ITALY

Buffon: 8 – Confirmed his status as the best goalkeeper in the world with a simply magnificent fingertip save from Benzema.

Zambrotta: 7.5 – Bombed up and down the right flank, particularly in the first half. Back to something near his best following his mistake against Romania.

Panucci: 6.5 – A calming influence in defence. Offered some tactical organisation in the absence of Cannavaro. Almost scored with a header too.

Chiellini: 6.5 – Another committed display from Chiellini, who showed his typical leadership qualities. Made one mistake in letting Henry through but he was not made to pay.

Grosso: 7 – Not as impressive as in his first two games, but still did very well, and almost scored when his free kick crashed off the post.

Gattuso: 7 – Surprisingly good in the first half, he was simply more up for the game than the French. Tired as the match wore on. Booked and will miss the quarter final against Spain.

Pirlo: 8 – Simply on another planet in the first half. Scored the penalty, dictated the play, and one through ball to Perrotta was pure genius. Also got booked and will be a big miss against Spain.

De Rossi: 9 – An absolute colossus in the centre of midfield. This was the De Rossi who was the best player in Serie A last season. Scored a fortuitous goal, but he deserved this luck. A beast.

Perrotta: 6 – A little off the pace, but once again he provided some much needed balance to the Italian midfield.

Cassano: 7 – Drifted in an out of the game, but had his moments, including one stunning back heeled through ball to Zambrotta. Will need to bring some more effectiveness into his game, even if he is clearly a better choice than Del Piero.

Toni: 6.5 – Held the ball up well, and won the penalty, but he could have had a double hat-trick tonight so awful was his finishing. I have never seen a striker scuff so many shots in one game. Looked exhausted at the end - could the long season have taken its toll?

Substitutes

Ambrosini: 6 – Slightly bemusing decision by Donadoni to bring him on for Pirlo, but it seemed to work in quelling France's strong start to the second half.

Camoranesi: 6 – Never really got into the game during his limited time on the field, although he had one shot deflected wide.

Aquilani: N/A – No time to make an impact.


FRANCE

Coupet: 8 – Has been criticised this tournament but tonight he was superb, helping to keep the score down with a brilliant tip onto the post from Grosso, and another save onto the woodwork from Toni in injury time.

Clerc: 6 – Not too bad defensively, and did not disgrace himself against Cassano. Provided nothing going forward though.

Abidal: 4 – Shocking decision by Domenech to play him at centre back. The game was lost when he gave away a penalty and got himself sent off. I wonder what Philippe Mexes must be thinking sitting on his settee in Rome.

Gallas: 5 – Struggled to cope with Toni’s strength, and was only let off by the striker’s dreadful finishing. A bad example to his team-mates also. How he is captain of Arsenal I do not know.

Evra: 5.5 – Certainly not the same outstanding player for country that he is for his club. Seemed disinterested at times. Was he playing for his manager?

Makelele: 5.5 – One of the greatest holding midfielders of all time, but at the age of 35 his time is now up. It is time to pass over the baton.

Toulalan: 7.5 – Excellent. Did virtually everything in midfield for France, and created the team’s best chance for Henry. One of the few French players who was really up for the game.

Ribery: N/A – Started brightly before picking up what looked a serious injury after just eight minutes. His departure was a massive blow.

Govou: 4 – Virtually anonymous. Govou shouldn’t have even made the French squad, let alone the team. Simply a disgrace that David Trezeguet was left at home.

Henry: 6.5 – Tried his best, and caused the Italians some problems at times. However he missed a fine chance to equalise at 0-1, and had the misfortune of deflecting De Rossi’s free kick into his own net.

Benzema: 7 – A bright spark up-front for France. Always looked the most likely player to score, and would have hit the back of the net if it wasn’t for a world class save from Buffon.

Substitutes

Nasri: N/A – Replaced the injured Ribery but only lasted 16 minutes before he was withdrawn for Boumsong following Abidal’s sending off.

Boumsong: 6 – Had a nervy first five minutes after coming on, but in truth he didn’t do too bad given the circumstances.

Anelka: 6 –Made no impact on the game following his late introduction.

Italy Vs France Highlights and Video Euro 2008 on June 17, 2008.

Italy Vs France Highlights Euro 2008:

Stage: Group C

Venue: Letzigrund Stadium

Date: June 17, 2008

Kick-Off Time: 19.45 (UK Time)


Italy Vs France Starting Eleven:-

Italy Starting Lineup:-

Coach: Roberto Donadoni
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
Defence: Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso
Midfield: Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi, Camoranise, Perotta
Forwards: Cassano, Luca Toni

France Starting Lineup:-

Coach: Raymond Domenech
Goalkeeper: Gregory Coupet
Defence: Willy Sagnol, Thuram, William Gallas, Evra
Midfield: Viera, Makelele, Ribery, Malouda
Forwards: Henry, Govou


Italy Vs France 2-0 Highlights and Video Euro 2008

France

Coupet: 5 - Made a couple of good stops and was powerless to stop the first and last goal. He would have done extremely well to stop the second, but ultimately should have been able to keep out the third from Robben, which went over his head at the near post.

Sagnol: 7 - Got up and down his flank to decent effect. Was better than against Romania, but did not win his duel with Sneijder in the Dutch half or his own. Provided a smart ball across goal for Henry to touch home.

Thuram: 3 - Had a nightmare and looked every one of his 36 years. Was not quick or sharp enough and was even out-muscled and caught out of position from time to time. With no Mexes to step in, it's likely he will nevertheless retain his place in the side against Italy..

Gallas: 6.5 - Was strong at the back and, unlike Thuram, had the athleticism to keep pace with the Dutch forwards. Could have done little to stop the goals that punished his side on the break.

Evra: 7 - Looked a great fit in the side. Not afforded as much offensive freedom as usual but his defensive discipline was a testament to his all-round ability as a full-back.

Govou: 7.5 - A great addition to the team down the right wing and worked tremendously hard for his side. Had a few half chances and the Dutch a number of problems.

Toulalan: 7 - Grew into the game and was solid defensively, also playing neat and tidy passes throughout. Became overrun towards the end of the game.

Makelele: 6 - Made some horrible challenges but otherwise played quite well, full of energy and not allowing the Dutch too much freedom. Did not give up until the end.

Ribery: 7 - Lively and full of running but too selfish at crucial moments. Has not yet provided the magic spark he did for Bayern this season.

Malouda: 5 - Barring a few moments where he showed the skill we all know him to have, Malouda had a poor game. He gave the ball away far too often and was not incisive enough with his running or passing.

Henry: 6.5 - Some good movement but ultimately was kept out of the game for far too long, which is hardly his own fault. Had a big miss with the score at 1-0, but did pull back a smart goal to make it 2-1, only for the Dutch to add another less than a minute later.

Substitutes

Gomis: 5

Anelka: n/a.


Holland

Van der Sar: 7 - Made some solid stops, particularly midway through the first half, and looked dependable throughout.

Boulahrouz: 9 - Brilliant! Made several perfect challenges and gave Malouda no joy down the left hand side, or Evra, or even Ribery when he came over to that side as well. An incredible showing from the Chelsea man. Will Scolari be interested in hanging onto him now?

Ooijer: 8 - The player of the first half. Very quick to close down any French attacks and stayed tight to his man. His overcommitment occasionally almost left him exposed, but his was a performance tailor-made for the day.

Mathijsen: 5.5 - A little off the pace on the odd occasion and was caught out regularly when the French roved forward.

Van Bronckhorst: 7 - Had a stern test up against the vibrant Sidney Govou and often Franck Ribery doubling up as well, but he coped very well with a tenacious performance.

De Jong: 7 - Stuck in there to his credit, but could not impose himself on the game as he would have liked.

Engelaar: 5 - Surprisingly off-colour after a very good first game against Italy. Misplaced passes and was not as big a presence in stopping the dynamic Franck Ribery. Was substituted at half time.

Kuyt: 7.5 - Tenacious as ever playing down the right hand side. A well-taken header, in the right place at the right time from close range from a corner kick.

Van der Vaart: 7 - Smart passing as usual, not quite as expansive and marked tighter than he was against Italy.

Sneijder: 8.5 - Like Kuyt, worked tremendously hard down his flank, doubling up to assist van Bronckhorst on defensive duty brilliantly. Good pace when breaking forward and scored an absolute beauty in the dying seconds.

Van Nistelrooy: 8 - Moved very freely and held the ball up brilliantly for his side all over the pitch. Did not get into the box as much as he would have liked against a very disciplined French rearguard. Amazingly, he didn't score, but he showed several touches of pure class, including two 360-spins that would have made Cruyff himself proud.

Substitutes

Robben: 8.5 - A magnificent performance off the bench. His devastating pace put the French to the sword and his tight-angle blast gave the Dutch the initiative back after having just conceded.

Van Persie: 8 - Full of energy and was in the right place at the right time to thump home the second goal. An ambitious substitution that paid off.

Bouma: 6.5

Moments of the match

1st goal in on the home 9 th minute: NETHERLANDS 1 FRANCE 0. Dirk Kuyt puts the Dutch ahead with a powerful close range header from a Rafael van der Vaart corner after getting in front of Florent Malouda.

Second Goal in 59 minute : NETHERLANDS 2 FRANCE 0. Substitute Van Persie volleys home Robben's cross from the left with Coupet getting a hand to the ball but failing to stop it rolling over the line.

Third goal in 71 minute: NETHERLANDS 2 FRANCE 1. Henry gets France back in the game with a deft close-range touch past Van der Sar from a cross by Willy Sagnol

Fourth Goal in 2 nd minute: NETHERLANDS 3 FRANCE 1. Robben restores a two-goal lead for the Dutch when he twists and turns in the area before firing a fierce left-foot shot under the bar.

Fifth goal in 90+2 minute :NETHERLANDS 4 FRANCE 1. Sneijder caps a glorious night for the Dutch with a dipping shot from the edge of the area that clips the bar on the way in.


Video Highlights of Holland Vs France in Euro 2008



4:1 Holland vs. Frankreich-EM 2008 - MyVideo

ROMANIA

Labont: 7.0 - Was out smartly to deny Malouda in the first half but will be surprised at how little he had to do.

Contra: 7.0 - Marshalled Malouda fairly well and ensured he couldn’t get in behind and deliver crosses.

Rat: 7.0 - Sound defensively and tried his utmost to get forward whenever possible. Handled Ribery well enough.

Goian: 7.5 – A solid partnership with Tamas which marshalled Anelka and Benzema well and restricted them only to shots from the edge of the area.

Tamas: 7.5 – The centre back who plays his club football in France, did well and ensured the French attack endured a frustrating evening.

Chivu: 7.5 – The captain has a little bit of class which shows in his distribution. Tidied up well when needed to and a good all around performance.

Radoi: 7.0 – A solid, well disciplined, midfield performance.

Cocis: 6.0 – Steady, made the Romanians difficult to break down before being subbed after an hour.

Niculae: 7.0 - Another player who plays his football in France. Struggled at times on his own up front, but did just about enough.

Mutu: 7.0 - Looked dangerous and certainly gave Thuram and Gallas something to think about.

Nicolita: 6.5 – Busy and industrious throughout although he maybe should have been more involved.

Substitutions:

Codrea: 6.5 - Replaced Cocis with half an hour to go and kept things tight in midfield.

Niculae: n/a

Dica: n/a


FRANCE

Coupet: 7.0 - A virtual spectator for the majority of the game. Expect him to be busier against Italy and Holland.

Sagnol: 6.5 - Looked rusty, as well he might having missed part of the season through injury. His crossing and distribution were poor at times but he got forward well enough.

Abidal: 6.0 - Surprisingly picked ahead of Patrice Evra and he doesn’t offer the same threat going forward as the Manchester United man. Defensively did OK although it will be interesting to see if he retains his place in the side.

Gallas: 7.0 - Handled what little threat Romania offered comfortably.

Thuram: 7.0 – Looked after Mutu and Niculae confidently and really wasn’t troubled.

Toulalan: 6.0 – Came into the starting line up for Vieira but didn’t have the same influence. Couldn’t get his team going forwards although he tidied up well enough at the back when needed to.

Makelele: 6.0 – He saw a lot of the ball and his passing was as immaculate as always but he couldn’t drive his team on.

Ribery: 6.5 - France’s most creative player who worked hard to get in behind the Romanian defence but couldn’t quite carve out the chance the French needed.

Malouda: 6.0 – A quiet first half and an even quieter second. Seemed reluctant to take on his man and offered little as an attacking force. In short, disappointing.

Anelka: 5.0 – Had a few half chances which he didn’t trouble the goalkeeper with but otherwise a quiet afternoon. Domenech eventually lost patience with the Chelsea man and swapped him for Gomis.

Benzema: 5.5 - France will have been hoping for better from their great hope. Some nice touches and managed to fashion a couple of shots but didn’t really trouble the keeper.

Substitutions

Gomis: 5.5 - Replaced Anelka for the last 20 minutes but couldn’t find a way through the Romanian defence.

Nasri: 5.0- Replaced Benzema but could no better than the Lyon man had before him.

France's Vieira sets Euro 2008 injury deadline

France captain Patrick Vieira has given himself until the end of the week to prove his fitness for this summer's European Championships, which begin on Saturday.





The Internazionale midfielder has been ruled out of France's opening Group C match, against Romania in Zurich on Monday, with a left thigh injury.

He was expected to be fit for Les Bleus' final two group games but, given his nagging injury problems this season, some are predicting his tournament could be over before it has even started.

Vieira, who revealed he has a 'little tear' in his thigh, knows the next few days will determine whether he has a role to play in this month's showpiece in Austria and Switzerland.

'It is nothing serious, but unfortunately it has happened at a bad time because every day counts now and the tournament is approaching,' the former Arsenal skipper told French television station TF1, prior to Les Bleus' 1-0 friendly win over Colombia in Paris.

'Now, what I have to do is try to recover as quickly as possible.

'If by the end of the week I am not training with the squad, that would mean I will not be participating in the Euros.

'But I am still optimistic.'

Mathieu Flamini, who will play for AC Milan next season, has been called up to train with France's 23-man squad and will come in as a replacement should Vieira be forced out of the tournament.

Ranieri: France Will Win Euro 2008

The former Chelsea tinkerman didn't mention the Azzurri, perhaps afraid he might jinx the team's chances.

He is, however, confident that Raymond Domenech's Bleus side as well as Portugal and Spain have every chance of winning the tournament come June 29.

"All the indications seem to point towards France for me," Ranieri told Corriere Dello Sport.

"Even without Trezeguet, who should have gone, France have a side full of players who are able to turn any game around in their favour.

"Then there is Portugal with Ronaldo. After last time, they would want to try and win it and they will try and find the balance between solid and spectacular football.

"I am also curious to see what happens with Spain. They have not got Raul but they have all the most promising youngsters."

Ranieri was left baffled with Trezeguet's exclusion from the France squad after the Juve hit-man had a great campaign in Serie A this term.

France will play Italy in the final group C fixture on June 17 and it could potentially be a decisive game for the Azzurri.

PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) - France's final Euro 2008 warm-up should be a special occasion for Thierry Henry, who is expected to win his 100th cap against Colombia at the Stade de France on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old striker, who has scored a record 44 goals in 99 appearances for France, should play some part in the game to become the sixth French player to reach that milestone.

The Barcelona forward will join Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly, Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira and Didier Deschamps as the French players to have played 100 internationals or more.

Defender Thuram, Henry's team mate at Barca, holds the national record with 139.

Henry won his first cap in a 2-1 win over South Africa in 1997. He was a member of the squad who lifted the World Cup on home soil in 1998, although he did not play in the final, and helped France win the European championship two years later.

After eight years at Arsenal, Henry joined Barcelona last year and has struggled to adapt, although he did recapture his goalscoring form towards the end of the season.

He made headlines last week when he was quoted in a newspaper interview as saying he might retire from international football after the June 7-29 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

In the same interview, Henry, who is expected to be paired up front with 20-year-old Karim Benzema at the tournament which starts on Saturday, said he believed France could win the title.

France are in Group C with world champions Italy, the Netherlands and Romania.

CLAIREFONTAINE, France, Newcomer Bafetimbi Gomis, who has just emulated Zinedine Zidane with a spectacular France debut, warned he was not yet in the same league as the retired maestro.

The 22-year-old Gomis struck twice in a 2-0 Euro 2008 warm-up win over Ecuador last week, becoming the first player to score two goals on his first appearance for France since Zidane in a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic in 1994.

The feat earned him a surprise place in France's 23-man squad for the June 7-29 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

The dreadlocked St Etienne forward realises, however, that he has some way to go before he can be seriously likened to Zidane, one of the sport's all-time greats.

'You should not compare me with Zidane,' he told reporters at France's training camp outside Paris.

'I need to work to keep improving,' added Gomis, who extended his St Etienne contract until 2012 on Monday. 'Those two goals are behind me now.'

Gomis, who scored 16 Ligue 1 goals this season, is of Senegalese descent and had been approached by Senegal but declined the offer.

'I'm happy and proud to be able to defend France's colours,' he said. 'I had a choice and I chose France.'

An energetic forward whose two goals against Ecuador were superb, Gomis realises he is fourth in the pecking order for a place up front behind Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema and Nicolas Anelka.

'I'm here to make a contribution,' he said. 'I'll accept the coach's decisions and I'll take whatever he gives me. Even if I don't play a single minute at Euro 2008, I'll keep supporting the team.'

When Gomis was named by Domenech on a provisional 30-man list, many, including the player himself, expected he would be among the seven to be dropped.

'I was ready for that and I would have accepted it,' he said.

His performance against Ecuador changed everything and Domenech decided to take Gomis along and leave behind the far more experienced Djibril Cisse.

'If I'm here, it's because I deserve to be,' Gomis added. 'Now I must show Domenech that he was right to pick me.

'I'm young, I feel fresh and I don't put myself under any kind of pressure. We'll just see what happens next.'

France are in Group C at Euro 2008 with world champions Italy, the Netherlands and Romania.