match 1:
Bern - Stade de Suisse - Switzerland
HOLLAND 2 - 0 ROMANIA
Bern - Stade de Suisse - Switzerland
HOLLAND 2 - 0 ROMANIA
Huntelaar 54
Van Persie 87
Entertainment value: 3.5 / 5
match 2:
Zürich - Letzigrund - Switzerland
FRANCE 0 - 2 ITALY
Van Persie 87
Entertainment value: 3.5 / 5
match 2:
Zürich - Letzigrund - Switzerland
FRANCE 0 - 2 ITALY
Pirlo 25 pen
De Rossi 62
EV: 3.5 / 5
De Rossi 62
EV: 3.5 / 5
Romania have finally ran themselves to the ground after an accomplished and professional Dutch performance saw them fell to a 2-0 defeat crushing their European championship dream. Italy showed far greater hunger and desire than France to win the other pulsating match that had Ribery taken off early for injury and Abidal sent off and with the other result going their way, they joined Holland in the 2nd round.
Holland went 9 for 9 as group leaders after the win. Despite fielding a changed side, the Dutch did not looked weakened but was seamless in possession and clinical in finishing. Credit to Marco van Basten for being a true sportsman despite knowing a Romanian win will have seen their 2 biggest foes crashed out. Another bonus is the morale booster it must have given to the fringe players (as compared to the Portugal 2nd string side that lost against Switzerland) and the overall team morale will only have skyrocketed from a 100% group results.
Romania have overachieved in this group with 2 creditable draws against 2 formidable opponents, but to face a 3rd, and an in-form team in Holland, it was simply too much to bear. Knowing they needed a victory to ensure qualification, they could not muster a decent chance exposing the lack of creativity in the side and stretching the team's strength as far as it can go. Romanians can take heart from their campaign however, possibly capturing the hearts of football romantics around the world.
Italy showed their 1st result in this group was nothing but an off day in the office but eventually redeemed themselves in the next two brilliant performances against Romania and France. Pirlo was the architect in midfield, the anti-archetypal playmaker, stringing great passes with excellent vision, despite lasting a mere hour. His absence for the next game due to suspension will not have been welcomed in Italy's camp. Toni was guilty of missing 4 shots within the opening 30 minutes but his superb close ball control belies his height and he showed great improvisation at one stage. He provided a focal point for Italy's attacks and was a menace to the French defence. The defence looks stable too making me eat my words when I had questioned its quality in the absence of Cannavaro. With Buffon behind them, the defence is more solid than ever. Spain is next.
France's decline is nearly complete but this latest setback was probably more due to the coach's flawed tactical selection. They needed a leader in defence and when Thuram was left out of the starting XI, they had the immature Gallas and awkward Abidal, who is more accustomed at left-back. He persisted with 2 defensive anchors in Toulalan and Makelele, both of whom just sit in front of the defence but adding no value to the offence at all for all 3 group games. If only Vieira, more influential than Toulalan, had been given his chance. The early injury to Ribery and the red card to Abidal, all before the half hour, may have disrupted their plans but Italy was pretty much in control even before then. France lacked fluidity often coming in 2nd best to win the ball and they were outplayed by the marauding and dynamic Italians who passed the ball with consummate ease. They displayed little adventure and even lesser chemistry as partnerships all around eg Henry/Benzema was as sizzling as a cold hotdog on a hot BBQ grill. In short, time to ring the changes at Les Blues.
akim - the Italian fan
Holland went 9 for 9 as group leaders after the win. Despite fielding a changed side, the Dutch did not looked weakened but was seamless in possession and clinical in finishing. Credit to Marco van Basten for being a true sportsman despite knowing a Romanian win will have seen their 2 biggest foes crashed out. Another bonus is the morale booster it must have given to the fringe players (as compared to the Portugal 2nd string side that lost against Switzerland) and the overall team morale will only have skyrocketed from a 100% group results.
Romania have overachieved in this group with 2 creditable draws against 2 formidable opponents, but to face a 3rd, and an in-form team in Holland, it was simply too much to bear. Knowing they needed a victory to ensure qualification, they could not muster a decent chance exposing the lack of creativity in the side and stretching the team's strength as far as it can go. Romanians can take heart from their campaign however, possibly capturing the hearts of football romantics around the world.
Italy showed their 1st result in this group was nothing but an off day in the office but eventually redeemed themselves in the next two brilliant performances against Romania and France. Pirlo was the architect in midfield, the anti-archetypal playmaker, stringing great passes with excellent vision, despite lasting a mere hour. His absence for the next game due to suspension will not have been welcomed in Italy's camp. Toni was guilty of missing 4 shots within the opening 30 minutes but his superb close ball control belies his height and he showed great improvisation at one stage. He provided a focal point for Italy's attacks and was a menace to the French defence. The defence looks stable too making me eat my words when I had questioned its quality in the absence of Cannavaro. With Buffon behind them, the defence is more solid than ever. Spain is next.
France's decline is nearly complete but this latest setback was probably more due to the coach's flawed tactical selection. They needed a leader in defence and when Thuram was left out of the starting XI, they had the immature Gallas and awkward Abidal, who is more accustomed at left-back. He persisted with 2 defensive anchors in Toulalan and Makelele, both of whom just sit in front of the defence but adding no value to the offence at all for all 3 group games. If only Vieira, more influential than Toulalan, had been given his chance. The early injury to Ribery and the red card to Abidal, all before the half hour, may have disrupted their plans but Italy was pretty much in control even before then. France lacked fluidity often coming in 2nd best to win the ball and they were outplayed by the marauding and dynamic Italians who passed the ball with consummate ease. They displayed little adventure and even lesser chemistry as partnerships all around eg Henry/Benzema was as sizzling as a cold hotdog on a hot BBQ grill. In short, time to ring the changes at Les Blues.
akim - the Italian fan