Having earlier made a great save from Grosso, Van Der Sar again came to his team's rescue when he threw himself across his goal to save a free-kick from Pirlo and, as I checked my watch to see how long was left for Italy to get back into it, Holland broke out brilliantly and, just as they had done in the first half, instead of scoring, the Italians were picking the ball out of the net at the other end. Gio Van Bronckhorst with a header? Surely not! Can any Bear remember him ever scoring with his napper for the Rangers?
Having thought he'd taken a back seat on the international scene after leaving Barcelona, it was good to see Gio play such a big part in his team's impressive win. With nothing between the sides until Van Nistelrooy was ruled onside from the most outrageously offside position - unless a defender falling in amongst the photographers was reckoned to have played him on - I seriously fancied the game to finish level and had almost spilled my drink when Gio appeared on the goal-line to keep Italy at bay. Bump-bump-bump, the Dutchmen launched a sweeping counterattack and, 17 seconds after popping up on the line, Van B's cross was knocked down by Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder made it 2-0. Throughout the past week or so we've been treated to a feast of classic goals from previous Euros and you can bet your last brass razoo on this goal being shown over and over again in the years to come. Absolute magic!
Like I said, I still felt Italy were in with a shout and they certainly didn't fail for lack of effort. As always, Rino Gattuso put in a real good shift in midfield, got a yellow card, then put on his best choir-boy face when a later clash prompted the ref to have a wee word with him. I thought Donadoni might sub the wee man to save him from himself but he lasted the full 90 minutes, even although it turned out to be a helluva frustrating night for the Azzuri. Lining up against Romania on Friday, they know a win will push them right back into contention, while hoping Holland can produce a repeat performance when the French visit Berne.
Having always had my doubts about France, their insipid show against Romania in Zurich was neither surprising nor disappointing. I've never been able to take their coach Raymond Domeneche seriously. He looks like a cross between Freddie from Freddie & The Dreamers (I'm showing my age here) and a villain from Thunderbirds (I wouldn't mind giving that Lady Penelope one!) so I laughed when the TV pundits started to take the piss about him checking out players' star signs before finalising a team selection. Ah well, I suppose its better than picking the names out of a hat! I'm told he reckons Leos don't make good defenders. I wonder what sign makes a good ball-boy - or boy-balls as he refrerred to them at Hampden!!!
Thre French certainly didn't deserve any more than a draw in Zurich. In fact, towards the end of each half, Romania fired in a couple of dangerous free-kicks and corners which might even have left Domeneche's team with 'nul points'. It was a very poor game - 'the worst game of my life' said Alan Hansen - but heres hoping we've got the proverbial stinker out of the way. Looking forward to Les Bleus' games against Holland and Italy, they will have to improve dramatically and, while I don't fancy the Romanians to progress beyond the group, they could have a big say in who does go through. They may well already have dealt a killer blow to French hopes.
But if that was the poorest game of Hansen's life, the subsequent action from Berne has to be up there with the best. Isn't it amazing how many classic matches the Dutch have been involved in through the years. After the game, I checked out my own collection and found I was spoiled for choice. Euro88 v England, v Germany: Euro92 v Germany, v Denmark: Euro96 v England: Euro2000 v France, v Yugoslavia: Euro2004 v Czech Republic. And thats without even looking at the World Cup! Those 90 minutes from the Wankdorf Stadium are certainly worthy of inclusion in any classic collection.
Last week I tipped Holland and Italy to meet again in the Final in Vienna on June 29. Of course, silly me didn't realise that the structure of the draw means that can't happen but, if they do meet in the semi-final, it is a match I'm looking forward to already. By the way, does anybody in their right mind really expect Marco Van Basten to turn to his 'secret weapon', aka Thingmybobby of Whereveritis. Anyone who expects him to force his way into such an accomplished team has to be partaking of some dodgy illegal substances. And I allowed myself a wee chuckle when I remembered that the eejit from the Daylate
Rebel, when previewing the game, told us they were a team in turmoil, at each other's throats, just one bad result away from a crisis. Eh? Marco Van Basten's crisis management skills are clearly something special.
LITTLE BOY BLUE