June 13th: Who's feeling lucky?

Stew · 13th June 2008, 2:00pm

It's Group C today, on the unluckiest day of the year, apparently.

First up it's Italy - Romania (played in Zürich) on ITV at 5pm, and then it's The Netherlands - France (played in Bern) at 7.45pm on BBC1. Both should be crackers, with Italy needing the three points after their first game's disappointment, and the second game.. well, the Dutch looked awesome against Italy, and France looked terrible against Romania.

Outside bet? Italy Romania draw, and Netherlands to beat France so that Netherlands go through top of the group and Romania knock out the Italians and French to go through second!

Pre-match table:

Enjoy it, I'll be working.

Westy · 13th June 2008, 2:02pm

Italy win, Holland win. Looking foward to the Holland/France game.

Zippy · 13th June 2008, 2:03pm

I'm missing the Holland - France game tonight

I'm taking a Holland, Italy double though.

Stew · 13th June 2008, 2:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew

First up it's Italy - Romania (played in Zürich) on ITV at 5pm, and then it's The Netherlands - France (played in Bern) at 7.45pm on BBC1.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westy

Looking foward to the Holland/France game. Thats the 7:45pm kick off aye?

It would appear so.

Anyway, team news so far:

The Netherlands: Arjen Robben is back in the squad for the game after recovering from his groin strain, Robin van Persie has also put himself back together for this game, but Klas-Jan Huntelaar and Mario Melchiot are both out, the latter no great loss, I wouldn't imagine.

France: Thierry Henry is back, Patrick Vieira is back, and this should mean that Nicolas "The Increadible Sulk" Anelka and Jeremy Toulalan are back to the bench (where they belong, on the international stage).

Italy: The boss, Donadoni, is going to make three changes from the side that were torn a new sphincter by The Netherlands. Alessandro Del Piero and Giorgio Chillini (who took out Cannovaro pre-tournament, remember) will start, which means Antonio Di Natale and Marco "He was at Everton" Materazzi are out. Apparently Daniele de Rossi and Fabio Grosso (the worst left back I've seen in the flesh) are going to be pushing for a start too, but I wouldn't bet the house on it.

Romania: Not much news out yet about 'em. So far we know that Ciprian Marica has a head injury. but should replace Daniel Niculae up front if he passes the fitness test.

Let's put the good news in big bold type, eh?

Italy will be eliminated if they lose to Romania.

Rhythm Junkie · 13th June 2008, 5:18pm

I have Romania to win and Holland to draw with France.

Addy · 13th June 2008, 8:47pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew

Outside bet? Italy Romania draw, and Netherlands to beat France so that Netherlands go through top of the group and Romania knock out the Italians and French to go through second

Enjoy it, I'll be working.

That looks like a cracker of a bet now!

Really hoping Romania can pull something off against Holland so that both teams go through at the expense of Italy and France

Rhythm Junkie · 13th June 2008, 8:58pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addy

Really hoping Romania can pull something off against Holland so that both teams go through at the expense of Italy and France

If any team are likely to do it I'd put money on Romania being that team.

Addy · 13th June 2008, 9:16pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhythm Junkie

If any team are likely to do it I'd put money on Romania being that team.

Yeah, I mean ordinarily in these circumstances - especially when Holland have ripped both Italy and France apart - you'd say it's a given, but then I don't think anything is a given in this tournament. What odds do you think you'd get on France having 2 points, Italy 1 and Germany 3 out of the first two matches before the tournament? Extremely long I'd say. This could get interesting!

Of course, a France-Italy draw means Romania need only draw to qualify. There's a thought if Romania don't feel up to beating Holland - an 11 man defence again could be enough

EvilElvis · 13th June 2008, 9:29pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addy

Yeah, I mean ordinarily in these circumstances - especially when Holland have ripped both Italy and France apart - you'd say it's a given, but then I don't think anything is a given in this tournament. What odds do you think you'd get on France having 2 points, Italy 1 and Germany 3 out of the first two matches before the tournament? Extremely long I'd say. This could get interesting!

Of course, a France-Italy draw means Romania need only draw to qualify. There's a thought if Romania don't feel up to beating Holland - an 11 man defence again could be enough

EvilElvis · 13th June 2008, 9:38pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addy

Yeah, I mean ordinarily in these circumstances - especially when Holland have ripped both Italy and France apart - you'd say it's a given, but then I don't think anything is a given in this tournament. What odds do you think you'd get on France having 2 points, Italy 1 and Germany 3 out of the first two matches before the tournament? Extremely long I'd say. This could get interesting!

Of course, a France-Italy draw means Romania need only draw to qualify. There's a thought if Romania don't feel up to beating Holland - an 11 man defence again could be enough

Holland could play a weakend team to prevent injuries and suspensions, but would win their group - no-one else can match them now.

Romania have drawn their 2 matches while France and Italy are seperated alphabetically - they have the same points - 1, goals scored - 1 and conceded - 4

If Romania win, the Italy France game is more for pride and in all honesty after we were robbed for qualification, we can sit and laugh at their expense..

Westy · 13th June 2008, 11:02pm

WAHEY! The French got fucked. I'd love if both France & Italy went out at this stage. But whats the bet, whatever one of them go thru, will win it.

Mon the Dutch.

Addy · 14th June 2008, 2:38am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westy

WAHEY! The French got fucked. I'd love if both France & Italy went out at this stage. But whats the bet, whatever one of them go thru, will win it.

Mon the Dutch.

I'm past predicting anything in this tournament, but I've a horrible feeling you're right.

Mon Romania! Holland, you've won the group regardless of anything, gonnae lie down agains Romania please?

Stew · 14th June 2008, 11:53am

The Netherlands are fucking awesome.

That is all.

incubusgirl · 14th June 2008, 4:10pm

Random question, if Italy and France draw nil nil and Romania get beat 3 nil what happens??

Anyone know how they decide who goes through if 2/3 teams are even on goal difference, etc?

Syxx · 14th June 2008, 4:15pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by incubusgirl

Random question, if Italy and France draw nil nil and Romania get beat 3 nil what happens??

Anyone know how they decide who goes through if 2/3 teams are even on goal difference, etc?

+ Italy will advance if the Italy-France match is a score draw (ie 1-1, 2-2, etc).
+ If Italy-France ends 0-0:
# And Romania lose by 1 or 2 goals, Romania will advance.
# And Romania lose by 3 goals and score at least 1 goal, Romania will advance.
# And Romania lose 3-0 or by more than 3 goals, Italy will advance.