Netherlands 2 – 0 Romania
France 0 – 2 Italy

So no stitch-up from the Dutch then and a French team tied up in knots was the story of the night. I’m guessing that the Dutch, using evidence from the first couple of matches, reckoned they’d rather play Italy or France in the semis, either that or they just couldn’t help themselves, flushed as they appear to be with their unaccustomed unity. But you can’t help feeling that tired & old-fashioned as the Italian team look, they may well come back and bite the Dutch on their bright orange bums should they get past Spain on Sunday.
What am I saying! of course they’ll get past Spain on Sunday because as we know at this stage of tournaments there’s ne’er a plane that leaves the ground and the Spanish not on it, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, bet soon or you’ll regret it.
Surprising as the Dutch reinvention is, the demolition of the French team is more so. And while not many may agree with me I feel it is rather sad. The guile and subtlety of Henry, the majesty of Makelele, and latterly the freshness of Benzema and Ribery pointed to an exciting blend of youth and experience that should have been too lively for the group of death. To see them, therefore in such disarray was a huge disappointment. . . . Who am I trying to kid, it was great to see the former Arse apply his famed finishing at the wrong end and seal a tournament performance that even England haven’t witnessed for many a year. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was the Italians who ultimately benefitted, it would have been perfect.
But an Italian match wouldn’t be an Italian match without one of their number going down like a soap actor in an audition for a remake of Zulu; I didn’t catch the attore’s name last night but after an innocuous bump from behind, he sank to his knees with a cry, slowly and for full effect spread his arms wide before clutching his back to grab the spear that had, seconds earlier been plunged fatally into him. But, as ever when the physio yelled “Cut. That’s a wrap” he was up and about with “thank you darlings” being sprayed hither and thither, picking up imaginary bouquets from the turf. That’s entertainment.