Euro2008 - The Ridiculous To The Sublime, A Ruud Choker for Italy as France Flop

Yesterday evening, the Romanians proved one point; that this group is by far the toughest in the tournament this summer. Likewise they acted to dismiss another myth about Group C; that the Romanians would be the whipping boys for the French, Italians and Dutch to guarantee themselves maximum points against.

After the tedium of France’s insipid goalless draw with Romania in Zurich earlier in the day had left many viewers wondering quite how Group C had earned the clichéd title of “The Group of Death”, Holland & Italy served up a footballing treat in the balmy evening heat of Berne.

Holland 3 Italy 0
But what would have disappointed Roberto Donadoni more was the manner in which his team then responded to that setback. Arrogance led to indiscipline, and a second goal for Holland in less than five minutes. The Italians might be world champions but they did not play like it at the Stade de Suisse last night.

Their fans stood there, united as one in blue, and watched the replay on the giant screen high above Gianluigi Buffon's goal, reacting with a mixture of anger and amazement as Ruud van Nistelrooy, seemingly yards offside, redirected Wesley Sneijder's powerfully struck shot past their goalkeeper.

An incredulous Italy complained bitterly. So much so that Luca Toni was booked. They could have no complaints about what then followed. A super goal for Sneijder and one that demonstrated why Real Madrid paid more than £20million for him last summer a she celebrated his 24th birthday in style. The icing on the cake was Holland's third goal 10 minutes from time courtesy of Gio van Bronckhort's header.