Euro Wrap: Group of Death, June 17th

This so-called Group O’Death sputtered into the final matchday with one team already through somewhat surprisingly – not too many non-Dutch fans or French/Italian haters were picking them to win both their first games by that margin – and Romania, of all teams, was in control of their destiny. The most anticipated game of the tournament, France – Italy, could’ve wound up being nothing more than a friendly.

But that was Eric Abidal got his red card and Marco van Basten did a favor for his old teammate and good friend Roberto Donadoni (still looking for post-Euro employment, thanks) by dispatching the Tricolorii. With three teams fighting for one spot, it got quite nerve-wracking. At the end of the day, it was the Azzurri marching on to meet Spain on Sunday.

GROUP C	June 17, 2045 CET, Zurich (Switzerland)
France 0 VS Italy 2   Pirlo (p) 25′ De Rossi 62′

As was the case in Berlin, the biggest story going out was a red card to a French player. The tide of the game turned when France’s best player and most dangerous attacking threat went down and was forced off with what Domenech is saying looks like a “twisted knee” (much better than the initial fears, but everything will rest on the firm diagnosis). So on came Samir Nasri, and though he’s a mighty talent, he’s just not Ribery yet.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the French wheels came off in the 23rd minute. Eric Abidal took down Luca Toni, who brilliantly took down yet another sublime ball from Andrea Pirlo, and the momentum was 100% Italian. Nasri, on for less than 20 minutes, was forced to come back off in favor of Jean-Alain Boumsong because a Clerc, Gallas, Evra back line would be inviting a humiliating scoreline.

Pirlo, glorious mane flopping all over the place, summarily dispatched the penalty and the Azzurri had a 1-0 lead with a man up and 65 minutes to play – at which point Giovanni Trapattoni became completely hot and bothered. Despite being a man down, or maybe because they were a man down and playing Italy, France had some good chances in the latter stages of the first half, but couldn’t break down the Italian defense – much improved since the Dutch debacle.

The second half started out very slowly in both directions, but the game was turned on its head 20 minutes into the second half when Daniele De Rossi – UEFA’s MOTM – fired a free kick off of Thierry Henry, who will want to forget this game more so than anyone else, to beat Gregory Coupet to the left. In fairness to Coupet, this was a great game from him, and the two goals were in no way his fault.

And with that, it was done and dusted. Romania’s loss handed the Azzurri their fourth point and a date with the Spaniards in the quarterfinals. So along with Portugal and Germany, we’ve got Italy – Spain. Shouldn’t these be semi-final matchups?

GROUP C	June 17th, 2045 CET,
Netherlands 2 VS Romania 0 Huntelaar 55′, Van Persie 87′

At the start of today’s match, Romania could not have wished for a better set of circumstances. Of the Dutch side that had dominated France and Italy, nine starters were sitting down, including Edwin van der Sar, the first starting keeper to be subbed out in the tournament. That doesn’t count Volkan for Turkey, because we’re only talking about substitutions, not sendings off. The Dutch side certainly still had weapons, including Klaus-Jan Huntelaar, one of the most talked-about young talents of the year, but it was still a reserve side. Most importantly, it was a reserve defense, and there should have been some holes for Adrian Mutu et al.

Early on, there were a few such holes, on both ends. Mutu and Marius Niculae both missed wide in the first half, and though there were no gilt-edged chances, they could have done better. The real chances were coming the other way, as Robin van Persie was a constant threat. He put two headers wide and high, but he always looked like his next touch would be a goal.

But it wasn’t RvP that opened Holland’s account in this one, but the young Huntelaar, who slotted home a perfect cross in the 54th minute. From that point on, Romania were chasing the game. With an attacking talent like Mutu, and against a second-string defense, that chase should have still been a good one, but it never really was. The Romanian attack was strong down the wings, and there were fine crosses aplenty, but the central offense was positively Greek. There was never anyone on the end of those crosses, and opportunity after opportunity went nowhere fast.

Fifteen minutes from time, it was back to the Robin van Persie show. He finally got his goal, the one that had seemed so likely in the first half, and it was all over for the Tricolorii of Romania. Holland proved that they are still the tournament favorites, playing reaper throughout the group of death, and having their way with the #3, #7 and #12 teams in the world. They are the team to beat, and we have one day to wait before we learn if it will be Sweden or Russia lining up to be the next victim.

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