Holland - Italy ( Olanda - Italia ) Euro 2008
The first of the big clashes in the ‘Group of Death’ sees World Champions Italy take on Holland at the Stade de Suisse in Berne.
Twenty Years On
Twenty years have now passed since Holland’s one and only major international trophy, when Rinus Michel’s outstanding side won Euro ’88 following a 2-0 final success over the USSR.In that team was current Dutch manager Marco Van Basten, who scored probably the best goal in European Championship history, with a stunning volley from Arnold Muhren’s raking pass. At Euro 2008 Van Basten, who has already announced that he will be leaving at the end of the competition to take over at Ajax, is hoping to become the first person in history to win the Euros both as a player and as a coach.
However the former Milan striker knows he faces an extremely difficult task even to get through the group stages, having been drawn alongside Romania, France, and Monday’s opponents Italy.The relatively youthful and inexperienced Dutch struggled at times during their qualification, eventually finishing second in Group G, behind Romania. However their form in 2008 has been good, albeit not against the strongest of opposition. The Oranje have won four of their five matches this calendar year, drawing the other, and in their last warm-up test, defeated Wales 2-0.
Italy Going For The Double
World Champions Italy are attempting to repeat France’s feat from 2000, and hold both major international trophies at the same time.The Azzurri, now coached by Roberto Donadoni, would be the favourites for this competition had they not been handed such a tough draw, in which there is the possibility of them also playing Spain in the quarter-finals, and France or Holland again in the semis.For a while it seemed as if the Azzurri were not even going to make it to the Euros. Coach Roberto Donadoni, who replaced the legendary Marcello Lippi after the success in Germany, had a dreadful start to his reign, picking up just one point from his first two qualifiers.However Italy then went on an outstanding run, picking up 28 points out of a possible 30 to finish top of a tough qualifying group including Scotland, Ukraine and rivals France.Italy have largely impressed in their three friendlies this year, beating both Portugal and Belgium 3-1, and losing somewhat unfortunately 1-0 in Spain
Holland
Holland have been dealt a number of blows coming into the game, the
biggest of all came on Saturday when Arjen Robben was ruled out after picking up a groin problem. He will probably be replaced by young PSV player Ibrahim Afellay. Clarence Seedorf had already long pulled out of the squad citing personal reasons, while Ryan Babel suffered an ankle ligament injury on the eve of the tournament and was replaced by Khalid Boulahrouz. Robin Van Persie is not fit enough to start, and will probably play no part in the game. Mario Melchiot faces a race against time due to a pelvic complaint, but Wesley Sneijder should play despite an injury scare in training.
Italy
The Azzurri have some problems in defence, having been robbed of the services of inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro, who injured his ankle in training and has been replaced in the squad by Alessandro Gamberini. Christian Panucci had been a doubt for the game too due to a knee problem, however he should be available. Donadoni will probably employ a forward trident of Mauro Camoranesi, Luca Toni and the in-form Antonio Di Natale.
Over 2.5 or Italy win
Twenty Years On
Twenty years have now passed since Holland’s one and only major international trophy, when Rinus Michel’s outstanding side won Euro ’88 following a 2-0 final success over the USSR.In that team was current Dutch manager Marco Van Basten, who scored probably the best goal in European Championship history, with a stunning volley from Arnold Muhren’s raking pass. At Euro 2008 Van Basten, who has already announced that he will be leaving at the end of the competition to take over at Ajax, is hoping to become the first person in history to win the Euros both as a player and as a coach.
However the former Milan striker knows he faces an extremely difficult task even to get through the group stages, having been drawn alongside Romania, France, and Monday’s opponents Italy.The relatively youthful and inexperienced Dutch struggled at times during their qualification, eventually finishing second in Group G, behind Romania. However their form in 2008 has been good, albeit not against the strongest of opposition. The Oranje have won four of their five matches this calendar year, drawing the other, and in their last warm-up test, defeated Wales 2-0.
Italy Going For The Double
World Champions Italy are attempting to repeat France’s feat from 2000, and hold both major international trophies at the same time.The Azzurri, now coached by Roberto Donadoni, would be the favourites for this competition had they not been handed such a tough draw, in which there is the possibility of them also playing Spain in the quarter-finals, and France or Holland again in the semis.For a while it seemed as if the Azzurri were not even going to make it to the Euros. Coach Roberto Donadoni, who replaced the legendary Marcello Lippi after the success in Germany, had a dreadful start to his reign, picking up just one point from his first two qualifiers.However Italy then went on an outstanding run, picking up 28 points out of a possible 30 to finish top of a tough qualifying group including Scotland, Ukraine and rivals France.Italy have largely impressed in their three friendlies this year, beating both Portugal and Belgium 3-1, and losing somewhat unfortunately 1-0 in Spain
Holland
Holland have been dealt a number of blows coming into the game, the
biggest of all came on Saturday when Arjen Robben was ruled out after picking up a groin problem. He will probably be replaced by young PSV player Ibrahim Afellay. Clarence Seedorf had already long pulled out of the squad citing personal reasons, while Ryan Babel suffered an ankle ligament injury on the eve of the tournament and was replaced by Khalid Boulahrouz. Robin Van Persie is not fit enough to start, and will probably play no part in the game. Mario Melchiot faces a race against time due to a pelvic complaint, but Wesley Sneijder should play despite an injury scare in training.Italy
The Azzurri have some problems in defence, having been robbed of the services of inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro, who injured his ankle in training and has been replaced in the squad by Alessandro Gamberini. Christian Panucci had been a doubt for the game too due to a knee problem, however he should be available. Donadoni will probably employ a forward trident of Mauro Camoranesi, Luca Toni and the in-form Antonio Di Natale.
Over 2.5 or Italy win
posted by Midnight Sun @ 17:48,
1 Comments:
At 9 June 2008 at 09:26,
Anonymous said...
France will start as favorites against Romania.
Group C - Group of Death!