Holland and Italy/France situation

[Tooting Gull]

Those 'they're all conspiring against us' specialists Italy are already trying to load the pressure on Holland amid cries of 'fix' over the match v Romania. Laughable, they should know, as the only big league regularly implicated in such things.

But do you think Holland have a duty to put out their best side against Romania?

Surely if you win the group with a game to spare, you've earned the right to do whatever you want, and rest all the big names if you so desire. Others may not like it, but they should have got more points in their first two games. Holland are looking ahead, and have bigger fish to fry.

I have to say, the fact that it is Italy who may suffer as a result has a certain beautiful irony.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Wait... is there a European championships on

 

[Robot Chicken]

Switzerland beat Portugal which wouldn't have happened if Portugal needed the points.

I am sure Romania will get the points they need to get through.

A duty to put out their best side? Surely they have duty to rotate their squad for such a meaningless game for them, and let the fringe players have a game.

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

I think Holland should look out for themselves. They owe Italy nothing. If Italy were in Hollands position then im sure they would rest players.

 

[che]

I think that Holland will lose against Romania.The advantage will be that we will meet Romania again in the semi-final.This is much better than to meet Italy or France again.So yes Holland will start with a weak team.

 

[Hercules Rockerfeller]

Holland did their job. if the French and Italians think they have a right to go through they had 2 games to prove it. Romania deserve the chance they have and I hope they win.

... And I am not just bitter cos England aren't there.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

if italy hadn't been utter SHITHOUSE in their first two games they wouldn't be in this situation would they? idiots

 

[Happy Seagull]

If i were MVB i'd come out in the press and say ciao and au revoir

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

Italy v France will be very interesting.

Wonder who will surrender 1st?

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Holland can do what they like - protect players from injury and yellow/red cards as well as giving the rest of the squad a run out. Rest players and generally prepare for the next round.

Or they can play a full strength side on the basis that it's only one game and a winning team should keep winning.

But certainly no responsibility to any other team.

 

[champion7]

Fifa's ruling states that a team can take 23 players to tha Euros and use them players how they see fit.

If i was the holland coach i would put out a reserve team in the hope that Romania then get the 3 points which would put them through,thus eliminating 2 big sides and making hollands chances in the latter stages easier

 

[Statto]

I have tried to ignore the euros this summer and have hardly watched it, but this is a verry interesting situation. So I felt the need for a very rare comment.

The result in the Holland-Romainia game may not matter in the end, because if the France v Italy game ends in a draw then the Romanians are through regardless. (unless they concead an avalanche of goals against Holland).

I may be wrong, but th only way Romainia can go out is if they fail to win and there is a winner in the france Italy game.

Now, those Dutch wouldnt dare field a weakened side would they?

I hope Romainia prevail as ive got them in the sweepstake at work.

 

[champion7]

I wouldn't write of the Romanias,I'll be rooting for them

 

[Questions]

Italy will beat France and the other game will be a draw so putting the mighty Azzuri through.

 

[withdeanwombat]

Holland 0 Romania 5

Playing the reserve left back in goal proves a mistake.

 

[Stevie Boy]

id love to see frace and italy go out, they have been shit, romanina have been better and deserve to go though, its going to be interesting

 

[itszamora]

I've a feeling Holland might well win anyway with a weakened team.

 

[1066gull]

Holland always shoot themselves in the foot. And worst, were worse than England at penalties.

 

[1066gull]

Van Basten will change the team around, but it will still be counter attacking flair.

At 1-0 they soaked so much pressure against France, but they remained unfazed and waited for the counter attack. SOLID.

 

[The Large One]

Substitute 'Italy' for 'England'. Would we feel the same then?