Netherlands - France ( Olanda - Franta)
Friday evening's encounter between the Netherlands and France is fascinatingly poised. A Dutch victory would seal their place in the knockout stages and put France under severe pressure
The Future's Bright, The Future's Oranje
It was a case of 'brilliant Oranje' for the Dutch on Monday as a breathtaking display of counter-attacking football proved far too much for a beleaguered Italian side to handle. Victory in their tournament opener gives the Netherlands a superb chance of progressing from the 'Group of Death'. Victory over the French on Friday evening would ensure 
progression and really lay down a message of intent to the other big nations. Head coach Marco Van Basten, who departs to take over Ajax after the tournament, will be acutely aware that it is not how the Dutch start the tournament but how they finish. Although Monday's 3-0 victory appears emphatic the margins were fine. After Ruud van Nistlerooy's highly controversial opening goal the Dutch scored their second and third goals from swift counters moments after the Italians had posed a serious threat at the opposite end of the field. Van Basten remains coy regarding his side's chances telling the assembled press after Tuesday's victory that, “We have won just one game. It is only the first step.”
progression and really lay down a message of intent to the other big nations. Head coach Marco Van Basten, who departs to take over Ajax after the tournament, will be acutely aware that it is not how the Dutch start the tournament but how they finish. Although Monday's 3-0 victory appears emphatic the margins were fine. After Ruud van Nistlerooy's highly controversial opening goal the Dutch scored their second and third goals from swift counters moments after the Italians had posed a serious threat at the opposite end of the field. Van Basten remains coy regarding his side's chances telling the assembled press after Tuesday's victory that, “We have won just one game. It is only the first step.” Raymond Domenech: Feeling Les Bleus
France's head coach, Raymond Domenech, finds it difficult to stay out of the papers for the wrong reasons. Even when the French side are going well few pundits have too many complimentary words to say about the former Lyon boss but after catastrophes such as Monday's scoreless draw with Romania there are no shortage of critics. Les Bleus' tepid draw with the Romanians resonated loudly around Europe. German tabloid newspaper Bild declared Domenech an “idiot” while the French media were highly critical of his tactics without ever being quite so cutting.
Netherlands
Marco Van Basten was without a plethora of attacking talent for the Dutch side's opening game of the tournament and will face France with a depleted squad. Ryan Babble (ankle ligaments) and Clarence Seedorf (personal reasons) are, of course, unavailable but Van Basten's squad is otherwise returning towards fitness. Robin Van Persie was fit enough to play a cameo role against Italy while Melchiot is also expected to be strong enough to play a part if required. There is only one Dutch doubt and that comes in the form of Arjen Robben. The Real Madrid winger is closing in on fitness and could be used to play a part from the bench.
Predicted Starting Eleven: Van der Sar; Van Bronckhorst, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, Mathijsen; de Jong, Engelaar, van der Vaart, Sneijder, Kuyt; Van Nistlerooy
France
Like the Dutch les Ble
us were adversely affected by injury for their tournament opener however unlike Friday's opponents France could not cope. Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were conspicuous by their absence against Romania and both will likely play a part if deemed fit enough. Henry should certainly return to the starting eleven however there are greater doubts over the fitness of Vieira. Raymond Domenech will likely make a handful of changes to the side that claimed a feeble point against Romania.
us were adversely affected by injury for their tournament opener however unlike Friday's opponents France could not cope. Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were conspicuous by their absence against Romania and both will likely play a part if deemed fit enough. Henry should certainly return to the starting eleven however there are greater doubts over the fitness of Vieira. Raymond Domenech will likely make a handful of changes to the side that claimed a feeble point against Romania. Predicted Starting Eleven: Coupet; Clerc, Abidal, Gallas, Thuram; Toulalan, Nasri, Makélélé, Ribéry; Henry, Benzema
2-0 Netherlands or Under 2.5
posted by Midnight Sun @ 21:06,
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