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Italian Press: Oranje is vulnerable

June 8th, 2008 | By: Jan | 18 Comments »

The Dutch players ooze talent and skills but are vulnerable and hardheaded. That’s why Italy is the big favorite tomorrow. The Italian press agree on this. The Gazetto stresses that Oranje’s defense is the weak spot (yeah, remarkable insights by this newspaper).

“Oranje does not have the attacking flair they use to have, and doesn’t know how to defend, despite the Italian lessons of Van Basten.” The newspaper also gloats about Robben’s injury “who seems to be made of fine crystal”. And “the Dutch can play but will lose themselves in circus-tricks and ego-trips… Conclusion: even the Dutch fans don’t believe in their team”. HAHAHA!

La Stampa calls the Oranje team a team of betrayal (the Long Knives). They list all the big players who let Oranje down over the years (1978 Cruyff and Van Hanegem; 1994 Gullit; now Seedorf and Van Bommel). “Oranje needs two things they never had: the group-feel and national pride!”

La Republica says that Van Basten can count on the unlimited skills of his fear-inducing youngsters but if they are rubbed the wrong way, the team will implode.” Reporter Gamba (honestly: Gamba!) doesn’t like Van der Vaar. At all. The most unfaithful of them all, he says. Egotistical, unprofessional… Trying to break out of his HSV contract to sign a deal with Juve. “A player you can’t count on.”

I feel like Pasta with Gamba’s tomorrow…

Tags: Euro 2008, Robben, Sar, Vaart, Van Basten

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Comments

By squiggy | June 8th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

Really, how far off are they with this?

I say not very. The Oranje are vulnerable.

Then again, some Italians feel the Azzurri is vulnerable too. So.

My buddy in Holland pretty much says the same thing (he doesn’t fancy Holland against either powers. I say he’s too pessimistic) but he feels the defense is unheralded. Great players on Holland. Can they put it together?

Posted from Canada

By Dr. mansur | June 8th, 2008 at 9:15 pm

I just hope and prey Holland will be able to have a 1-0 victory or a 0-0 draw against the Italians.This is our most vital game for this euro.

Posted from Australia

By Tjeerd | June 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm

Italians have the national pride that we lack. They are arrogent, and have a crafty toughness that pisses me off. Where I live (North of Toronto) the Italian flags have already been brought out in full force. They need to be humbled, lets hope for a upset!

By Joemaica | June 8th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

The Italians aren’t arrogant, they’re just confidenct in their own skills. I expect this to be a tough game with both sides approaching the fixture with caution. The France vs Romania result will impact on the psychology of the Italy vs Holland tie. Even though we’re entering day three of the tournament for all intents and purposes the opening games of Group C will make or break group play for this tournament. Italia 1 Holland 0.

Posted from New Zealand

By Matt C. | June 8th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Joemaica has a good point – everything up till now has been more or less predictable (ie. no upsets). Tomorrow, one of the “giants” is probably going to lose.

The Dutch defence is underrated, which may work to our advantage. We have all the quality players we need: it’s the right combination + the desire to win. We shall see.

By Jan | June 8th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

Me thinks the best players won’t win. The team that holds together as a unit and has the most “desire” to win, most of the times will. I remember the Italy – Holland match vividly at Euro2000 and I wasn’t surprised Italy made it into the finals. I remember the red card for the Italian defender and thinking: this is not going to help us.

When the Italians in 1994 had that press boycott because the media in Italy were harsh on them, as in 1982, really put some spice in their team.

They seem to be able to win on a mentally basis, not just their skills.

We think that being skilled in handling the ball will be enough to win. It’s not.

I personally don’t think the Italy match is the most important one. The last one against Romania will be. And, to paraphrase any coach: the next game is ALWAYS the most important one. In two days, Holland-Italy is history and we will need to move on – and so does Italy.

Posted from Australia

By AJ | June 8th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

Holland 1-1 Italia

Posted from Canada

By Rob | June 8th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

It’ll be 0-0 with Italy – even more likely now Robben’s out. Cagey play all round, Dutch incapable of making chances, Italians happy to sit back a bit.

Romania will beat France – that’ll be the surprise.

Posted from Japan

By bobotoh | June 8th, 2008 at 10:41 pm

Now, basten must pick between this formation:
–afelay–vdv–sneijder or sneijder — vdv — kuyt after Robben’s injury.

Posted from Indonesia

By Ono | June 9th, 2008 at 1:56 am

Can’t wait to see the kick off at 3.45 AM (local time). I’ve just broke up with my girl, so I’ll watch alone and be accompanied only by ice cream and ramen. Darn, she supports Italy

Posted from Japan

By Jan | June 9th, 2008 at 4:16 am

Did you kick her out for that ? For supporting Italy? Good man!

What Ice Cream? Haagen Dasz? And what is ramen? In Dutch that is “windows”.

Posted from Australia

By Ono | June 9th, 2008 at 5:10 am

@Jan,

Still no idea what ice cream. Perhaps I’ll try that one.
Ramen is a kind of Japanese noodle, and favourite among students because it’s easy to made.

Posted from Japan

By Jan | June 9th, 2008 at 5:22 am

Jan, please ignore Italian newspapers. After the lucky World Cup they keep on boasting and thinking they’re Brazil+Argentina+Germany all in one team.
I gave up on reading them. They all underestimate the Netherlands, I hope they will pay for it dearly.

Posted from Italy

By Caleb | June 9th, 2008 at 9:25 am

Ono – You made me hungry thinking about ramen. Probably one of my favourite Japenese foods (the real ramen from a good ramen shop though, not the instant noodle stuff).

Posted from Canada

By finnster01 | June 9th, 2008 at 9:43 am

@caleb & ono

Spent my time in Tokyo’s ramen shops on many an occation. Excellent stuff. However they all say you don’t want to know what is in the bottom of the ramen pot…

Posted from United States

By Caleb | June 9th, 2008 at 10:19 am

Finnster01 – I imagine it looks pretty gross considering how they soak a bunch of pork/chicken bones in the broth… if it’s anything worse than that I don’t want to hear it because I love ramen

Posted from Canada

By SSor | June 12th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

Olanda killed italian fotbal team,italy was a big joke and they’r comments worse.HAHAHA

Posted from United Kingdom