Group C Finale: Get the Picture-in-Picture Ready

2008-09-10T06:59:44-04:00

2008-06-17T11:16:42-04:00

2008-09-10T06:38:34-04:00

2008-06-17T15:38:46-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/408/360/thumb/Rohnnie.jpg 345 VA

Ronaldinho's Dog

Falls Church 408800

About time for the first French fan. Vive la Romanie! 1999754

2008-06-17T14:53:08-04:00

Manuel224

Philadelphia 247367

Allez les Bleus.... vive la France !!! 1999188

2008-06-17T14:52:34-04:00

Manuel224

Philadelphia 247367

Allez les Bleus... vive la France ! 1999203

2008-06-17T14:29:30-04:00

caferacer586

Rancho Cucamonga 166433

All I have to say is this: HAI ROMANIA!!! Who cares what's going on in the other match, you have to get after it and beat the Dutch!!! 1998889

2008-06-17T14:24:47-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/441/471/thumb/auge.jpg 6 XX

roelandbeers@xs4all.nl

Alkmaar 441911

The Dutch lineup is now clear... and they (we) start with 9 different players than previous matches.. but to call it a B-squad with subs Huntelaar (top-scorer of this season in the Netherlands), Van Persie, Robben? I see enough firepower still. But imagine this... The Dutch win with 2-0 and france and Italy tie at 0-0... then still Romania is through! 1998847

2008-06-17T14:00:47-04:00

sottovoce

Newark 83633

Its more a battle of the bad coaches. Van Basten's players have played well despite his poor decisions, whereas Italy has played even worse due to Donadoni's lack of leadership. His men no longer respect him. Let's not even discuss Domenech. Both Donadoni and Domenech are out after Euro 2008. The question is how long Van Basten can ride the coat tails of his squad. Dutch 2-1 over Romania. Italy & France deadlock 2-2. Look for a Cassano red card and Henry to take a dive. 1998541

2008-06-17T13:47:39-04:00

Peppo1178

Summit 441852

j11forbes can't agree with you more. You are dead on with your comment. Italy was built for the 4-3-1-2 formation. I think Donadoni passed on that formation though because Totti is no longer on the squad. Truly a sad moment. 1998371

2008-06-17T13:35:21-04:00

barkking

Sacramento 441898

Italy gets through. Too bad. France and italy have played below themselves and deserve to be out. Romania and Netherlands 1-1 Italy over France 2-0 Romania is better than they are getting credit for. 1998196

2008-06-17T13:33:22-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/286/29/thumb/images.jpg 1386 CO

j11forbes: Go Jo-Jo Go!

Denver 28709

Correction: Italy only advances in that siutation if their draw with France results in them scoring at least one goal. Then, because they had scored more goals in the head to head matchups with Romania and France (since Romania v. France was a scoreless draw where as Romania v. Italy was a 1-1 draw). If, however, Italy v. France is a scoreless draw, then it will be determined by group goal differential. So if Romania lose by less than three goals, they are through. If they lose by more than three goals, Italy is through. If Romania loses by three goals but still scores against the Dutch, they go through. If Romania lose to the Dutch by 3-0, then Italy go through due to having a higher co-efficient. Make sense to everybody? 1998204

2008-06-17T13:23:57-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/286/29/thumb/images.jpg 1386 CO

j11forbes: Go Jo-Jo Go!

Denver 28709

If all three teams in Group C wind up with 2 points, Italy advances. I'm not sure the exact reason, but I've read it several places. 1998096

It’s Group of Death day again at Euro 2008, and for the first time in three days we’ll have to keep a close eye on both games being played at the same time. If Romania (2 points) beats the Netherlands, the Romanians are in and France (1 point) and Italy (1 point) are out. France needs to win to have any chance of reaching the knockout round, while Italy can make it with a tie and some help. Here’s how I’m seeing the games: Italy vs. France (2:45 p.m. ET, ESPN). Amazing but true: at least one of the World Cup ’06 finalists will be eliminated today, perhaps both. The best European soccer rivalry in recent years gets an added zing with both teams playing for their tournament lives. Romania can make this game a moot point with a win over the Dutch, but we don’t see that happening (see below). France absolutely needs to win here, so look for Ray Domenech to lose some of his caution and send the boys forward. Antonio Cassano might get a start up top for Italy, but I’m thinking Luca Toni will be the man of the hour and finally connect on one of his trademark headers in the box. Lord knows he’s been getting plenty of service from Fabio Grosso and Gianluca Zambrotta. Italy 2, France 1.Netherlands vs. Romania (2:45 p.m. ET, <strike>ESPN2</strike> ESPN Classic). No, I don’t like any set-up in which it’s in the Netherlands’ interest to tank a game. But the fact is that while some teams might consider doing that, I don’t include the Dutch to be among them. There’s just too much pride in Marco van Basten’s side, and this Oranje team has a chance to feature among the all-time greats if it keeps its run going. In a tournament that has rewarded attacking soccer, it wouldn’t be right if the defensive-minded Romanians got through. Netherlands 3, Romania 1.Who do you like to get through Group C alongside the Dutch? Please post your comments below, and check back in for a Euro Blog update after today’s games ... 1326 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/194/315/thumb/wahl_grant.jpg 11 MD

Grant Wahl

Baltimore 194615