Holland and Italy through to the next round. Euro 2008

Minutes ago tonights Euro 2008 games ended between Holland and Romania and Italy vs France.

Holland, despite making 9 changes, managed an impressive 2-0 win against Romania. Something neither Italy or France had managed to do with full strength teams out against them. And Holland based on group stage performances must be clear favourites for the tournament now.

The Italy France match never lived up to the exciting game it promised to be.
Toni failed to find the net agaian despite having maybe 7 clear chances.
Italy won 2-0 and a woeful France will just want to go home and forget this tournament ever happened.

Italy must feel as though they have been given a second chance now though and surely must pick up their game in the quarter finals.
It’s not as though they have not created chances so far in this tournament. Even against Holland they had several excellent chances, however the lack of confidence in front of goal has seen them struggle whilst Buffon has done more than his share to ensure they move on through this stage of the competiton.
Toni, who I admired before the tournament and quietly thought he could be one of the top scorers, has failed to give Italy the goals that they desperately needed in the group and some people will say he should be dropped based on some of the chances he has scuppered so far. but who do you replace him with? well Del Piero for me is a better striker and his form this year suggests he still has some life in him yet, but I could not say he still has the stamina to play 90 mins in a top tournament.

Thankfully though they do go through. Remember they are my tip for the tournament. Surely based on performances so far they would find it hard to live with the likes of Holland, Spain or Portugal but only a fool would write them off totally.

Time to get a bit Tasty! Holland vs Italy and Romania vs France. Euro 2008

Today is the day it all gets a bit more serious.

Up to now it’s been the favourites that have won each game and to those watching there’s been no real drama.

Tonight though Holland play Italy and both of them will want to get off to a flying start to signal their intent.

Both have a great pedigree and when I watched Holland play Wales last week they looked more than worthy of their place in the championships.

Italy, my adopted club for the tournament, have lost Cannavarro which will be a big blow but I still think they’re tight enough to keep the Dutch out. I fancy a 1-0 win to Italy but don’t let that prediction fool you into thinking this will be a stale game. If the Dutch don’t go throwing themselves to the floor every time somebody looks at them they are a great team to watch. Former Chelsea star Arjen Robben looked on top form against Wales so the news that he will miss this opener with a groin strain will be pleasing news for the Italians.

Also today will see France kick off their competition. Romania should not have the strength throughout to upset the French but you never quite know which French team is going to turn up.

All in all it should be a decent evening of football.

My predictions: Italy 1 – Holland 0 Romania 1 France 3