What: European Championships, Group C
Who: Holland vs Italy
When: Monday 9 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: Stade de Suisse, Berne
Referee: Peter Frojfeldt (SWE)
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.
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 came from behind to book their place in the final with a 2-1 win.
Since then the Dutch have actually failed 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 favourites 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, with Italy winning 3-1 in Amsterdam thanks to goals from Alberto Gilardino, Mauro Camoranesi and Luca Toni, with Ryan Babel hitting the Dutch goal.
Van Basten and Donadoni were part of the all-conquering Milan side of the late 1980s and early 90s, but it was the latter who had 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.
FORM GUIDE
Holland
01/06 (Friendly): Holland-Wales 2-0
29/05 (Friendly): Holland-Denmark 1-1
24/05 (Friendly): Holland-Ukraine 3-0
26/03 (Friendly): Austria-Holland 3-4
06/02 (Friendly): Croatia-Holland 0-3
Italy
29/05 (Friendly): Italy-Belgium 3-1
26/03 (Friendly): Spain-Italy 1-0
06/02 (Friendly played in Zurich): Italy-Portugal 3-1
21/11 (Euro 2008 Qualifier): Italy-Faroe Islands 3-1
17/11 (Euro 2008 Qualifier): Scotland-Italy 1-2
TEAM NEWS
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.
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 favourite with the bookmakers to score first in this game. The last time these two teams met in 2005, Toni bullied the Dutch defence 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 shaky Oranje backline.
PREDICTION
With both sides hit by problems in defence, one thing that seems certain is that there will be chances and goals in this game. Italy are slow starters usually in tournaments, but nevertheless if their forwards are on form it will be difficult for a weak Dutch defence 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..
Holland 1-3 Italy
Anthony Sorman
Sauce: Goal.com
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