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Euro 2008 Pre-Match Analysis: Holland vs Italy Live Online

June 9, 2008

European Championships, Group C
Teams: Holland vs Italy
Date & Time: Monday 9 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Venue: Stade de Suisse, Berne
Match Official: Peter Frojfeldt (SWE)

The first of the highly anticipated encounters in the ‘Group of Death’ begins today and sees World Champions Italy take on Holland at the Stade de Suisse in Berne.

No major title in twenty years
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 world champions 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, even though not against the strongest of opposition. The Oranje’s 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 form of 2000, and hold both major international trophies at the same time.

The Azzurri, now coached by Roberto Donadoni, are one the favourites for the 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. The world champions may very well find themselves not making it beyond the group stage in a group with growing concerns over players fitness. Vastly becoming the” Group of injury”. 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 beaten world cup finalist France. Italy has impressed in their three friendlies this year, beating both Portugal and Belgium 3-1, and losing somewhat unfortunately 1-0 in Spain.

Past Meetings

Holland and Italy have only met twice in a major international tournament. The first was in the second group stages of the 1978 World Cup, when the Oranje’s came from behind to book their place in the final with a 2-1 win. Since then the Dutch have failed miserably to beat Italy, losing six and drawing just two from eight games. One of these was the epic Euro 2000 semi-final in Holland. The hosts were strong favorites to win the match, and they were boosted after just 34 minutes when Gianluca Zambrotta was sent off.

However some heroic defending from Dino Zoff’s men, not to mention two penalty misses from Frank De Boer and Patrick Kluivert ensured the game went to penalties, where Italy emerged victorious 3-1, with Francesco Toldo saving another two spot-kicks to crown a man-of-the-match display.

The last time the two teams played was in a friendly in November 2005, Italy won 3-1 in Amsterdam courtesy of goals from Alberto Gilardino, Mauro Camoranesi and Luca Toni, with Ryan Babel scoring for the Dutch goal.

Van Basten and Donadoni were part of the all-conquering Milan side of the late 1980s and early 90s, but it is Donadoni who has the upper hand in clashes between Holland and Italy. As a player Van Basten lost three and drew one of his four matches against the Azzurri, never once finding the net.

A look at the teams

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.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Holland – Edwin Van Der Sar

Given Holland’s defensive shortcomings, it is likely that Van der Sar will be called into action on more than one occasion, so the Manchester United man will be hoping for a more assured performance than he gave during normal time of the recent Champions League final against Chelsea. Van Der Sar is at the top of his game and if winning the double with Manchester United is something to go by He should be at his best.

Italy – Luca Toni

Toni is the focal point of every Italy attack, and will have a lot to say if the Azzurri are to go all the way in Austria and Switzerland. The Bayern Munich bomber hit a stunning 39 goals in all competitions for his club, and will be the favorite with the bookmakers to score first in this game. The last time these two teams met in 2005, Toni bullied the Dutch defense all night, scoring in a 3-1 win. The 31-year-old will surely fancy his chances against what, on paper, looks like a rather tentative Oranje defensive unit.

PREDICTION

With both sides hit by problems in defense, one thing that seems certain is that there will be chances and goals in this game. The Italians are slow starters usually in tournaments, but nevertheless if their forwards are on form it will be difficult for a weak Dutch defense to cope with them. The absence of Robben is also a massive blow for the Dutch, as he is the one player whose pace could have really hurt the Cannavaro-less Azzurri. With Matterazzi in defense and Van Nistelroy in good form the match up should be a box office hit. Much too close to call based on the injuries to both teams the decisive factor is going to be the depth of the bench. But as is always the case football is a game of unpredictable circumstances.

Holland 2-2 Italy

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