Euro 2008: Matchday 11 (Group C)
Three teams. One spot. We all knew Group C of the European Championships would be the most competitive, but I'm not sure many of us could have imagined just how the group would play out.
The Netherlands have torched Italy and France on its way to a berth in the quarterfinals. That leaves Romania, France and Italy to vie for the second quarterfinal berth in the group. This brings us to France-Italy, a rematch of the 2006 World Cup final. The winner will reach the quarters if Romania loses to the Netherlands. If Romania ties the Netherlands and Italy and France tie then we are in a dizzying series of tie-breakers to determine the second qualifier.
France and Italy will be facing off today on ESPN at 2:30pm. Whether it's Italy-France or Netherlands-Romania, please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions on today's action in the comments section below. I will post my own commentary in the comments section as well.
Enjoy the matches.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Bah, keeping Touloun, and benching Malouda. Bad decision by Domenech.
Posted by: dano | June 17, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Lets get ready for some legal match fixing everyone!!! Holland and Romania will have the 2 dumbest coaches in the tournament if they allow the French or Italians to make it to the Qtrs.
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 02:47 PM
There is not a single ounce of creativity in the center of the French midfield.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 02:47 PM
gotta keep Toulalon in there becuase he's quicker and faster than his partner Makelele. I wouldve preferred to see Makelele dropped in favor of Sami Nasri
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 02:49 PM
great point messiah, everything from the French will come from the wings with Ribery and Govou
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Well, the Dutch have the JV lineup in. Even Dirk Kuyt didn't get the call, so that tells you how far down the bench Van Basten is going. No word on the veracity of the rumor that he was hanging out at the Dutch fans' hotels looking for scrubs to throw in against Team Vampire.
Truth be told, Van Basten is in an enviable position. He can eliminate two of the most obnoxious teams in recent memory by exerting as little effort as possible. It's not really a bad position to be in.
(Cue Geico Gecko: "It's the Queen wanting to know if you want to have dinner at the Palace, or the Castle. Either way, you've having' filet mignon."
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 02:52 PM
I still say van Persie or Robben nick at least something from Romania.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Ribery is being carted off the field. Surely Domenech must have seen this, so the sub should be in rather promptly.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Nasri time. Domenech is a moron. Nasri shouldve been on from the start
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Where does he play? Nasri is a natural "tres-quartista" and Ribery was on the left wing
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Nasri should've been starting, but not for RIbery. Should've been starting up front.
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Yeah Benzema hasnt shown anything this tournament to justify the huge price tag
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Looks like Nasri has been given a free role to roam and playmake. Now with Ribery out and Nasri drifting central, look for TH14 to take his usual position, cutting in from the left wing
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:01 PM
22nd minute- Italy has the French on the back-foot. Losing Ribery is huge for the French and I'm not sure if Nasri can pick up the slack.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:07 PM
well, that looks like the end of the french
Posted by: nad | June 17, 2008 at 03:10 PM
As long as Italy do not make it out of the first round, I will be happy. That said, I don't really want to see France make it out of the first round either.
Go Romania!
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Was that really a penalty and a red card?
Posted by: Dominghosa | June 17, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Bad play by Abidal, he gets sent off, Italy go up 1-0, and the game is over.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Italy penalty, Abidal sent off, France a player down coupled with the loss of creative Ribery and fighting back from 1-0 against an Italian team. I'd say France are as good as out
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:11 PM
25th minute- GOAL ITALY. Pirlo converts the penalty and now France must come from behind a man down after Eric Abidal was sent off for taking down Luca Toni in the area.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Nasri comes off for Boumsong.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 03:12 PM
27th minute- Boumsong on for Nasri to make up for the loss of Abidal. That's a tough one for Nasri, who barely had a chance to do anything. Raymond Domenench looks lost.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Abidal receives a well deserved Red for a horrible attempt to stop Toni from behind (no where near getting the ball) and instead brings him down.
Italy 1-0 France
Posted by: DCM | June 17, 2008 at 03:13 PM
C'mon Team Vampire! Pressure's really on now that a draw won't cut it. Maybe they'll announce the score and the Oranje can just sit down on the pitch for a while.
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 03:13 PM
FIRE DOMENECH NOW!
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 03:14 PM
A goal down, and you sub off an offensive player for a defensive one? I understand you just lost a central defender, but you need a goal. I would have let them play til halftime, and then made a change.
Posted by: dano | June 17, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Nasri off for Boumsong? WOW!!! Domenech is not even pretending to try this game. In a game that needs French goals, Domenech takes of the most creative player on the roster and replaces him with the worst defender France has ever known. I suspect Domenech will be sacked at halftime. How is that for karma Michel Platini?
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:14 PM
28th minute- Luca Toni almost backheels a shot on goal.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:14 PM
30th minute- Italy looks energized now and doesn't look like it is trying to sit on 1-0. They are attacking and France doesn't look close to responding.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Mutu is going to regret his horrible penalty attempt vs Italy at the end of this day.
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Is it possible to fire a coach *during* the game?! France soooooo need to pitch Domenech off the nearest Alp.
Pull Nasri after 17 minutes?!
Put in Boumsong?!
What's he doing, protecting the loss?!
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 03:15 PM
I don't even want to watch the rest of this match. I'm not sure Domenech has made a positive decision once this entire tournament, and there's no reason why the team as constituted, and down a man, should have any hope of coming back.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 03:16 PM
The one certainty in this match is that Makelele and Toulalan will finish the game. Can't sacrifice a defensive midfielder when goals need to be scored after all.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 03:18 PM
You have to feel for Nasri. He got a raw deal in terms of his playing time the entire tournament. France needed his creativity in every game and ends up playing a total of 25 minutes in 3 games. And we thought Bob Bradley doesnt know how to use his squad. Domenech makes BB look like Capello
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Toni, making Eddie Johnson look good since Euro 2008
Posted by: Shoshana | June 17, 2008 at 03:18 PM
If France tie this game, Luca Toni will have a LOT to answer for
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:19 PM
That kind of finish is the only way France will score. Too bad Henry wasn't up to the task.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 03:20 PM
36th minute- France showing more life, but still can't finish.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:22 PM
France needs to go balls out starting now. Forget being down a man, the Italians are going to bunker down. If Domenech had an ounce of tactical acumen, he would pull Toulalon and throw on another striker
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:22 PM
37th minute- Dangerous France free kick after Gattuso fouls Henry from behind.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:23 PM
What shockingly abysmal displays from France and Italy this first round. OMG just awful.
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 03:23 PM
38th minute- Benzema takes the free kick and puts it into the wall. The kick got about a yard off the ground.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:24 PM
that sound you here is Benzema's transfer price dropping like the stock market
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:24 PM
I agree with the sentiment Doug, but I think you have to take out Makelele in that scenario, if for no other reason than Makelele is a bit old to be doing the running that would be required on his own.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 03:24 PM
out of all the youngsters expected to star in Euro 2008 (Benzema, Mario Gomez, Modric) the one who is looking best is Arda from Turkey. Ives who are the top youngsters in your opinion this tourney?
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Just letting you know at least one person is following this to keep track the game. I appreciate your updates guys!
Posted by: Dave | June 17, 2008 at 03:26 PM
I'd leave Makelele becuase you dont have to worry about him going forward. Toulalon is more of a Vieira-type box to box midfielder
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:26 PM
42nd minute- You wouldn't know France was a man down based on how the game is going. Italy isn't taking advantage.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Andy Gray mentions "belief" for the French team. The last time he did it was the monumental comeback with the Turks. A sign maybe?
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:28 PM
I cannot even fathom why Boumsong is in there for his defense, rather than his comedic talents while pretending to defend. They guy got cut by Newcastle... NEWCASTLE! If you can't play defense for Newcastle, you can't play for anyone*
France has no midfield linkage from attack to defense. They look like The Crew in 2006. Or just about any French team since Zindane retired.
* And Galaxy fans, take note: Babayaro was cut by Newcastle, signed with LA, and then was cut by LA. So if you can't play in the back for Newcastle, you really *can't* play in the back for anyone.
And as I type this, I'm wearing my Newcastle jersey at work. Don't laugh; it's clean :)
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 03:28 PM
44th minute- Grosso free kick hits the left post. Wow, what a free kick.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:30 PM
doug said "If Domenech had an ounce of tactical acumen"
C'mon - we answered that months ago! And confirmed it about 20 minutes ago! :)
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 03:30 PM
45th minute- Andrea Pirlo just got a yellow card and will miss the quarters if Italy makes it. The Italians are upset that France kept playing after an Italian player went down with an injury.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:31 PM
45th minute- Grosso's free kick was actually saved by Coupet, who got finger tips to it that just directed it off the left post. That was a sure goal.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Holland and Romania is mind numbing football. In the 2nd half expect Mutu to ask Bouhlarhouz to take him out in the box in minute 93 for a penalty that knocks out Italy and France
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Italian player goes down with an "injury"?!?!?! WOW!! I've never seen that before! DIVING CHEATS!!!!!!!
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 03:32 PM
i love these Nike commercials. just thought i'd say this
Posted by: doug | June 17, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Homey - one can only hope the French score as the 'injured' Italian is laying over the end line, in the mistaken belief that the attacker would be offsides if he did so :)
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 03:34 PM
In the other game, Netherlands B-team is not giving an inch to Romania. Box to box action, but no goals at the half.
Posted by: g-loff | June 17, 2008 at 03:34 PM
doug - are those the 'first-person' commercials? those rock.
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 03:35 PM
HALFTIME- Italy 1, France 0. The Italians have the lead and are a man up, but France still hasn't given up despite losing Eric Abidal to a red card and Franck Ribery to an injury.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:35 PM
I wonder what Domenech is saying to his team at the half...
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 03:37 PM
I wonder if Nasri already booked his own flight home to leave before halftime is over.
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 03:45 PM
I really needed France to do something in this tournament. Between watching the Red Bulls lumber along through the season, and following along Newcastles offseason (or lack thereof), it was all I had to look forward to.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 03:50 PM
47th minute- And we're off.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:51 PM
I still can't get my head around Ribery going off due to injury, Nasri going in, and then being subbed out. Inexplicable.
Posted by: RK | June 17, 2008 at 03:53 PM
@Manic:
Hey - Newcastle let Carr go in the offseason: addition by subtraction!
(I'm surprised Domenech hasn't tried to sign him up for the French squad...)
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Domenench at halftime: "Has anyone heard if the Mexico job has been filled? Wait, they gave it to Eriksson? Well I guess that means I have no job prospects for the future. Maybe ESPN will let me commentate with Tommy Smyth, people always say we have the same amount of football acumen."
Posted by: g-loff | June 17, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Benzema had an open look from about 25 but sent it high.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Van Persie pulls a Toni, brings the ball down beautifully in the box, but can't capitalize. Only difference is Van Persie actually forces the keeper to make a decent save.
Posted by: g-loff | June 17, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Two observations:
1. Watching Toni miss chance after chance, I really have to wonder just how bad the defense is in hte Budesliga (I mean didn't he score over 30 goals there this season?).
2. Although there is not much to cheer for so far, I will still cry out a rousing Hup, Holland Hup!!!!!
Posted by: William the Terror | June 17, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Netherlands have scored so Italy is in if this stays the same. Netherlands 1, Romania 0
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 04:01 PM
This is all going horribly wrong. Why didn't Mutu score that penalty? WHY!?!?!?
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 04:01 PM
62nd minute- GOAL ITALY!!!!!!! DeRossi with a blast.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 04:07 PM
2-0 Italy. Domenech will probably be getting ready to replace Govou with a striker right about now. He makes me sick.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Heavens, this is making me want to work.
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 04:08 PM
DeRossi's long-range free kick was deflected by Thierry Henry in the wall, leaving Coupet helpless. And Italy looks ready to go to the quarterfinals. Better yet, we're looking at Spain-Italy in the quarters.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 04:09 PM
@Manic - No, no. Now is the time for the three defensive holding midfielders formation!
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 04:09 PM
The mere thought of Italy going through sickens me. They have played a shameful tournament. The only more shameful performance has been turned in by the French. It would be just like the Italians to sneak through the back door and then beat Spain and win the damn tournament. Jeez, even the co-hosts have represented better than the Italians. What a cruel joke.
Posted by: William the Terror | June 17, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Brilliant shot by Benzema, good save by Buffon.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Ah yes - the genius of the Boumsong substitution is now in full bloom!
Italy score and double their lead, and now he's carrying a yellow card.
If Domenech had replaced Nasri with blow-up doll, would it have been less effective?
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Domenech came into all of these games with a negative mindset, and France are getting everything they deserve at this point.
Les bleus are more noir et bleu after the beatings in the last 2 matches.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 17, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Romania just whacking the ball out from the back, with almost every ball going straight to from the back to the Dutch keeper. When Romania do happen to move the ball through the midfield, they easily give it away in the final third. The Dutch B-team has too much class for Romania right now.
Posted by: g-loff | June 17, 2008 at 04:25 PM
82nd minute- Aquilani for Gattuso. And no, France looks no closer to tying this one up.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Yikes, the Dutch have 62% of possession...
Posted by: RK | June 17, 2008 at 04:32 PM
And the Dutch make it 2-0. Poor Romania...
Posted by: RK | June 17, 2008 at 04:32 PM
A comical bit of attempted finishing by Romania, with about 6 chances that finish with a nice bike that goes about 10 yds over.
Posted by: g-loff | June 17, 2008 at 04:33 PM
FINAL- Italy 2, France 0 and Italy is into the quarterfinals. Italy vs. Spain. WOW, what a quarterfinal.
Posted by: Ives | June 17, 2008 at 04:39 PM
It's amazing that all the Dutch have to do to earn the undying love of the footballing world is roll over and play dead, and they can't even do that.
I mean, c'mon - if you're going to play to win, then beat the piss out of the Romanians. If you can beat France and Italy by combined 7-1, you ought to be able to beat Team Dracula by at least that. If you're going to not try, then don't try.
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 04:40 PM
This group of death was embarrassing for everyone but Holland.
Posted by: HomeyBoehme | June 17, 2008 at 04:44 PM
I think the Group of Death was so named for the effect on the audience.
Posted by: Brant | June 17, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Well, three wins in three games for a very classy Dutch team. Clearly, they are playing full out attacking, entertaining football.
Quarters:
Portugal v. Germany -- good game
Croatia v. Turkey -- good game
Holland v. Russia/Sweden -- good game
Spain v. the shameful Italians -- GO SPAIN
I guess I can always hope that the Italina team bus slides off an icy Alpine road on the way to the game and falls into a 4000' crevasse (but dammit, it's summer and that's not very likely.
Semifinalists: Portugal; Turkey; Holland and Spain.
Posted by: William the Terror | June 17, 2008 at 04:47 PM
I don't know what this has to do with anything, but coach Ruud just admitted in a post-game interview with ESPN that he used to look like a porn star. I feel like people need to know this sort of thing.
Posted by: Joe | June 17, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Why are the Italians shameful?
Posted by: Dante | June 17, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Because they came into this tournament as one of the favorites and played like absolute crap. They were humiliated by the Dutch (although that is a relavitive term, as the Italians don't seem to undertsand the concept of humility). Then they should have lost to Romania but sneaked out with a tie. But, at least they proved that they can win against a ten-man side of geriatrics. If they had any pride at all, they would decline to participate in the quarters and give Spain a pass. Not that we have much to woory about in that regard, as Spain should blow through their defense quite handily.
Don't worry, my scorn also extends to France and Germany, both of which have underwhelmed following massive pre-tourny hype.
Hup, Holland, Hup!!
Posted by: William the Terror | June 17, 2008 at 05:31 PM
why the f*** is everyone hatin' on italy?? France dove JUST as much except ours got called for a pk... The ref missed some real fouls on us anyway...
besides that, towards the end, when camoranesi's shot got deflected and went out for the corner(or throw-in i dont remember) i think cassano gave him the ball...u could tell that aquilani desperately wanted the ball at his feet for one of his trademark BOMBS. i was hoping for that too...
Posted by: Richard | June 17, 2008 at 05:32 PM
uh-huh, they're shameful b/c they're the WC champs... yea, real smart mr. HUP
of course theres gonna be hype... its the f***ing italian media! and american media thats blows this "WC FINAL REMATCH" out of proportion...
that being said, i dont see how the dutch aren't the favorite's at this point... with van der sar being an obvious keeper of the tournament...
Posted by: Richard | June 17, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Being world cup champs in 2006 does not make them #@&* today.
Posted by: William the Terror | June 17, 2008 at 05:49 PM
@Richard:
And, to address your second point -- having followed the Dutch since the 74 World Cup, I have grown used to disappointment in these tournaments. So, while I am with the Oranje heart and soul, another early exit will not surprise me.
Posted by: William the Terror | June 17, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Anyone know why Tommy Smyth has been AWOL the past few days?
Posted by: peteo | June 17, 2008 at 06:48 PM