Holland-Italy

delija_sever029

And the group of death is today on.I would kinda like Holland to win,i think they could be good on this tournament and kinda ready to do something big.I am getting tired of Italy and that defensive football and would preffer Holland and France out of this group to get through.I still expect a draw out of this game

kenco

Agree totally

I think this game as draw written all over it. Italy will miss Cannavaro and will be relatively cautious (which is a pity with their firepower). For the neutral it would be great for Holland to score first and force Italy to go for it.

Would not surprise me at all if the first round of games here are both draws

DerekD Goldfish

I expect Italy and romania to come out of this group
Dont rate France or Hollands current managers and their teams are both carried by a few strong players.
2-0 Nill Italy win tonight with a 1-1 draw in the other game

_blank_

I hope holland come through, and I think they'll do a number on Italy tonight.

3-1

Death or Glory

got my money on 0-0 here

Im_No_Superman

Fancy Italy to win this one myself, holland have a fair few injuries and can see Pirlo (one of my fav players ever) dominating the midfield with Gattuso.

Vokes

I think Holland are gonna struggle to score with no width in the team. I'm not really familiar with that Afellay guy - he's there only fit winger, right?

Italy to win 1-0 comfortably.

delija_sever029

Robben isnt playing,right?

Vokes

Yeh, no wingers basically + V. Persie is touch and go.

delija_sever029

I remember their game on WC 2006 when they won 1-0 against us Robben was so dangerous on left wing,he practicly destroyed us and except him Holland team wasnt so good,i just think without him they arent so good and its huge difference

monkey9

1-1

ibh

2-1 Italy. Luca Toni to grab both goals.

I think Holland are going to have a poor tournament. Hope i'm wrong cause i love seeing attacking football from them but i think they have a sh!t defence and their defensive MF is poor.

Vokes

Holland defence had the best goals conceded record in qualifying along with the French and Czechs.

mru

SofaK wrote: »

Holland defence had the best goals conceded record in qualifying along with the French and Czechs.

you'd hope the italians would take this into account, and actually try to go for the win (which is not their style I know), but still - we can dream...

would be a great match to watch if both sides needed to win, it's just unfortunate that a draw would prob better suit both sides in the opening game.

Bubs101

I'm a massive Italy fan but I'm more than a little worried about this match. No Nesta or Cannavaro means that Barzagli and Matterazzi will be our centre back partnership which more than fills me with fear, especially against Holland's attack. There's no doubt in my mind that that defence will concede goals, even if Gigi is on inspired form. Luckily, up front, we're spoiled for options. Toni is the clear mainstay up front but should he have a bad game Del Piero is great back up when on this form. Di Natale has never had a bad game for Italy and Camoranesi is a solid solid player to support Toni. Think we have the best central midfield in Gattuso, Pirlo and De Rossi. Considering how crap Holland's defence is, would be surprised if we scored less than two.

~Rebel~

Cant see past Italy for this one with Babel out, Robben out and VP seriously struggling. They'll be very narrow which i think will play into Italy's hands. Im thinking 2-0 to Italy.

mru

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Cant see past Italy for this one with Babel out, Robben out and VP seriously struggling. They'll be very narrow which i think will play into Italy's hands. Im thinking 2-0 to Italy.

I hope you're wrong mate - just plain don't like Italy. I mean, I respect them - but for all the talent they have, they could play an expansive attacking game, but they're traditionally gone with a more defensive, and lets face it - boring style of play. Also that Materazzi lad is a thug - would love to see him on the receiving end for a change. :mad:

leninbenjamin

Holland the better attackers, but overall, even without Cannavarro, Italy have a much better spine to their team, which i think means they will find it easier to retain possession. overall I expect Italy to nudge it in a hard fought win. a 1-0 perhaps with the goal coming from a set piece?

DerekD Goldfish

but for all the talent they have, they could play an expansive attacking game, but they're traditionally gone with a more defensive, and lets face it - boring style of play

The whole Italy are boring thing grinds my gears
they have traditionaly had great defenders whats wrong with using them?
There is nothing wrong or boring with playing tactically just because they dont go gung ho like a south American side.
Defending is just important a skill as attacking
And they attack more than people give them credit for

Also that Materazzi lad is a thug - would love to see him on the receiving end for a change

who doesnt hate him?
Zizu isnt the only player to hit him a loaf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRhGPgaW8EU

leninbenjamin

DerekD Goldfish wrote: »

who doesnt hate him?

me, he's just misunderstood.

oh and FAIL!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRhGPgaW8EU

pickarooney

Are Sneijder and Drenthe unavailable for Oranje? Back in the day it wouldn't be an issue, one of the Borg would just morph into a left winger and fill the gap.

Attractive Nun

I reckon it's Italy's for the taking. Cannavaro will be a loss, and Holland (at least on paper) are one of the best attacking teams in the tournament, but I can see Italy dominating midfield and they have some great forward talent. Luca Toni must be favourite for top scorer?

Hope Cassano gets a run, crazy bastard!

delija_sever029

Sneijder and V.Persie had a fight on the last training.Everyone saying they are big rivals for position in team and after tough tackle on training they had a fight.They both said it was just a missuderstanding and coz they dont want to risk injury and have big wish to play

MementoMori

^^^^^
all is right in the world again

Sherifu

No humorous accidental title?

Clash of the titans.

_blank_

Dunphy.

Van der Sar is a doubt in goal.

Yeah, he's just won the double ffs.

Guy:Incognito

DesF wrote: »

Dunphy.

Van der Sar is a doubt in goal.

Yeah, he's just won the double ffs.

So did JOSH (I know he didnt play in the final.

Lets not forget the Djimi Traore, Harry Kewell,Milan Baros Cl winners trinity.

Thanx 4 The Fish

Should be a good one, starting lineup named yet ?

_blank_

Thanx 4 The Fish wrote: »

Should be a good one, starting lineup named yet ?

Netherlands: Van der Sar; Ooijer, Boulahrouz, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst; De Jong, Engelaar; Kuyt, Van der Vaart, Sneijder; Van Nistelrooy.

Italy: Buffon; Panucci, Barzagli, Materazzi, Zambrotta; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso; Camoranesi, Toni, Di Natale.

_blank_

Boulahrouz, Holland to lose.

CantGetNoSleep

Ambrosini ahead of any of the Roma midfielders is a bit of a strange choice imo

_blank_

Italian anthem is quality.

mike65

Guess the team



Mike

Thanx 4 The Fish

France ?

_blank_

Italy, I'd say.

Deffo not Grance.

Bubs101

Craggy Island over 75's

_blank_

Nice bright start from the Italians.

Sherifu

RVN 1 on 1 with the keeper :eek:

_blank_

Sherifu wrote: »

RVN 1 on 1 with the keeper :eek:

Fair play to him for not going down too.

Sherifu

DesF wrote: »

Fair play to him for not going down too.

Aye, I was thinking the same thing.

Sherifu

Hollond 1-0 RVN

Just how offside was he :eek:

Deserved it anyway.

_blank_

He deserves that goal.

1-0 Holland, Van Nistelrooy.

Fooking country mile offside

kmart6

A mile off!!!

Guy:Incognito

HEHEHE could he be more offside?

Bubs101

Joke

Pigman II

That was more offside than Jackie HealyRays combover!

YeatsCounty

Offside by a country mile!


This will be the last time we see that linesman in this tournament.

merlinsmerryman

That was a good decision He looked to the linesman knew he was offside and then celebrated. Genius! :rolleyes:

The_B_Man

shockin!! lol

so are we sure he was offside "when the ball was played"? :rolleyes:

expect a token soft peno awarded to the italians. the ref knows quite well it was offside!

Pigman II

Interesting how RVN stays honest and doesn't dive for what would have been an easy peno. Then minutes later gets a soft goal like that.

Karma at work.

Guy:Incognito

merlinsmerryman wrote: »

He looked to the linesman knew he was offside and then celebrated. Genius! :rolleyes:

What do you want him to do? ask for it to be disallowed?