Holland-Italy

[Dark Horse]

Italy is notorious for slow starts to tournaments. And it will be more important to them not to lose the opener in the Group of Death than to win it. So they will take little risk (added to the minimal risk they normally take).

How are they going to play Holland? Probably by letting the Dutch dominate. The orange team likes to have possession, and Italy will be happy to give it to them; i.e. until the sixteen, where the Dutch will meet a wall of defenders. Italy will try to trap Holland in this way, and then run quick counterattacks to expose the soft Dutch defense.

The Dutch have a lot of individual class upfront (even without the injured Robben). Far more than the Italians. So this promises to be a battle between Dutch creativity and Italian cleverness.

The last time these two teams met in a real match was at Euro 2000, in a game completely dominated by the Dutch. I've seldom seen such a one-sided game. But Holland, coming right off a 6-1 demolition of Yugoslavia, couldn't find the net, hitting the post twice and missing two pk's (!) in regulation. The Italians hardly even came across midfield, but their goalie was unbeatable. The game ended in a scoreless draw (and was decided on penalties because it was a semi-final).

Under Marco Van Basten, former AC Milan striker who knows Italian soccer inside out, the Dutch have become more result oriented, so I don't see them losing this game. Both teams will have not losing as priority number one, and I think they'll both succeed at that.

[louisvillekid]

i was looking at Italy earlier, but i don't know.

[McBa1n]

I'm very sold on draw +200 right now. Italy straight up looks to be pretty decent at +125, but as history has shown: Italian tanks have one speed: Reverse. Italy NEVER pushes much forward - and while I havn't seen them play since the WC, their attacking options are kind of 'meh' and not getting any younger. They could sneak one in off a set piece. Holland, on the other hand is pretty banged up and missing some studs - they CAN score, but usually they don't go after it too hard in a big game like this and play for the draw. The Netherlands are definitly down right now, though. No way I'd bet them to win. I'll take my chances with the juicy draw odds.

I just smell 0-0 or 1-1.
I think it'l be a stinker of a game, too.

[Justin7]

I think Italy is a bit cheap at Pk -130 (Pinny). Both sides are minus a key player, so draw isn't a bad bet either... But I'm playing Italy small.

[ryanXL977]

i did holland 3 units +225

[McBa1n]

i did holland 3 units +225

So far looking like a damn strong pick.

[expl]

congrats to everyone who betted on Netherlands!
they played quite well, with calm passes and fast attacks. although the first goal was kinda offside, 2nd was spectacular, 3rd was a stupid own goal. Italy somehow felt ripped off especially after the first goal.

[MJFtheGenius]

Italy missing it's 2 best defenders

and luca toni blows

[jmac]

it wasn't offside

[TheLock]

Worst call of the Euro so far. Runner up is the PK that went against Poland today.

[Chase]

Worst call of the Euro so far. Runner up is the PK that went against Poland today.

I didn't see the PK, but the apparent offside goal was the correct call. There was a man out of bounds that was still considered in play so he kept Ruud onside. From what I've heard the PK was the right call too, just at a bad point in the game.

[Rage1hp]

It was clearly an offside goal. Theres plenty of videos that show it clearly. But it doesn't matter - Holland still was MUCH better, they deserved the win (and the goal for the same effect)

[Deke101]

It was clearly an offside goal. Theres plenty of videos that show it clearly. But it doesn't matter - Holland still was MUCH better, they deserved the win (and the goal for the same effect)

There was a guy laying down behind the net when Van Nistelroy scored that first goal.

[McBa1n]

The player behind the goal COUNTS, according to FIFA (and the official's) ruling, as part of the 2 necessary to create an offsides call. Was there a goalie behind Ruud? Yes. Was there someone behind the net? Yes.
It's not offsides.
If anything, the official could've blown the whistle for an injured player... But he didn't. According to the letter of the rule, it was the correct call.

[expl]

ok i'm a bit confused. so that kind of offside dosent count?

[Dark Horse]

It was a rare situation, but I think the ref got it right. First of all, if this was offside than any defender could decide to step behind the line when things got risky. Secondly, if the defender had been behind the line, but inside the goal, where he could still have prevented a goal, would the question even be asked? Thirdly, the player was down (probably simulating), but his own goalie had knocked him down (which the player didn't know!). How could that be Holland's problem?

Let's change the goal somewhat. What if Van Nistelrooy, instead of knocking the ball in the goal, had kicked it back, while at the same time the Italian was getting up to reenter the field? In this scenario another Dutch player would have kicked the ball in the net, while the Italian defender was back inside the lines. In this case the goal would obviously count. So should the real goal not have counted because the Italian stayed down? And with his own goalie having 'hurt' him? I don't think so.

The offside rule was originally created to keep attackers from standing near the opposing goal waiting for a ball to be kicked their way. It is about not having an unfair advantage. In this case the Italians created their own disadvantage; the goalie knocking down his own defender. The Dutch had nothing to with it.

The problem is that this is so unusual that most soccer fans automatically assumed it was offside, because it looked like offside.