We have waited - i would like to say patiently bit I can't - for the 2008 European Championships to put on a show. After the drip and drab affair of Romania v France it was the turn of the other two big guns in Group C.
Holland v Italy. It sounds appetising doesn't it. It was everything you could hope for...and more!
The early signs were good as the workmanlike Dutch midfield pairing of Orlando Engelaar and Nigel De Jong secured possession for the men in orange, but despite their pressure the Italians were dangerous on the break with Antonio Di Natale flashing a couple of half volleys just over Edwin van der Sar's cross bar.
However, concerns were mounting that the game needed a goal while both teams were going for it.
A quick browse through the two sides and the most obvious man to break the deaadlock was the arch-poacher himself - Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Real Madrid striker is famous for scoring inside the six yard box and he was on hand to do just that tonight.
The World Cup winners failed to clear a corner from the right hand side and Wesley Sneijder struck a low left foot shot goalwards and van Nistelrooy was in the right place at the right time to tuck it home. The Italians were angry as he was miles offside but the assistant kept his flag down - somehow.
Just minutes later Italy looked to be level but Giovanni van Bronckhorst hooked a Luca Toni header off the line. What the Italians did not see coming was the blistering counter from the men in orange.
The impressive Rafael van der Vaart fed a buccaneering van Bronckhorst down the left and, with the Italians more than a little lost, the former Arsenal man searched out Dirk Kuyt on the right side. The Liverpool man cooly nodded down to the oncoming Sneijder and the Real Madrid midfielder finished delicately round Gianluigi Buffon.
With Italy shellshocked van Nistelrooy had a glorious chance to put the game beyond doubt after a superb through ball from van der Vaart but fired straight at the legs of Buffon.
Roberto Donadoni threw Alessandro Del Piero and Antonio Cassano on in an attempt to create something and the latter forged a wonderful opening for Toni but the Bayern Munich man panicked and lobbed over.
The Dutch then rounded off proceedings with another deadly counter attack.
Andrea Pirlo looked to have got one back for the Italians but his free-kick was brilliantly palmed out by van der Sar. Within a matter of seconds that man van Bronckhorst was heading Kuyt's cross into Buffon's net.
Substitute Ibrahim Afellay was given a chance to show what he can do and he almost scored a contender for goal of the tournament after bemusing Fabio Grosso before unleashing a rasping effort that beat Buffon but not the bar.
Everybody had been waiting for this tournament to come alive and tonight - at long, long last - it did. No doubt everyone will be writing off the Italians and hailing the Dutch as runaway champions but as long as the remaining games follow on in this pattern I, for one, will be happy.
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Monday, 9 June 2008
Sunday, 8 June 2008
THE GROUP OF DEATH!
by guest blogger Callum Sparrowhawk of footymad.net
The European Championships of 2008 kicked off yesterday with Group A but no doubt that the keen eye will be on Group C, the group of death. This tough draw sees three European giants; Italy, France and Holland face each other in the opening round with minnows Romania making up the numbers.
The world champions must surely be favourites to make the quarter-finals and with good reason after topping France in the qualifying stages. With a new look 4-3-3 formation - as opposed to a 4-4-2 system traditionally favoured by Italian Coaches down the years - the World Cup Winners have found a more attacking mentality. The Italians will be able to draw on the experience of Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattusso and Gianluigi Buffon with Luca Toni leading the line.
The talismanic Francesco Totti will be a creative force for the Italians after another fine season at AS Roma, however the loss of Fabio Cannavaro to injury is a major blow – but not a fatal one. The players know how to win but does manager Roberto Donadoni? Marcello Lippi’s successor lacks experience in high pressure situations and could be exposed when the going gets tough.
Italy meet France on the final day of a potentially tight group stage, with Raymond Domenech’s side eyeing up a third European Championship. The French squad is showing plenty of promise but, in my opinion, their hopes depend on Domenech’s selections in attack. Lyon striker Karim Benzema enjoyed a fabulous season in Ligue 1 and it would seem foolish to leave him out – especially given the form of the rest of the strikers in the squad.
However, is Domenech brave enough to see superstars Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka grumbling and sulking on the bench? If he is, France could go all the way with the likes of Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri wreaking havoc on the flanks, but if he isn’t then a resilient defence could stifle the French attack.
The third giant of the group is Holland, a side famous for their brand of ‘total football’ displaying the finest technique and tempo in the world. At the helm is Marco Van Basten - one of the finest forwards to grace football’s illustrious history – however, he has set his team in a system of function over style. Up top, Ruud Van Nistelrooy is a famed goal threat around the box but his lack of movement nowadays causes problems for the wide players who find themselves sprinting beyond the Real Madrid man with ease.
The Dutch managed only 15 goals in 12 qualifiers so perhaps Ajax’s much touted hitman Klass-Jan Huntelaar should be considered instead. Holland’s hopes depend on whether the midfield can conjure up enough goals to see them through… I just don’t see it happening.
A slip up from either of the giants against minnows Romania will have a massive impact on who progresses, and the Romanians will be looking to Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu to snatch them a result. However, the former Chelsea star is faced with a €12 million compensation claim from his former employers as a result of a positive drugs test during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
It would be great to see the underdogs earn a few points in this tough group, however unlikely it is, but as we all know, anything can happen in football. The French will have to beware on the opening day as they face the Romanians…remember Senegal at the World Cup anyone?!
I can certainly see the World champions Italy winning the group and I would fancy the French to follow them in second. However, the Dutch are unlikely to concede many goals and if the Romanians can stun somebody, I would put money on it being France and if they do then surely Holland would sneak in to the quarter finals.
The European Championships of 2008 kicked off yesterday with Group A but no doubt that the keen eye will be on Group C, the group of death. This tough draw sees three European giants; Italy, France and Holland face each other in the opening round with minnows Romania making up the numbers.
The world champions must surely be favourites to make the quarter-finals and with good reason after topping France in the qualifying stages. With a new look 4-3-3 formation - as opposed to a 4-4-2 system traditionally favoured by Italian Coaches down the years - the World Cup Winners have found a more attacking mentality. The Italians will be able to draw on the experience of Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattusso and Gianluigi Buffon with Luca Toni leading the line.
The talismanic Francesco Totti will be a creative force for the Italians after another fine season at AS Roma, however the loss of Fabio Cannavaro to injury is a major blow – but not a fatal one. The players know how to win but does manager Roberto Donadoni? Marcello Lippi’s successor lacks experience in high pressure situations and could be exposed when the going gets tough.
Italy meet France on the final day of a potentially tight group stage, with Raymond Domenech’s side eyeing up a third European Championship. The French squad is showing plenty of promise but, in my opinion, their hopes depend on Domenech’s selections in attack. Lyon striker Karim Benzema enjoyed a fabulous season in Ligue 1 and it would seem foolish to leave him out – especially given the form of the rest of the strikers in the squad.
However, is Domenech brave enough to see superstars Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka grumbling and sulking on the bench? If he is, France could go all the way with the likes of Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri wreaking havoc on the flanks, but if he isn’t then a resilient defence could stifle the French attack.
The third giant of the group is Holland, a side famous for their brand of ‘total football’ displaying the finest technique and tempo in the world. At the helm is Marco Van Basten - one of the finest forwards to grace football’s illustrious history – however, he has set his team in a system of function over style. Up top, Ruud Van Nistelrooy is a famed goal threat around the box but his lack of movement nowadays causes problems for the wide players who find themselves sprinting beyond the Real Madrid man with ease.
The Dutch managed only 15 goals in 12 qualifiers so perhaps Ajax’s much touted hitman Klass-Jan Huntelaar should be considered instead. Holland’s hopes depend on whether the midfield can conjure up enough goals to see them through… I just don’t see it happening.
A slip up from either of the giants against minnows Romania will have a massive impact on who progresses, and the Romanians will be looking to Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu to snatch them a result. However, the former Chelsea star is faced with a €12 million compensation claim from his former employers as a result of a positive drugs test during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
It would be great to see the underdogs earn a few points in this tough group, however unlikely it is, but as we all know, anything can happen in football. The French will have to beware on the opening day as they face the Romanians…remember Senegal at the World Cup anyone?!
I can certainly see the World champions Italy winning the group and I would fancy the French to follow them in second. However, the Dutch are unlikely to concede many goals and if the Romanians can stun somebody, I would put money on it being France and if they do then surely Holland would sneak in to the quarter finals.
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