Italy clinched a quarter-final meeting with Spain as they sent France crashing out of Euro 2008 with a deserved win.
France had a nightmare evening, losing key man Franck Ribery to a serious injury after only seven minutes.
Eric Abidal was then sent off after 25 minutes for fouling Luca Toni to give away a penalty, scored by Andrea Pirlo. Thierry Henry deflected in Daniele De Rossi’s 30-yard free-kick just past the hour as the world champions joined the group winners Holland in the quarters.
Raymond Domenech’s side carried all the appearance of a spent force and their display will now surely herald a changing of the guard for a group of players that has enjoyed so much success.
Italy, in contrast, celebrated their recovery from an opening defeat against the Dutch to move into the last eight – although they will lose influential midfield pair Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso through suspension.

The Azzurri’s Euro 2008 adventure continues to the Quarter-Finals. With rage. That of Andrea Pirlo, master sniper from the spot, and Daniele De Rossi, serving a thundering set-piece drive into the net.
It would be hasty to say “the World Champions are back”, but they’re on the right track. Today, the team looked in better shape, more motivated, more concentrated. And luck, the factor the Azzurri were so cruelly lacking until now, finally lent a helping hand to Roberto Donadoni & Co. France’s match went from bad (Franck Ribery’s injury in the 10th) to worse (Eric Abidal’s foul on Luca Toni inside the box, and resulting red card) in less than 15 minutes, and Thierry Henry’s deflection on Daniele De Rossi’s 62nd-minute free-kick was just the ultimate insult for Raymond Domenech, who will undoubtedly have to step down following his team’s elimination.

No surprises in the last matches of the Group C of the UEFA Euro Cup 2008. France lost against Italy. Italy played, as usual and to the bore of football fans, defense and to throw themselves to the floor each time they could to try to cheat the referee.
And as usual, Italy got their pass to the quarter finals of the UEFA Euro Cup 2008, with an accidental goal and with no football at all. France on the other hand, was one of the worse teams of the UEFA Euro Cup 2008. I am sure that even Austria or Switzerland could have defeated the French team.

L’Italia parte benissimo ma Toni spreca una quantità industriale di palle gol. Al 10’ la prima doccia fredda per i francesi: Ribery, facendo fallo su Zambrotta, si fa male ed è costretto ad uscire. Al suo posto Nasri che, però, non avrà un impatto determinante sulla partita, anche perché non giocherà molto: al 24’, infatti, dopo altre occasioni per Toni e Panucci, Pirlo lancia il bomber del Bayern che, stoppato il pallone in area da solo davanti a Coupet, viene travolto da Abidal. Rigore per gli azzurri, espulsione per il difensore francese e sostituzione proprio per il franco-algerino Nasri, che lascia il posto a Boumsong. Pirlo va sul dischetto e sigla il gol del vantaggio azzurro. L’Italia continua a rendersi pericolosa: prima è De Rossi che fa sudare freddo Coupet con un gran tiro dalla distanza, poi è Grosso su punizione a centrare il palo, poi è ancora Toni, con uno spettacolare (e involontario?) colpo di tacco, a mancare di poco il bersaglio grosso. La Francia è rimasta in albergo.

The Netherlands secured their place in the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals with a game to spare after producing another devastating display against France in Berne, with Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder all scoring in a memorable win.

Invincible’s Dutch, the phrase matches with the Euro 2008 Netherlands team. In their two league matches they simply outclassed their opponents. In first match they defeated World Champions Italy, and today they defeated one more Group Fav. France with score of 4-1. The way Netherland attack and defend is really commendable. Besides, the way they are playing in my opinion make them the strong contender for the title.

Even though I’m not a very big football fan (soccer for you Yanks ), I do enjoy a good football match. This night’s soccer match between the Netherlands and France was a great match with good football coming from both sides. The french did put up a good fight but weren’t as fortunate as the Dutchies. Anyway, getting kicked in the ball by us dutchies must feel like punishment. 4-1 and 3-0 to the number 1 and 2 of the WORLD. That must count for something.
Anyway thanks to France for a great match. Fortune has mistreated you. Kudos to the dutch guys as well. You’ve been marvelous.

Het Nederlands Elftal heeft zich al na twee wedstrijden in de groepsfase geplaatst voor de kwartfinale van het EK Voetbal 2008. Dat is het gevolg van de 4-1 overwinning op Frankrijk, twee jaar geleden nog verliezend finalist op het WK 2006. Oranje zette ook dit topland met ruime cijfers aan de kant, na afgelopen maandag de wereldkampioen te hebben gedeklasseerd. Daarmee is Nederland met glans door de ‘poule des doods’ gekomen. Zelfs na de dikke overwinning op de Italianen hebben waarschijnlijk weinig mensen deze uitslag tegen Frankrijk voorspeld.