van Persie 59
Robben 72
Sneijder 90+2
France
Henry 71
EV: 4 / 5
Italy and Romania played out a very entertaining game in group C that leaves Italy's fate out of their hands and Romania's fate very much in their own for the final round of group matches. Italy were fortunate that Buffon saved a late penalty, the first missed penalty so far, but a defeat will have been cruel. Holland meanwhile sensationally thumped France 4-1 utterly ripping apart any lingering doubts, if any, of their title aspirations. Two of the Dutch goals are potential best goals of the tourney. This result ensured they go through to the knockout stages as group leaders while France knows that nothing but victory will suffice in their last match and even then it might not be enough as Romania has the upper hand.
Italy improved very much for this game as they made 5 changes to the team that lost against the Dutch. Fabio Grosso especially injected much attacking flair from left back and the defensive pairing of Chienllini and Panucci was so solid that one wonders why they did not start previously. They definitely played the better football on the night and if only Toni had gotten to the end of any or some of the crosses that came his way especially those from Grosso, Italy would have won convincingly. Del Piero partnered Toni in attack as captain and though they did not really combined often, weirdly there is some potential as both players brought about various forms of tactics that excluded the other yet involved the other Italians. Italy is now rock bottom with France and face the French in the last group match. Italy has been in this situation before in so many tournaments and they know they must win this last match and hope Romania falters in their match against the Dutch. History is in the making.
Romania is very much enjoying their fairytale story in this group. Expected to be whipping boys for the big guns, they have conjured up two magical draws to throw history out of the door and rewriting them instead. While their football is not exactly pleasing on the eye, at least it was not the Greece of 4 years ago. They have much teamwork ethic and sometimes that makes up for any lack of skill or technical abilities. They know that they only need to win 1-0 against Holland in their last group game irregardless of the Italy - France match up. And they can do it as proven recently in qualifying against Holland.
After the 4-1 win against France, Holland proved they are the best team of the tournament so far defeating two of the best teams in the world, one including the current world champions Italy. This result coupled with their 3-0 win against Italy, both teams' heaviest defeats in their respective European championships history, meant that they can look at the knockout rounds already. With attractive football and pacy offence, they threaten to blow the competition away knowing they have the potential and the players too. They also surely must have killed off any notion that the dressing room is divided, a traditional feature of the team in recent major tournaments, as they seemed to enjoy the presence of one another this time around; goal celebrations are normally signs of such tight-knit cohesion. With confidence sky high, space is the limits for this great Dutch team. Time is on their side too as they have many young players not yet at the peak of their powers.
France is in decline. That much is a certainty. Despite possessing a fine array of talent, they are not capitalizing on it. To be fair, they had some chances against the Dutch last night, but they were outplayed and outpassed. I have said earlier they needed leaders on the pitch and while Henry did start, that extra edge, probably mentality, is lacking. The tactical selection is questionable too as Malouda and Govou started last night. Malouda is never that good, so I wonder why he keeps on being selected. Govou has never re-produced his club form for country. The coach must step up and go with an overhaul as it is do-or-die against Italy.
Incidentally, the last group matches are flashback to the qualifying round recently as they are paired in their respective qualifying groups too. Romania triumphed ahead of the Dutch while the Italians, not convincing against the French, did finish ahead too.
akim - the Italian fan
Italy improved very much for this game as they made 5 changes to the team that lost against the Dutch. Fabio Grosso especially injected much attacking flair from left back and the defensive pairing of Chienllini and Panucci was so solid that one wonders why they did not start previously. They definitely played the better football on the night and if only Toni had gotten to the end of any or some of the crosses that came his way especially those from Grosso, Italy would have won convincingly. Del Piero partnered Toni in attack as captain and though they did not really combined often, weirdly there is some potential as both players brought about various forms of tactics that excluded the other yet involved the other Italians. Italy is now rock bottom with France and face the French in the last group match. Italy has been in this situation before in so many tournaments and they know they must win this last match and hope Romania falters in their match against the Dutch. History is in the making.
Romania is very much enjoying their fairytale story in this group. Expected to be whipping boys for the big guns, they have conjured up two magical draws to throw history out of the door and rewriting them instead. While their football is not exactly pleasing on the eye, at least it was not the Greece of 4 years ago. They have much teamwork ethic and sometimes that makes up for any lack of skill or technical abilities. They know that they only need to win 1-0 against Holland in their last group game irregardless of the Italy - France match up. And they can do it as proven recently in qualifying against Holland.
After the 4-1 win against France, Holland proved they are the best team of the tournament so far defeating two of the best teams in the world, one including the current world champions Italy. This result coupled with their 3-0 win against Italy, both teams' heaviest defeats in their respective European championships history, meant that they can look at the knockout rounds already. With attractive football and pacy offence, they threaten to blow the competition away knowing they have the potential and the players too. They also surely must have killed off any notion that the dressing room is divided, a traditional feature of the team in recent major tournaments, as they seemed to enjoy the presence of one another this time around; goal celebrations are normally signs of such tight-knit cohesion. With confidence sky high, space is the limits for this great Dutch team. Time is on their side too as they have many young players not yet at the peak of their powers.
France is in decline. That much is a certainty. Despite possessing a fine array of talent, they are not capitalizing on it. To be fair, they had some chances against the Dutch last night, but they were outplayed and outpassed. I have said earlier they needed leaders on the pitch and while Henry did start, that extra edge, probably mentality, is lacking. The tactical selection is questionable too as Malouda and Govou started last night. Malouda is never that good, so I wonder why he keeps on being selected. Govou has never re-produced his club form for country. The coach must step up and go with an overhaul as it is do-or-die against Italy.
Incidentally, the last group matches are flashback to the qualifying round recently as they are paired in their respective qualifying groups too. Romania triumphed ahead of the Dutch while the Italians, not convincing against the French, did finish ahead too.
akim - the Italian fan