GROUP C Matches - June 22, 2004
June 22, 2004
Group C 2:45 PM Denmark 2-2 Sweden
Before the match it was announced that if the final result of the match were 2-2, then both Denmark and Sweden would qualify for the quarterfinals, eliminating the Italians. The Italian press worried that the Scandinavian teams would collude to draw 2-2 and the Italians would be left out in the cold. Somehow before kickoff, one sensed this thing would end 2-2 and the Italian conspiracy theories would be born. How the hell could you orchestrate a 2-2 draw? This match was a cracker and one thing’s for sure: both teams were trying to beat each other.
Sweden is probably the better team in terms of individuals but the spirit and teamwork the Danes have shown proves that they can play and beat some of the best clubs in the world. Denmark started an in form Jesper Gronkjaer to provide width in place of an injured Rommerdahl. The Swedes were more or less at full strength, with a healthy strikeforce of Larsson and Ibrahimovic.
Ljungberg threatened early but the Danes remained calm and responded with some fabulous chances courtesy of Tomasson and Gronkjaer. With a half hour Denmark went up 1-0. Some crafty passing in midfield found Jon Dahl Tomasson who made a cut and struck a venomous shot into the top left corner. A super strike from a striker of the highest class.
Sweden tied the match after a dubious penalty decision, Larsson making no mistake from the spot. Tomasson scored again and Denmark looked to defend their lead to the end. It wasn’t to be. With moments left in the match there was a goalmouth scramble and Jonson for Sweden tapped in a ball that had ricocheted around the penalty area into the goal. For the last few minutes the Swedes passed the ball around in their backfield, assuring themselves first place in the group, with Denmark finishing a close second. The Italians would be outraged…
June 22, 2004
Group C 2:45 PM Italy 2-1 Bulgaria
To qualify for the quarterfinals, the Italians had to beat Bulgaria and hope the Denmark-Sweden match didn’t finish 2-2. With one minute to spare the Italians did beat Bulgaria but their celebrations ended when they heard the final result from the Scandinavian derby (2-2). Italy is a much better side than Bulgaria on paper but with some suspensions the Italians weren’t able to field their strongest lineup. Matterazzi replaced Cannavaro, Fiore replaced Gattuso and Corradi replaced Totti. The Squadra Azzurri lacks depth and Cannavaro, Gattuso and arguably Totti would be sorely missed.
The Azzurri took control of the match from the start setting the pace and controlling the development of the match. Although the Italians spent plenty of time in the Bulgarian half they failed to get off any meaningful shots at goal. Cassano getting the only real chance of the first half. A once formidable partnership of Totti and Vieri had given way to the lackluster trio of Cassano, Corradi and aging relic Del Piero. Cassano is still quite young and shows great promise but without the support from midfield he was relatively quiet. Surprisingly, without the injured Vieri and the suspended Totti, Trappatoni felt more comfortable with a 4-3-3. The Bulgarian center-halves had a few panicked moments with Cassano, but very few problems containing Corradi and Del Piero. Trappatoni has always been a fan of Del Piero’s but after this match I think he’ll have realized that Del Piero’s international future is over.
In the final moments of the first half the referee awarded the Bulgarians a penalty. Petrov stepped up and fulfilled his obligation. 1-0 Bulgaria! Half time. Trappatoni must have given a fiery speech at half time because the Italians started the second half aggressively. Shots sailed in from all angles and it wasn’t long (three minutes into the second half) when the Italians got some payback. The Bulgarian keeper Zdravkov spilled the ball and an awaiting Cassano pounced! Cassano’s shot hit the crossbar and Englishman Simone Perotta fed on the scraps to make it 1-1.
Italy could have had more goals but an inept Del Piero couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo so the Italians put on Vieri. Vieri hobbled about the pitch and should’ve put the Azzurri up 2-1 had his header from Pirlo’s cross not been off target. That header summed up Italy’s day. Good, but not good enough. Cassano, the boy wonder, proved his worth in the 90th minute scoring with a close range piledriver into the Bulgarian net. 2-1 Italy. The referee blew the whistle, Trappatoni looked at the scoreboard, the Swedes and the Danes had tied 2-2…Italy was out of EURO 2004.
The Italians Won't Like This!
Group C 2:45 PM Denmark 2-2 Sweden
Before the match it was announced that if the final result of the match were 2-2, then both Denmark and Sweden would qualify for the quarterfinals, eliminating the Italians. The Italian press worried that the Scandinavian teams would collude to draw 2-2 and the Italians would be left out in the cold. Somehow before kickoff, one sensed this thing would end 2-2 and the Italian conspiracy theories would be born. How the hell could you orchestrate a 2-2 draw? This match was a cracker and one thing’s for sure: both teams were trying to beat each other.
Sweden is probably the better team in terms of individuals but the spirit and teamwork the Danes have shown proves that they can play and beat some of the best clubs in the world. Denmark started an in form Jesper Gronkjaer to provide width in place of an injured Rommerdahl. The Swedes were more or less at full strength, with a healthy strikeforce of Larsson and Ibrahimovic.
Ljungberg threatened early but the Danes remained calm and responded with some fabulous chances courtesy of Tomasson and Gronkjaer. With a half hour Denmark went up 1-0. Some crafty passing in midfield found Jon Dahl Tomasson who made a cut and struck a venomous shot into the top left corner. A super strike from a striker of the highest class.
Sweden tied the match after a dubious penalty decision, Larsson making no mistake from the spot. Tomasson scored again and Denmark looked to defend their lead to the end. It wasn’t to be. With moments left in the match there was a goalmouth scramble and Jonson for Sweden tapped in a ball that had ricocheted around the penalty area into the goal. For the last few minutes the Swedes passed the ball around in their backfield, assuring themselves first place in the group, with Denmark finishing a close second. The Italians would be outraged…
June 22, 2004
Group C 2:45 PM Italy 2-1 Bulgaria
To qualify for the quarterfinals, the Italians had to beat Bulgaria and hope the Denmark-Sweden match didn’t finish 2-2. With one minute to spare the Italians did beat Bulgaria but their celebrations ended when they heard the final result from the Scandinavian derby (2-2). Italy is a much better side than Bulgaria on paper but with some suspensions the Italians weren’t able to field their strongest lineup. Matterazzi replaced Cannavaro, Fiore replaced Gattuso and Corradi replaced Totti. The Squadra Azzurri lacks depth and Cannavaro, Gattuso and arguably Totti would be sorely missed.
The Azzurri took control of the match from the start setting the pace and controlling the development of the match. Although the Italians spent plenty of time in the Bulgarian half they failed to get off any meaningful shots at goal. Cassano getting the only real chance of the first half. A once formidable partnership of Totti and Vieri had given way to the lackluster trio of Cassano, Corradi and aging relic Del Piero. Cassano is still quite young and shows great promise but without the support from midfield he was relatively quiet. Surprisingly, without the injured Vieri and the suspended Totti, Trappatoni felt more comfortable with a 4-3-3. The Bulgarian center-halves had a few panicked moments with Cassano, but very few problems containing Corradi and Del Piero. Trappatoni has always been a fan of Del Piero’s but after this match I think he’ll have realized that Del Piero’s international future is over.
In the final moments of the first half the referee awarded the Bulgarians a penalty. Petrov stepped up and fulfilled his obligation. 1-0 Bulgaria! Half time. Trappatoni must have given a fiery speech at half time because the Italians started the second half aggressively. Shots sailed in from all angles and it wasn’t long (three minutes into the second half) when the Italians got some payback. The Bulgarian keeper Zdravkov spilled the ball and an awaiting Cassano pounced! Cassano’s shot hit the crossbar and Englishman Simone Perotta fed on the scraps to make it 1-1.
Italy could have had more goals but an inept Del Piero couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo so the Italians put on Vieri. Vieri hobbled about the pitch and should’ve put the Azzurri up 2-1 had his header from Pirlo’s cross not been off target. That header summed up Italy’s day. Good, but not good enough. Cassano, the boy wonder, proved his worth in the 90th minute scoring with a close range piledriver into the Bulgarian net. 2-1 Italy. The referee blew the whistle, Trappatoni looked at the scoreboard, the Swedes and the Danes had tied 2-2…Italy was out of EURO 2004.
The Italians Won't Like This!
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