Good Day all. The European Championships roll on today with the first of the tournament’s high-profile matches as Group C, the Group of Death, kicks off. France take on Romania (11:50am, ESPN2) and defending World Champion Italy faces the Netherlands (2:30pm, ESPN2).
The Italy-Netherlands match is the marquee match-up, but France must avoid a potential upset loss to an underrated Romania squad that I can definitely see making noise in this loaded group. Can the French attack, led by Henry, Ribery and Benzema, show more than they have shown in recent friendlies? Can Romania pull the upset and move into position to advance to the quarters?
Since many of you are at work and won’t be able to watch these matches I will try to do at least one match commentary a day. Today I will be doing a running commentary on the Italy-Netherlands match so be sure to check in for that at 2:30 p.m., whether you’re watching the match or at work wishing you could watch.
Feel free to share all your pre-game and in-game thoughts on today’s Group C action in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
Yay Netherlands. I enjoyed Amsterdam much more than Rome when I visited. And I can not forgive the elbow to McBride’s face, nor the diving shammockery in the game vs. Australia. I hope Italy goes out in the first round. Hopefully beaten by France. HA!
Oh come on, call the stadium by it’s full name, the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf (seriously)
Why is Foudy talking?
French, the second most talented team in the tournament IMO (behind Spain), looked awful. Toulalan should not be paired with Makelele. Nasri should have come on sooner. And Anelka should not be alone up top. I hate Domenech.
No Cannovera? Fine, bring on Materazzi. Freakin’ Italians.
So much for both Robben and Van Persie being healthy at the same time for Holland, they get neither starting today.
Hopefully Italy/Netherlands is a better game than the one before it, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Holland: Van der Sar, Ooijer, Boulahrouz, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt, De Jong, Van der Vaart, Engelaar, Sneijder and van Nistelrooy. Subs from: Timmer, Stekelenburg, Heitinga, De Zeeuw, Van Persie, Robben, Melchiot, Bouma, De Cler, Huntelaar, Afellay and Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Barzagli, Materazzi, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Camoranesi, Toni and Di Natale. Subs from: Amelia, De Sanctis, Grosso, Chiellini, Gamberini, Del Piero, De Rossi, Borriello, Quagliarella, Cassano, Perrotta and Aquilani.
Regaurdless, blame lies in France. They’ve got to do better with their loads of talent. There is no excuse for them to not score verse Romania, no offense to them. Romania did what they had to do.
I love Andy Gray and Tommy Smith managing to bring up the Irish, even though they are absent… =(
come on guys it wasnt that horrible of a game and i’m a frence fan.
france started slow at the world cup in 06 and we all know how that turned out. the draw today makes the italy/netherlands game that much more intense. a draw and every one is even. a win and that team will have a clear advantage going forward as i dont see romania giving the netherlands and italy the same problems they gave france.