Awards of the Day: June 17th

Player of the Day: Daniele De Rossi. There was absolute outrage after the Dutch game because De Rossi was left on the bench, now you see why. Lived up to the honor of the #10 Azzurri shirt today, with a tip of the hat to Titi Henry for his deflection (or was it actually Benzema?), and will need to put on another show sans Pirlo and Gattuso against Spain.

Best Junior Varsity: Netherlands. I think we should schedule a friendly after the tournament between the lineup that took the field against Romania and the Croatian B squad which took the pitch against Poland on Monday. Both of their first teams could arguably be considered the most impressive of the tourney thus far (we’ll see how Spain does tomorrow, but the Sweden game could’ve gone either way), and the junior varsities haven’t looked too shabby either.

Cassanata of the Day: Who else but Antonio Cassano? Actually, less Cassanata, per say, than simply Antonio being Antonio. This guy will find any reason to take his clothes off after a game, including unleashing his birthday suit for nothing more than the group stages. Still phenomenal, still a child.

Nobody Does It Like Sara Lee Award: Cristian Chivu. His face has become decidedly, um, pudgier since he left Rome. The pies in Milan must be to die for, if unoriginal.

Non-Starting XI Player of the Tournament: Robin van Persie. Now scored twice, once after coming off the bench against France and today with the B squad against Romania. Enough to swing him into the lineup against Sweden/Russia? Things seem to be working as they are…

Most Bizarre Cameo of the Tournament: Samir Nasri. As much sense as it kinda made (I’m sure there are a host of people who would agree with taking off Govou), taking Nasri off roughly 15 minutes after he’d come on as a sub must’ve been ridiculously humiliating. Had he even worked up a sheen by then?

Probably Lost His Job Award: Raymond Domenech. Now watch David Trezeguet score a brace in France’s first qualifying game while Philippe Mexes puts in a stifling defensive performance. Strange, but the man’s deep hatred for all things associated with Italy (not named Patrick Vieira) enabled the Italians to beat him. This aversion may actually have been France’s downfall.

Still Hoping He Lost His Job Award: Roberto Donadoni. I swear, if this saves his job…..

Most Expressionless Goal Celebration: Marco van Basten. He actually looked mad when Huntelaar scored. No clap, no smile.*

* - This is from Ian. Think MvB would’ve preferred to see Romania make it through?

Guy You Don’t Fuck With Award: In case you encounter Gennaro Gattuso on the street, walk the other way. Ivan does not mess around:

“De Sanctis and Borriello were pretending Holland were leading 2-0 and you cannot joke about that!

“Borriello made another joke that Marco Van Basten had scored with an overhead kick, so I slapped him.”

I’d say Borriello is lucky. At least he didn’t get the Lippi treatment.

Do you think he’s allowed around children?

Save of the Day: I think this about summed up Gigi Buffon right here. Karim Benzema hit an absolutely gorgeous ball that would’ve been scored on nearly any other keeper in the world, but Gigi rose to the occasion. Create greatness and Buffon will match it:

Matchup of the Day…Celebrity Version: Buffon’s baby mama ain’t Italian, but she’s certainly a looker (Alena Seredova is Czech, if you must know). Then there’s Tony Parker’s gal pal, Eva Longoria, who was in tow to watch Thierry Henry do a lot of things Thierry Henry isn’t typically known for. A couple game pics and then a couple with less clothing down below.