|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dutch Cruise While France Stumbles |
| [Euro 2008] France 0-0 Romania; Netherlands 3-0 Italy |
|
Yagesh Dev Panta (mosaictogo)  |
 Email Article
 Print Article
|
|
|
|
Published 2008-06-10 09:37 (KST) |
|
|
|
On what was arguably the most anticipated day of Euro 2008 play so far, on which the so-called Group of Death saw action, four heavyweights -- France, Romania, the Netherlands and Italy -- went head to head on Monday.
A favored result for any of these teams would bolster its chances of getting out of the group stages.
 |
TODAY'S TOP STORIES |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
FROM THE SECTION |
|
|
|
|
| France vs. Romania
Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich was the venue for the day's first kickoff -- between France and Romania.
Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were forced to watch the games from the sidelines due to injury. Their places were taken by Nicolas Anelka and Jeremy Toulalan, respectively.
The French got off to a bright start and their first effort on goal came at the ninth minute, but the shot from Anelka went wide of the post. From early on, it wasn't to be France's day.
France kept pushing for the lead, but they didn't get much from a composed and organized Romanian defense.
The Romanian offense had a difficult time for much of the early part of the game, as they couldn't string passes together.
The game started to get livelier around the half hour mark, but the final delivery was still missing. France's best chance to score was scuffed high off the bar from six yards out, as Anelka couldn't convert a cross that fell to him.
From that point on, the game went on to be a defensive struggle as both team's defenses were cancelling each other out.
The game was in a dead lock heading into half time. The start of the second half was much of the same as France kept pushing and Romania were defending in numbers.
The first opportunity of the second half came for France, as Florent Malouda beat his man, but his shot skyrocketed over the bar. Forward Karim Benzema should have put the French ahead after a lovely pass from Ribery, but Benzema's shot was weak and straight to the keeper.
Midway through second half, Romania had a good spell, but similar to France, they couldn't find the killer instinct on the last third of the pitch, and the game looked to be headed to a draw.
The pace of the game was dwindling and France did not know what to do with the ball. Romania was giving nothing away. The final whistle blew and France knew they let an opportunity slip by. Romania looked content with the draw and will be happy with the result. The Blues have some work to do.
Netherlands vs. Italy
Stade de Suisse was the venue of the marquee matchup of the day. The Dutch were trying to beat the Italians at a major competition for the first time since 1978, and they would put in a magnificent performance.
The game started of very brightly as there was something different for this one. The stadium was rocking, and both teams in the opening minutes looked content to do whatever it takes to win. Little did we know what was in store.
The Dutch were in absolute control from the 10th minute in. They were playing some brilliant football, and the Italians were chasing shadows. All the dominance finally paid off in the 26th minute. Italian keeper Buffon cleared a Van der Vaart free kick only as far as Van Bronckhorst as he fired a shot back. His shot was sent home by Van Nistelrooy who looked very much offside. The goal was allowed and the goal stood.
The Dutch kept pushing, and they got their second goal in the 31st minute, which was a treat. After an Italian corner was cleared off the line by Van Bronckhorst, he was released by Van der Vaart, who made a great pass to release Bronckhorst. He then crossed the ball to Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, who nodded it to Wesley Sneijder, who banked it past Buffon to give the Dutch their second goal.
The Azzurri should have put one back but Di Natale's shot went straight at Dutch keeper Edwin Van der Sar.
The Italians looked stunned, and the Dutch were flawless in the first half. The second half began and the Italians were putting more pressure on the ball. As was the case in the first half, they couldn't break through a resilient Dutch defense.
The Dutch got their third goal in a similar fashion as the first -- a superb counter attack. The Italians were awarded a free kick near the box, and Pirlo had a great effort stopped by an even better save. The Dutch keeper quickly sprang the ball forward to Van Bronckhorst, who crossed it to Dirk Kuyt.
Kuyt's initial shot was saved by Buffon, but he recollected the cross and fed it to Van Bronckhorst who put the game to bed in the 80th minute.
All in all, it was a magnificent performance by the Dutch, and the Italians need to find an answer quickly. The group is in the hands of the Dutch for right now, and today's set of results makes for an exciting phase in the competition.
|
|
©2008 OhmyNews
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Comments Note: Kindly refrain from personal attacks and profanity. |
 |
 |
|
|
|
1. proud
|
rudy klopppers , 2008-06-11 05:36
|
1 |
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
How worried are you about the H1N1 influenza virus? |
|
 |
| * Vote to see the result. |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RSS
Del.icio.us
Digg 
reddit
Y! MyWeb
.jpg)
