Euro 2008 - Day 7 Holland Rolls On

The Group of Death was on display for their second matches on Friday and Holland showed their 3-0 win over Italy was no fluke as they crushed France 4-1.  Meanwhile, Italy and Romania shared the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw.

Holland 4  France 1
The Dutch continued to roll as they clinched the Group C title and a spot in the quarterfinals dispatching a disappointing French squad 4-1.  This match proved just as entertaining as the earlier Italy-Romania game as chances abounded.  Dirk Kuyt broke thru in the 10th minute as Holland jumped on top.  The lead would hold into the second half when Robin Van Persie put the Dutch up 2-0.  France, however would fight back and in the 71st minute it was Thierry Henry who give them hope as he cut the lead to 2-1.  Unfortunately for the French, it took Holland only 45 seconds to respond as Arjen Robbin got into the box and roofed a shot putting the match on ice and the Dutch into the quarterfinals.  Wesley Snider would put an exclamation point on the victory as he added the 4th in injury time.

Italy 1  Romania 1
Adrian Mutu scored a goal and missed a penalty as Romania held world champions Italy to a thrilling 1-1 Euro 2008 Group C draw in Zurich. The pressure was firmly on Roberto Donadoni's shoulders after Italy's 3-0 defeat to Holland in their opening game, while Romania had shown they are no mugs by holding France to a 0-0 draw.  The Italians were reeling on 55 minutes when Mutu pounced on a defensive error by Gianluca Zambrotta to give his side the lead, but it was 1-1 a minute later as Christian Panucci tapped in from close range following a corner.  Panucci was then shell-shocked 10 minutes from time when referee Tom Ovrebo harshly awarded a penalty for a challenge in the box, but Gianluigi Buffon was Italy's saviour as he brilliantly saved Mutu's spot-kick.  It was one of the games of the tournament so far, with chances coming thick and fast at either end.