As for who should beat who....and final placing.

[Jager]

Holland will no doubt now dress a weak side against a motivated Romania, who need a win, however a France and the Azzurrri draw, and they draw, they go through.

In my opinion, for Italy, the best result would of been a draw or French win. As long as we won. Now the Romanians hold all the cards, and they will face a side that doesn't need to win or even show up for that matter.

If we beat the French, I think we are through, if my math is correct? As long as Romania loses or draws.

Having said this, I will not be mad or even bitter if Romania goes through. Italia have been garbage, so have been France. Even if the official cost us the match, which they did.

[Trim]

If Holland v Romania ends as a draw, and France v Italy ends as a draw, Romania goes through.

Romania could still go through even if they loose (maximum by two goals down), and Italy v France ends in a draw.

Right now:

Romania , 2 pts , 0 gd
France , 1 pt , - 3 gd
Italy , 1 pt , -3 gd

[dukeofdavinci]

Now the Romanians hold all the cards, and they will face a side that doesn't need to win or even show up for that matter.

my take is that this grp has actually turned into a political lobbying.romania are the "lucky" private sector that won a huge contract as the dutch were holdng the key.

in a whim they can say romania go or stay.yes for sure romania will play like hell just same as the french and us but they have the luxury of being laziness in their final game.

but credit to them coz in their match wth us they showed more importance to defend and make most of the possession they had, while we're as jager said.if only we worked harder on everything, we would have been holding some degree of the destination.

[Jager]

Let me just say that there is one advantage to the Dutch for playing a "B" team, is that they are professionals and want to show Van Basten that they can play and win a spot.

To me, if Van Der Sar plays, that will say as much about their mentality.

[dukeofdavinci]

is that they are professionals and want to show Van Basten that they can play and win a spot.

hmm good point.if van busten doesnt end up saying "ok lads thats was great now lets slip a goal to them" during the half...im going trough my wildest conspiracy theory here

vds would also be benched imo.

[z187]

Romania is a tough team I think they will do better than most expect against the dutch.

anyways, if Italy/France manage to make it out of the group I beleive they will beat spain in the quarters, the dutch in the semis and make the finals. rememeber I said this.

[Daniel24]

Not to be mean or anything but I am really hoping the Romanians proceed. They have really surprised me and they are playing kinda well. I would want them to be there and show the world that they can compete at a major level.
I am hoping that they can at least tie vs the Dutch and the Italians and the French tie...

[Beninato]

Originally Posted by Daniel24

Not to be mean or anything but I am really hoping the Romanians proceed. They have really surprised me and they are playing kinda well. I would want them to be there and show the world that they can compete at a major level.
I am hoping that they can at least tie vs the Dutch and the Italians and the French tie...

I don't think any Italian fan faults you for that. Everyone wants to see the underdog succeed.

I'm praying for Turkey to beat the Czechs and Austria to beat Germany so we can see both go through. But Romania, eh, lets hope they get pounded.

[Daniel24]

Originally Posted by Beninato

I don't think any Italian fan faults you for that. Everyone wants to see the underdog succeed.

I'm praying for Turkey to beat the Czechs and Austria to beat Germany so we can see both go through. But Romania, eh, lets hope they get pounded.

I just dont want to get bashed by Italian fans..
I also want Austria to beat Germany and Turkey to beat the czechs.

[jec1]

Holland will definitely play their 'B' team.... I think the fix is in. They can eliminate Italy/france, so who knows.

[Beninato]

Euro 2004 all over again?

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by Daniel24

I just dont want to get bashed by Italian fans..

You're gonna get bashed by me jk...

Romania have played "smart". They have been smart enough to realize tactics and have played a system to naturalize their opponents. They hold teams off and wait for a moment of weakness.....like Zambrotta...then Mutu took advantage. Ultimately, Romania only have 2 points...they've played well...but obviously not well enough to win. Now, they face an uninspired Holland.

Originally Posted by Beninato

Euro 2004 all over again?

Gigi Buffon seems to think so...i pray that Holland can settle for a draw and Italy play the game of their lives.

For Italy and France......this is the World Cup final all over again.

[sinoy1]

Who cares.Lets worry about France.What happens in the other match is out of our hands.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

momentum is key though...would the dutch be willing to drop a match just to take out the italians and french just in case they make the semis?

having momentum is one of the most important aspects of sports and a dutch loss to romania...intentional or not would force them to loose some of that momentum...and could cost them in the quarters

Idk if id play an A side...but i def wouldnt look to loose the match...wouldnt winning rocket them with even more momentum out of the group phase?

[Jager]

This is not hockey or any other sport of that matter.

This game for Holland is a friendly, and frankly if they take it seriously by dressing any of their key players like their keeper, then there extremely foolish. I would bash them.

If they lose, they can easily say that they didn't dress their best side, and that the other team was more motivated. I was honestly hoping Italy would be in this situation, but Holland have earned that right.

It is a steep mountain we must climb. Mutu seems to be really motivated also.