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Euro 2008 Group C Preview: Netherlands vs. France
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Netherlands |
 |
vs |  |
France |
Friday, June 13, Kickoff 2045 CET
Berne (Switzerland)
THE BIG PICTURE
Netherlands are coming in on a high after demolishing Italy 3-0. France are coming in feeling blue (or is it bleu?) after finishing 0-0 while being unable to summon up any firepower against a defensive Romania. France has to get a result — preferably a win — if they’re to have any chance of going through. On the other side, a win for Netherlands would guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals.
Three Key Players:
- Arjen Robben is rumored to be healthy again and back in the lineup. If he’s fit, his speed and skill on the ball could provide some difficult moments for France’s defense.
- Ruud van Nistelrooy proved on Monday that he’s still got it. If the ball goes near the goal, RvN can knock it in, and he can create chances as well.
- Wesley Sneijder also showed on Monday just how dangerous he can be for an unwary (or aging) defense.
Netherlands squad
Netherlands Team Profile
Team News:
Visit JAN at the Netherlands Euro 2008 Team Blog for more.
Buy Netherlands team gear here.
Three Key Players:
- Franck Ribery is easily one of les Bleus best players and a potent attacking threat when he’s on his game. He was not on his game on Monday against Romania, but France will be relying on him to be back in a big way today.
- Thierry Henry is rumored to be fit and ready to play again. France was definitely missing something in attack on Monday. Was it that Henry magic?
- Claude Makelele does one thing and he does it well: he defends the midfield and protects the backline. Don’t expect any creativity going forward, because that’s not his talent. But do expect to see a pitbull at the center of the pitch.
France squad
France Team Profile
Team News:
France had been bitten hard by the injury bug before Monday’s game. Thierry Henry, the top scorer in qualifying, was out with sciatica issues. Captain Patrick Vieira was out with a thigh injury. Franck Ribery was on the pitch, but not at his best, and rumor was that it was partly due to an ankle injury. And Samir Nasri was recovering from a virus.
For this game, Thierry Henry will probably be back, and with luck Ribery and Nasri will be at 100%. Vieira is still iffy, and folks who’ve been watching him in practice are saying he’s not playing at anything close to his old level. Coach Raymond Domenech may choose to start him anyway, hoping that his experience with the team will overcome his shortcomings.
Visit Inara, Jeff and me at the France Euro 2008 Team Blog for more.
BIG BATTLES
Netherlands offense vs France defense
Netherlands has a potent offense, with the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. France has one of the best defenses in the tournament, anchored by an experienced backline and two defensive midfielders. Which will win out in the end?
France offense vs Netherlands defense
On the other side of the field, France will be trying to create some offensive opportunities. Expect Thierry Henry to start. He’ll probably be joined by one or both young sensations Karim Benzema (who looked a bit sluggish on Monday) or Samir Nasri (who came on as a late sub and looked lively but was unable to make much difference.)
This team has had a hard time connecting for goals in open play lately, but they’ll be playing against a defense that’s not known as one of the best. Yet this defense held world champions Italy scoreless on Monday, so they’re clearly not pushovers.
Both teams vs High expectations
France comes in as a World Cup finalist team. Netherlands is a strong, solid team coming off a 3-0 victory. Expectations for both teams — from their countries and from outsiders — are quite high. Which team will stand up best to the pressure?
LIVEBLOG
Follow the Netherlands vs France LiveBlog here.
(Saying that in the most obviously over condecending way. It should be a good game, and … it wasn’t a fluke :[..)
A FUCKING FLUKE I SAY
Posted from 
United States
What everybody forgets is that the Italians dominated the first 15 minutes. Unaccountably they fell apart after the offside goal, left half the field undefended for the second goal and never recovered from those blows. During qualification this Dutch team had trouble beating even the tiniest soccer countries again and again. So this 3-0 is definitely out of character. Unless they can repeat their luck, they are bound to struggle against France and if they don’t win Rumania will also prove a very hard nut to crack. Don’t be surprised if they don’t make the next round. On the other hand they have so much individual quality that they can very easily punish mistakes, as they demonstrated against Italy.
Posted from 
Netherlands
Personally,France will get a better result againt the Netherlands. In the past few days, everybody has hailed the young orange army too much that there could be somewhat complacency among the players, which is understandable. Les Bleus will be experienced enough to exploit this weakness and make life hell for the Dutch for sure. Bear in your mind that yesterday,Slaven Billic’s men has shocked the championship candidate-Germany- who did show a stunning performance against Poland in the first game.Therefore I believe such teams as Les Blues, Italy etc , who often get a low start in group stages as they did at WC 2006, will show their worth before long. ^^
Holland and Romania will qualify. Le petit france, and italy won’t.
Italy dominated the first 15 minutes? Sorry, didn’t happen. The first half they were clearly overpowered by the Dutch. They came back decently only in the second half. First half they had nothing on us.
By now, it should be pretty clear to everyone but the complete idiots that their first goal is completely legit and not offside.
And ‘Italy attacking so they had no defense’ is a lame and a completely inaccurate excuse. In that game, 2 teams were continuously going after goals without turtling up, and only one team came out with 3 goals.
Oh and luck is part of every sport, which is something Italy no doubt understands during their WC run.
Great comment RF.
But I don’t think Holland will be complacent. van Basten will insist on humility.
Posted from 
Italy
well, i guess I am the one who’s laughing now!! Okay ee had some luck but 4 to 1…sykes!!!!!!!!!!!!
and oh yeah, the one who said this: “Holland is shit. The Italy game was a fluke” some lines before…You cant help it m8, your from the states, football is’nt that much of a game over there now is it? ROFL!
oh my god at how wrong you all were 
Posted from Netherlands
TOMMY WONG , read your comment again (FLUKE) now holland has defeated france with 4vs1???
Well hey you are an amreican so thats why your comments on soccer are …hmm.. a bit wrong?
better go comment baseketball/ american football / and that stick and homerun game
regards:
HAHAHAHAHA
Posted from Netherlands
pffffaahahahahaa, a fluke they say. I’m glad the world isn’t ruled by people with such great insight such as yours.
True, Holland hasn’t played well the past few years, but if they can keep up the game they are showing right now, it’s not unimaginable that they can actually claim the title here. Not there yet, but very much possible. Keep up the good work mates!!
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Holland is shit. The Italy game was a fluke.
Posted from
United States