Netherlands vrs Italy - GAME THREAD!!

[Wheell]

The Dutch appear to simply be a bit faster on the pitch. Italy might be technically sound, but are the Dutch just bigger, stronger, faster, younger?

[McBa1n]

I can't believe Ruud just bricked that... Sheesh, that's a gimme. What a ball in to him.

[adriano]

No more goals, please. I have 2 or 3 for game.

[SBR Lou]

I doubt this will end in a tie, Italy really screwed up here.

[Wheell]

OMG almost 3 nil

[Shark79]

beautiful pass given to Ruud

[Wheell]

How can your captain be a goalie? That makes no sense to me.

[Shark79]

Barely missed by Italy

[Shark79]

How can your captain be a goalie? That makes no sense to me.

Captain is that person that will keep ur boys focused in a game ... Van der Saar clearly does that for NLS ...

[adriano]

In soccer the captain usually is a central defender or defensive midfielder. He has a view of the whole team. This is even more so for a goalie.

[Wheell]

Hmm, I would think the goalie would be too far from most of the action. I would think a captain would be able to talk with anyone on the field during the game. A midfielder would have been my expectation.

[adriano]

Oh goalies can shout a lot, if the crowd is small and quiet and the game is open, all you hear is their hysteric cries.

[ChuteBoxe]

Our true captain was Cannavaro, he's out due to injury. Christian Panucci, another strong defender, is less than 100% as well today.

[AgainstAllOdds]

my peeps;

Italy is not going to win this one...Go get them Dutch on Matchbook for -900

[SBR Lou]

my peeps;

Italy is not going to win this one...Go get them Dutch on Matchbook for -900

-900 is a lot to lay, crazier things have happened. You don't think Italy can score 2 goals?

[Shark79]

Statistics:

shots on target : 5 - 1




shots off target : 1 - 3
possession (%) : 55 - 45
corner kicks : 2 - 1
offsides : 1 - 1
fouls : 8 - 6
yellow cards : 0 - 2
red cards : 0 - 0

[pavyracer]

Panhandler.

Yourself?

I own a construction company.

[AgainstAllOdds]

-900 is a lot to lay, crazier things have happened. You don't think Italy can score 2 goals?

It is alot to lay but to answer your question...No I dont think Italy can score 2 goals. And then theres always the possibilty of Dutch scoring again

[Tsoprano]

What website will give me the score or is on on a main channel?

[AgainstAllOdds]

What website will give me the score or is on on a main channel?

Espn 1 or 2...

[Wheell]

Our true captain was Cannavaro, he's out due to injury. Christian Panucci, another strong defender, is less than 100% as well today.

You're right, I forgot about that. He was the reason you guys allowed only 2 goals in the 2006 WC. OK, I'll cut Italy some slack.

[treece]

Anybody else sweating out this under?

[Shark79]

wow!!! Italy had the best chance to put this 2 - 1 and AGAIN fvked it up

[Shark79]

There goes the UNDER on this match!!!

3 - 0 NLS!!! Van Bronckhorst!!!!

[McBa1n]

I can't believe what I'm seeing out of Holland. 3-0. Wow.

[AgainstAllOdds]

my peeps;

Italy is not going to win this one...Go get them Dutch on Matchbook for -900

Money money monaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyy

[SBR Lou]

The Italians are really moving the ball well, if this continues they'll win 3-0.

Oops I meant the other side.

[Shark79]

this is why I dont wager on these first games ... u never know what happens ... now Italy is forced to win next 2 matches

So my money will be on them for sure!!

[SBR Lou]

this is why I dont wager on these first games ... u never know what happens ... now Italy is forced to win next 2 matches

So my money will be on them for sure!!

I take it these early round teams are free to tank one, at what point does it become must wins, 2nd and 3rd?

[Shark79]

Almost 4 - 0!!!!

[Shark79]

I take it these early round teams are free to tank one, at what point does it become must wins, 2nd and 3rd?

first game determines 80% of your chances to moving to next round ... so you will see them literally kill themselves for that game.

If they win ... they will play more relaxed .. waiting for just a tie on any of the other 2 games to qualify.

But those who lose are more determined to play better and must in order to get to next round.

[SBR Lou]

So by that logic then we should expect to see an under or possible tie out of Czech vs Portugal.

[McBa1n]

France is down, Romania is solid, but beatable for Italy. I don't think you can count the Italian side out, yet. They met a hungrier team that gets forward. Italy relies too much on packing it in on D and getting maybe 1 garbage goal. Against good teams you have to go for it a bit more - and Netherlands certainly wanted it more today and went for it bigtime. I'm just shocked at how badly they are making the Italian D look today - I've not seen it in my lifetime.

[Shark79]

So by that logic then we should expect to see an under or possible tie out of Czech vs Portugal.

I dont see them taking this game so serious ... 1 pt for each and they have 95% chance of going to next round.

[adriano]

It's not the Dutch making the Italian defence look bad, it's the norm these days. I still won't count them out yet. Gotta think really hard about next games in this group. Romania is solid, but not very dangerous. France can rise anytime. Tough group. I'm just glad i hit a winner in a game the world champ lost 3-0.