Netherlands vs. Italy - Live (and Cool) Commentary

End Of Match:

For me the most important names of this match were definitely: Sneijder, Engelaar and Van der Saar. They were crucial for this amazing and deserved victory!

As for Italy. Del Pierro came in to late in my opinion. He could've made some damage if he had more time. Another good name was Zambrota. But the World Champions will have now to win both matches against France and Romania if they want to move to the next round!  

90' (+2): A last chance for Italy. Toni does the pivot in the box and Ambrosini shoots. The ball hits the defender and goes out for a corner. Nothing comes out of it. No consolation goal for Italy

90' (+1): 3 minutes of stoppage time to be added. Ciao Ciao Azzurra!

88': Great play by Robin Van Persie on the left. He cuts to the left and shoots. The ball goes really near

87': In the beginning I mentioned that the bright orange kit was blinding the Italians but it was the beautiful game presented by the Dutch opened our eyes and made me happy. I'm glad to see orange tonight

84': There won't be enough beer for the Dutch fans tonight in the pubs of Switzerland. The result is much better than any optimist commentator could've thought.

81': The ball kisses the bar in a great shot by Afellay. The Netherlands is total football in total control right now!

79':

That's what Dutch Total Football is all about... Italy had a great chance from a free kick from Pirlo amazingly saved by Van der Saar and in another incredible counter attack Gio Van Bronckhorst serves Kuyt and gets rebound after the shot and the ball is inside the net!!!

79': GGGGOOOOAAALLLLLL for the Netherlands!!!!

77': Oh MY!!!!!!! Great ball to Grosso and he cuts to the middle and shoots!!! Van Der Saar makes another great save!!! Fantastic!!!

75': Luca Toni received a perfect ball from Cassano and he didn't have the patience to put the ball down and score. It wans him and the kepper... another wasted chance for Italy...

73': And I was right! Cassano comes in for Camoranesi... let's see if Italy can at least score one

73': I hope Cassano is coming in for Camoranesi. He touched the ball only once in the second half

72':

Long, Loooooong ball for Del Pierro. He can't get it.

Cassano is on the side line waiting to come in 

68':

Another great shot by Del Pierro... The canon ball goes over the bar.

Sub for Netherlands: Nistelrooy is out and Van Persie is in 

68': ... and it goes way over the crossbar

68': Free kick for the Netherlands. A long range one. Sneijder on the ball

68': Italy attacking more now but the Dutch defense looks solid.

65': Del Pierro takes a shot from outside the box. He already did much better than Toni has done in the whole match

64': First ball for Del Pierro but he was caught offside

63': FINALLY!!!! Del Pierro is on for Di Natale.

62': Holland dominates the match. Italy's attack has been clumsy and non-creative.

60': Toni takes another shot that was just way too easy for Van der Saar.

58': Ambrosini puts pressure to recover the ball for Italy and receives the foul.

54': Materazzi is replaced by Fabio Grosso. I'm pissed!!! Materazzi didn't even get a card... if Materazzi doesn't get carded it mean that Italy is really not being Italy

52': Great shot for Zambrotta. On the left side of the Italian attack. The ball went wide but the play was dangerous

52': Nilsterooy just reached for his quadriceps after the cornet kick. That's bad news for the Dutch, he might need to be substituted

51': Gattuso gets his yellow

49': Engelaar is doing a great job controlling the pace in midfield

48': Materazzi almost chipped Nilterooy's leg in half and the referee didn't call the foul.

46': The heat is on. Italians and Dutch fight for the ball.

45': And we're on for the second half

Half Time: Italy needs to go back to the locker room and figure out a way to break through the Dutch defense. They played with Camoranesi, Luca toni and Di Natale up front but the team could not finish their opportunities. Time for Del Pierro (hey, am I being repetitive?)

45' (+1): Great shot by Di Natale. But the ball flies over the bar

45': I see the Netherlands closer to a third goal than Italy getting their first.

42': Nice ball control. And an amazing through ball to Nilterooy. Buffon had to come out and save it with his feet. That should've been a third goal

40': Oh no Kuyt is in trouble... he just "accidentally" slapped Materazzi on the face... He'd better watch for the payback!!!

38': Good ball from Gattuso to Di Natale. Intercepted by the defense.

35': Italy will need Del Pierro really quick. I don't even know why Donadoni kept the topscorer of Serie A sitting on the bench

35': Zambrotta just got a yellow card from fouling Kuyt from behind... Now let's see how long until Materazzi gets his yellow too (or maybe a straight red)

34': Lucky save for Van de Saar. One of the best keepers in the world is also one of the luckiest!

31': Van Bronckhorst save the ball on line and started the most amazing counter attack in Europe.  Total Football in action.  Sneijder's finish was top class... And the Dutch are looking good

31': GGGGOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL..... Sneijder for the Dutch!!!

27':

Buffon punched the ball to the top of the box instead of trying to grab or punch it outside. The ball comes back and after a powerful shot Nislterooy just deflects it inside the net!!!

Great goal... Now the World Champions need to catch up if they want to stay alive in this tough group 

26': GOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!! For Netherlands!!!! Take that Azzura!!!

25': Oh... Materazzi just saved that one... He chips the ball with his head and put it out of reach for Nilsterooy... Nice play

23': A little high for Luca Toni.

23': A harsh foul on Ambrosini. Here comes Pirlo

18': But it was a great moment for Nilsterooy!!! He was at the right place... just lost his balance

18': That WAS A PENALTY!!!! It's ok to give the advantage but he lost the advantage!!! ... Oh wai... just saw the replay... it was nothing

15': Another long range shot for the Dutch. Not a problem for Buffon

10': Great move by Panucci and Camoranesi on the right side. The cross finds the target man Toni but the header goes wide. Italy is playing top level but the Dutch are not bad either.

10': Free kick for Holland. Sneijder hits it and the ball hits the back of his team mate. Then V. de Vaart taked a long range shot but he'll need much more to beat Buffon from that distance

8': A much faster paced match. Both teams know the importance of securing 3 points in this group right now

4': Great play by Di Natale on the right. The cross was too hard for Toni to reach. But it was a good attempt

2': The Dutch kit is so bright. It might be part of the strategy to blind the Italians

0': Here we go ... the oranges versus the azzura

Before Kick Off: 1- Buffon; 2- Panucci, 6- Barzagli,  23- Materazzi,  19- Zambrotta; 8- Gattuso, 21- Pirlo, 13- Ambrosini; 16- Camoranesi, 11- Di Natale, 9- Toni.