Netherlands vs Italy - Euro 2008

Yes, Netherlands aka Holland crushed Italy, World Champions, 3-0. The best match so far since Euro 2008 started. Who would have thought Italy would lost by 3 goals.

Since they are grouped in the group of death, it was thought that France, Romania, Italy, Holland would play for a draw in their first match.

The impressive performance by Holland have make them a hot favorite to win the Euro 2008. Watch out, Portugal.

First goal - Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Dutch ahead in controversial circumstances after 26 minutes when he scored from close range - but looked suspiciously offside.

Second goal - Wesley Sneijder swept in a second from Dirk Kuyt’s header five minutes later.

Third goal - Giovanni van Bronckhorst headed in after 80 minutes.

Netherlands: Van der Sar, Ooijer, Boulahrouz (Heitinga 77), Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt (Afellay 81), De Jong, Van der Vaart, Engelaar, Sneijder, van Nistelrooy (Van Persie 70).
Subs Not Used: Timmer, Stekelenburg, De Zeeuw, Robben, Melchiot, Bouma, De Cler, Huntelaar, Vennegoor of Hesselink. Booked: De Jong.

Goals: Van Nistelrooy 26, Sneijder 31, Van Bronckhorst 80.

Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Barzagli, Materazzi (Grosso 55), Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Camoranesi (Cassano 75), Toni, Di Natale (Del Piero 64).
Subs Not Used: Amelia, De Sanctis, Chiellini, Gamberini, De Rossi, Borriello, Quagliarella, Perrotta, Aquilani.

Booked: Toni, Zambrotta, Gattuso.

Attendances: 31,500

Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden).

Man of the match: Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder

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