Euro 2008 Diary [day11]

France 0-2 Italy / Netherlands 2-0 Romania

The pressure is on the managers in Zurich where only one of World Cup finalists France or Italy can go through to the quarter finals. "One might lose his job tonight" suggests John Motson. "They both might... then again they both might stay" is Mark Lawrenson's typically astute reply. Italy dominate the opening minutes and only a goal-line clearance from Claude Makelele denies Christian Panucci. A bad start gets worse for France as Franck Ribery is forced off with an injury just eight minutes on.

Meanwhile in Bern the already qualified Netherlands have made nine changes to their line-up, and so far the only thing concerning them is a particularly bad smell in the dug-out as the rest of the substitutes look accusingly at Rafael Van der Vaart. Back in Zurich Italy take a deserved lead midway through the half, Luca Toni gets on the end of a long ball and is brought down by Eric Abidal. Andrea Pirlo scores the resulting penalty while Abidal is dismissed. France are forced to reshuffle and substitute their substitute, Samir Nasri giving way for Jean-Alain Boumsong just fifteen minutes after he came on for Ribery thus sending Motson into statistical overdrive.

Italy have chances to add to their lead before the break with Luca Toni missing a hatful of chances, while Fabio Grosso's free-kick is only kept out by a combination of Gregory Coupet's finger-tips and the goal-post. One nil at half-time; bad news for France and for Romania who now have to win against the Dutch. The half-time highlights from Bern suggest an even contest with the threat of Adrian Mutu matched by the Netherlands' reserve line-up, their best chance wasted by Arjen Robben.

Ten minutes into the second half the Dutch do take the lead as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar turns home Ibrahim Afellay's low cross. That news is greeted warmly in Zurich where Italy are weathering increased French possession, but a wayward long range volley from Karim Benzema is as close as France come to a goal. After an hour the Italians deliver the killer blow to seemingly cement the end of an era for French football; Daniele De Rossi's long range free-kick deflecting in via Thierry Henry's left boot. Benzema almost pulls a goal back, but he is denied by a brilliant save from Gianluigia Buffon and only terrible finishing prevents Italy from increasing their lead; "More Swiss Toni than Luca Toni" summarises Lawrenson in a desperate hunt for a pun.

The Netherlands make sure that it will be Italy joining them in the quarter finals as they score a second goal in Bern to end Romania's hopes of progression. Robin Van Persie controlling a cross before finishing high and hard into the top corner to set up a quarter final tie with either Sweden or Russia, whilst Italy will now face Spain.