That has to be the theme from Les Bleus following yet another slow start to the group stages of a tournament — such a start a couple of years ago not precluding an eventual run to the final. Since there will be more attention on Raymond Domenech’s starting selections: Anelka? The man who somehow dodged the opprobrium after Chelsea’s penalty kicks loss in the Champions League final, with John Terry taking the fire.  Surely a prime candidate for a reshuffle before the next match.
A Fistful Of Euros
European Opinion
Looks like the Dutch have opened up a can of Orange Crush!
Did the defender down behind the line confuse the linesman about Ruud’s position?
That’s Oranje for whoop-ass, apparently. They even had a couple of clear shots for 4-0. Yowza.
Looks like the Italians forgot how to dive. But then I’m on the record as not really liking Italian soccer.
And wonder of wonders, Van Nistelrooy had a momentary memory lapse when it came to diving too. Long may the players be afflicted by such amnesia.
Yeah, the score really should’ve been 2-0. But, still, the Netherlands deserved that win. Sadly, the France-Romania game was quite uninspiring – no excitement.
I think Kimberley mentioned that he could have dived when he had the first chance (and lost his balance), but didn’t.
The Italians could have scored 1 or 2, the Dutch team could have scored 2 more… I think it is a fair score. Very unexpected, Italia is so defensive, but very much appreciated 😉
Kimberley MENT, not mentioned. Dit I mention that we are in a festive mood here 😉 ?
P, Ruud was clearly wide offside. The Dutch were very lucky to have that goal awarded. The ref indeed did consider Panuci to be an ‘active’ player. I think that first goal changed a lot.
Anyway, I was really surprised to see the Dutch play that well. Especially the defence. And I loved both the team spirit and the unabaiting forward drive.
Romania tried everything it could to disrupt the French team. Or even put it to sleep. And they succeeded.
Nothing is decided in this group. Far from it.
Panucci with double c, that is.
Marbel, one of my cats was on my lap when Giovanni made the final goal. I shouted so hard he (the cat) jumped two feet in the air 🙂
Appearantly it is an existing rule that you cannot leave the defense by stepping over the line (there was an Italian defender there, not in a hurry to get back because he wanted the offside trap to work). The Dutch were first suprised too, had people going throught the rules, and than admired the referee for knowing about the rather obscure rule ;).
I loved the second goal best. Giovanni stopping the goal, sprinting to the other side, people not giving up but fighting on, teamplay, and the best birthday present Snijders could have asked for. But I made most noise with the second goal too 😉
Time to take my slightly sloshed head to bed now 😉
third goal. Darn, time to go to sleep indeed.
If I remember right, Ruud is an expert in the offside rule, having used that loophole himself — he would step behind the goal line for a free kick and then come back in onside just as the kick was being taken.