Lucky Italy - Stupid Italy (Best German opinion on the Semi-Finals)

Member Name: dooyoo Germany

Product:	Best German opinion on the Semi-Finals
Date:	05/07/00 (6 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Both teams played a good game

Disadvantages: Unlucky Dutchmen

[This opinion is from kerlimaus99, about the Semi-Final Italy vs. Netherlands]

What a mess of it the Dutch made. What a game against Yugoslavia! And now it seems that the Netherlands have forgotten how to play football. Okay, you can't compare Yugoslavia with Italy, the cattenaccio is almost a legend, but it can't be true that they lost.

The Italians played very passively in the first half, especially after the red card. The Dutch had one good opportunity after another and the Italians
didn't even shoot at the Dutch goal. The Dutch team couldn't even utilise the penalty to score, because the Italian goalie saved the shot.

The 10 Italians played more self-confidently after the break and they could have scored some goals. The consequence of this was an open game. The next highlight was another penalty for the Netherlands - they didn't score that one either.

Thereafter the Dutch team attacked the Italians, who were still very dangerous due to there good counters.

The game went into extratime with good opportunities for both teams, but unfortunately without a golden goal.

The Dutch could have prevented the penalty shootout, if they had just scored one of their penalties in normal time.

And then to the penalty shootout: The Italians took the lead. Then, the Dutch team had to keep the scores level, but they hadn't scored the two times that were needed, and, sure enoough, Toldo
saved de Boer's penalty. The Netherlands were in big trouble. Italy scored the next penalty and took a 2-0 lead. The Netherlands could now only rely on the Italian team. Italy had to miss a
penalty, otherwise Holland couldn't reach the finals. Nevertheless, the Dutch team didn't even use their fourth penalty!!! What came next? The Amsterdam arena was almost burning. Even the Dutch Crown Prince couldn´t watch the game
anymore. Italy scored again. 3-0. If the Netherlands missed the next
penalty, Italy would be in the final. Kluivert scored. But if Maldini scored a goal, Italy would go to Rotterdam. Van der Sar saved and the Netherlands had another chance. Toldo saved the final penalty from Von Bosvelt and the game was over.

The Dutch team beat themselves; it couldn't take advantage of its dearth of chances. Perhaps, the luckiest and smartest team had won and not the best team. Italy deserved to be in the final due to the stupidity of the Dutch team, but I see no chance for Italy in the final after this performance. I think that France will win the title.

It was a good game with a surprising end. Now we should look forward with pleasure to France against Italy.

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