Italy
France
Romania
In Quarter-Final will be...
In Quarter-Final will be:
1. Italy
Goalkeepers: Buffon, Amelia, De Sanctis
Defenders: Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso, Zambrotta, Barzagli, Gamberini, Materazzi
Midfielders: Pirlo, Camoranesi, Ambrosini, Gattuso, Perrotta, De Rossi, Aquilani
Forwards: Del Piero, Toni, Di Natale, Cassano, Quagliarella, Borriello
2. France
Goalkeepers: Coupet, Frey, Mandanda
Defenders: Sagnol, Abidal, Thuram, Gallasm, Evra, Boumsong, Clerc, Squillaci
Midfielders: Makelele, Malouda, Ribéry, Toulalan, Govou, Nasri, Diarra, Vieira
Forwards: Henry, Anelka, Benzema, Gomis
3. Romania
Goalkeepers: Lobonţ, Popa, Stăncioiu
Defenders: Raţ, Tamaş, Contra, Goian, Radu, Ghionea, Săpunaru, Moţi
Midfielders: Rădoi, Cociş, Chivu, Nicoliţă, Codrea, Dică, Petre, Cristea
Forwards: Mutu, Niculae, M.Niculae, Marica
Well, one thing came to my mind right now, I wonder why Iaquinta isn't included in Italian team...?
EDIT: An injury, ok...
Van Basten says Dutch can improve...
Netherlands coach Marco van Basten insists that his swashbuckling side can still improve as Euro 2008 progresses.
So far, the Dutch have beaten Italy and France with a devastating brand of attacking football to win their group.
"Everything is great," he said. "But we also know between ourselves there are things to improve and that is what we are talking about and working on."
Van Basten also said they are focused on beating Romania - even though a loss would see Italy and France dumped out.
The Netherlands could face the runners-up in their Group C again in the semi-final if both win their last-eight ties, with some suggesting that it could be in their interests to send both the 2006 World Cup finalists home - and ensure Romania go through.
But the former AC Milan striker insists his side will approach the game as professionals - and aim to win.
"It's an interesting match because we are in the good position of having already qualified," he said.
"Nevertheless, I think we want to play a good game so we are taking it seriously.
"We have a very professional group, 23 'A' internationals who are seriously professional and good players.
"We are going to approach the game with the same concentration and attention that we did for the last two games. We will put out the best formation we can think about to play Romania." (From BBC Sport)
Donadoni has faith in Dutch side...
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni believes Group C leaders Netherlands will go for victory against Romania even though the Dutch are already in the last eight.
A win for Romania would see them into the quarter-finals no matter what the result of the game between world champions Italy and France in Zurich.
But Donadoni says Holland will not ease off and allow Romania an easy match.
"Holland coach Marco van Basten is an honest, competent and upstanding man. I have confidence in him," said Donadoni.
"I'm not even thinking about that (Holland allowing Romania to win) happening."
"I believe in honesty and openness. Even if the reserve team plays, that's not to say the Dutch won't win. On the contrary, the reserves would love to show that they deserve a place in the first team."
Holland have already qualified by virtue of crushing wins over Italy and France, while Romania have two points after two draws.
Should Romania fail to beat Holland, Italy's match with France becomes a winner-takes-all tie for the second Group C qualifying spot.
"We have to beat France," said Donadoni. "It is a crucial match because when one still has a chance to qualify you have to push yourself to the limit.
"I saw at training the players are determined to prove how good they are against the French.
"They have a real hunger to prepare in the best possible manner for this challenge, which will dictate whether or not we progress."
Neither of Italy's star strikers - Luca Toni and Alessandro del Piero - have managed a goal in the Championship so far, but Donadoni remains confident his side can create enough chances to beat the French.
"The important thing is to create chances. If it is (Christian) Panucci who scores instead of Toni or Del Piero then that suits me as well.
"To have both the top scorers from Serie A and the Bundesliga doesn't guarantee you anything. But in training the team are creating a lot of opportunities and I was pleased with the strikers." (From BBC Sport)
Contra vows to attack Netherlands...
Defender Cosmin Contra says Romania will go all out for the win when they face Group C leaders Holland.
A draw could be sufficient for group underdogs Romania to qualify for the last eight, but Contra says the Balkan team want to control their own destiny.
"We're a good team and have draws against the most powerful teams in the world," said Contra, referring to their games against France and Italy.
"We need to attack. We need to go hard against them."
Romania finished above the Dutch in qualifying for Euro 2008, taking four points from their two head-to-head games.
"When we looked at this group our main aim against Italy and France was not to be beaten," added Contra.
"We beat Holland in qualification, so we believed we could do that again."
Captain Cristian Chivu believes Romania are on the cusp of a great achievement.
"This is a historic moment," Chivu said. "Nobody gave us a chance to qualify, or get past the best teams." (From BBC Sport)
Ribery clings on to Euro chance...
France playmaker Franck Ribery believes his side can still make the last eight even though a win over Italy may not guarantee them group qualification.
The French need to beat Italy and also hope that Romania do not defeat Netherlands in the other Group C match.
"We're still here and it's vital we keep on believing," said Ribery.
"We need to give absolutely everything we've got against Italy, win the game, and make the most of the small chance we still have."
Raymond Domenech's side began with a 0-0 draw against Romania before crashing to a shock 4-1 defeat at the hands of high-flyers Netherlands, who have already qualified.
"It's a shame because I thought we played a good match against the Dutch," added Ribery, ahead of Tuesday's match against the team that beat France in the 2006 World Cup final.
"We got together to discuss it, to say that it's not over and that we still have a small chance. We'll fight for it."
The Bayern Munich star is hoping fellow midfielder Patrick Vieira returns for the crunch match, having missed the first two games with a thigh injury.
"We've missed Patrick a lot," said Ribery. "Hopefully he'll be ready to face Italy."
"He's an important presence on the pitch, both as a holding player and as someone who can launch our attacks from midfield." (From BBC Sport)
Chivu Not Expecting Any Favours From Dutch...
Cristian Chivu is determined to write an important chapter in Romanian football history by advancing to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 at the expense of Italy and France but is expecting nothing in the way of favours from the Dutch.
The build-up to tomorrow’s final Group C matches has been dominated by talk that Holland may throw their game against Romania in order to eliminate Italy and France but the ex Ajax man can't see this happening.
"It's pretty difficult to say something like that because I know the Dutch game very well and I know what football means to them," said Chivu.
"They have waited a long time to play and win with this kind of attacking football. I don't think they will relax at all. Even though they have qualified, they still want to win to show continuity in their results and they also want to be confirmed as favourites to win the trophy.
"What we have already achieved is tremendous," added the Inter star. "If you had told me before the tournament that we would hold both France and Italy, I would have signed a sheet of paper and I would have been very happy.
"But now we have the chance to go through and I can see this team's potential. I want this very much and so do my team-mates.
"This is the most important match for our generation and qualifying from this group would be a historic moment for Romanian football."
Del Piero & Pirlo Dropped!
Alessandro Del Piero and Andrea Pirlo have both been dropped from the Italy team to play France tomorrow night, according to sources in Italy.
The Azzurri’s Euro 2008 destiny is out of their own hands, and they simply must go for the win in their match against France to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the quarter finals.
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni made five changes for the 1-1 draw against Romania, and it now seems that he is set to make some more tweaks for the match against France.
One thing is certain and that is that Del Piero, who was a major disappointment against Romania, will be on the bench, with Antonio Cassano taking his starting place.
Simone Perrotta will also definitely drop out, while there are strong reports that Andrea Pirlo will also be axed. Donadoni wants a stronger base in midfield, and will bring back Milan duo Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrsoini, despite their under-par displays in the 3-0 thumping by Holland.
The only other question mark is over the place of Mauro Camoranesi. The Juve man was outstanding in the first half against Romania, but tired as the game wore on. Donadoni is considering freshening things up and unleashing Antonio Di Natale on France’s ageing backline.
Gianluigi Buffon will be handed the captaincy again now that Del Piero is on the bench.
Maldini Tells Van Basten: Lose & Forget Milan Job...
Former Italy coach Cesare Maldini is confident that Holland will not deliberately lose their match against Romania on Tuesday night because if they do so Marco Van Basten can forget any ambitions he has of coaching in Serie A.
The Dutch have already qualified for the quarter finals as group winners having thrashed Italy and France 3-0 and 4-1 respectively in their first two games.
Both World Cup finalists must now go for a win in their game, and hope that Holland can do them a favour against Romania.
However there are obvious conspiracy theories that Marco Van Basten’s men may throw the game in order to eliminate France and Italy who are potential semi-final opponents.
Former national team coach Cesare Maldini, who led the Azzurri at the 1998 World Cup today visited the Azzurri training camp, and he believes that Holland will play fair.
“I can guarantee Van Basten and the Dutch's seriousness. I travel the world and I know how they think," said the father of Paolo.
“Against Romania they will play seriously. And I also want to say something else. Van Basten has a two year contract [with Ajax after the Euros] but I know that after he wants to come to coach in Italy.
"Will it be at Milan? We will see. But for sure he will want to arrive in Italy with a clean slate, and he cannot do this by losing to the Romanians on purpose.”
Holland Will Cheat Us Out, Rails Domenech...
France coach Raymond Domenech believes the Netherlands will lie down for Romania in their final group game, which in effect will knock both his side and Italy out of Euro 2008...
France and Italy have both failed to beat the Romanians and lost heavily to the Netherlands, which leaves Euro 2008's Group of Death more delicately poised than anyone would have imagined going into the final round of games tomorrow evening.
Domenech's men must win and hope other results go their way in order to qualify, while Italy may be able to progress with a score draw if results go their way. However, if the Romanians fail to win against the Netherlands, then if Italy-France produces a winner, they will progress to the quarterfinals.
There are several finer details surrounding each scenario, but the bottom line, according to the ever-controversial Domenech, is that the Netherlands will make it easy for Romania to progress to the last eight by fielding a weakened team, given that they have already secured first place in the group.
"Our game against Italy will not be decisive. It's the other match that matters," insisted the French boss.
"My opinion is Holland will make wholesale changes for the game on Tuesday night and it is already written that Romania will qualify with them from the group."
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