Lot’s of talk in the Italian camp about what they like to call a “biscotti” which roughly translates into a fix or arrangement whereby the Dutch might ‘go easy’ against Romania, thus leaving them out no matter what they do against France. Said result would, so to speak, get rid of the chance of having to face either one again down the road (Final actually). Not bad considering we’re speaking of the current WC holders and the finalists.
Not that I’ll totally buy into it, but truth is The Azzurri left Portugal only after that rather bizarre and/or amazing tie between Sweden and Denmark.
I’ve never put much stock into biscotti. I’m unable to watch the Romania/Netherlands match (PVRing it) but it seems to me they are sitting a number of regular starters. They’re a number one seed no matter what so it’s a smart move and the players that start in their place are going to want to show that they belong on the field.
If the Italians had simply beaten the Netherlands in the first place they’d have nothing to worry about. This type of complaining annoys me.
Feh. When you get beaten by three goals and only scrape a draw with Romania, you have no-one to blame for your exit but yourself. Of course, I’d heard it the other way, with Buffon loudly proclaiming how he’s sure the Dutch will compete as normal, while Domenech has been grumbling about how they won’t bother. Either way, in my view wittering about other teams potentially screwing you over only highlights the fact that you haven’t done well enough to be in control of your own fate. As for the Netherlands wanting to avoid France and Italy - you’d think that, having beaten both of them by three goals, they’d feel pretty damn confident of repeating the trick.
Anyway, it all looks moot at present; Romania don’t look likely scorers, and there’s no way the French are coming back from this. Frankly, no team that absolutely has to win and yet subs off a forward to bring on Jean-Alain fucking Boumsong deserves to go through to the knockout stages.
Biscotti or not, I have been spoiled so far with the Dutch team’s performance, and am thoroughly bored with the current match against Romania.
Hopefully, the 1-0 lead for Italy will spur the Romanians to a somewhat more agressive game, even though they did have 1 and a half chance in the first half. Then, so did Holland… Robben certainly should have scored.
Oh well, don’t forget how greatful the Dutch were in 2004, when the Czechs fielded a B-team against Germany, having already qualified for the QF’s. Beforehand, everyone was convinced they’d give the match away, but they played like heroes and beat Germany 2-1. Holland advanced… only to be kicked out in the QF’s, yes, but that’s not the point right now.
Heh. No worries. Well, if Italy advance, there’s still more quality in the tournament than when Romania goes forth. So, I dunno. Plus, I kinda like the Azzuri.
You jest, but he could’ve easily deputised Makelele or Toulalan. Fuck, I’d be better than fucking Boumsong.
Domenech’s tactical capitulation is pretty handily demonstrated by the wiiiiide open gap on France’s left flank that he left unfilled for 10 minutes after Abidal’s dismissal. I lost count of the forays Italy made up the right hand side during that period, and if Toni had had his shooting boots on, France would’ve been 3-0 down by the break.
Feeling a bit bad for Romania, but it’d be pretty rubbish for a winless team to go through from the supposed group of death.
I, too, despise the Italians. It’s a squad of drama queens that fall, writhing and grimacing, to the pitch at the barest touch of a faint breeze demanding that a foul be called upon the wind. Man up, for God’s sake!
You aren’t the only ones. I’m pretty gutted Italy managed to go through. Whenever they’re winning, you can bank on the last thirty minutes of the match being a complete affront to masculinity.
No no, I made myself unavailable for selection in protest at Brian Barwick’s administrative bungling. Capello has been on the phone, but I held firm; I want to spend more time with my family.
Van Persie chested down a long crossfield pass on the edge of the Rumanian penalty area, shook off a challenge from the Rumanian number 2 and buried it past the keeper with a left-footed screamer from about 10 yards out.
