Day 3 Shocker: Oranje Crush

For the third straight day, the second match proved to be the more entertaining of the two games. France and Romania almost put us to sleep, this was due largely in part to Domenech's team selection. France was lacking in the creativity department. Toulalan and Makelele did their jobs, albeit wreckless at times, and Anelka looked uninterested and one might have thought he was still at Bolton playing in a meaningless Premiership game. Romania was who they thought they were and they'll be pleased with the result. They might not be so pleased to play the Italians though, fresh off that trip to the cleaners courtesy of a fiery Dutch side.

I'm still not sure about that first goal, Van Nistelroy was certainly offside, but I don't even know what the rule is if the defender is off the field like that, help me out guys. But no one can take anything away from the second goal. What a cushioned header by the world's most underrated defender Dirk Kuyt and what a finish by Wesley who looks pretty good in that 10 shirt. Teams have been known to peeter out after ridiculous starts like this, but no dutchie will want to hear that talk right now.

Both Donadoni and Domenech will have to be considering major changes, hopefully injecting some youth into their teams if they are gonna get out of this group. Daniele De Rossi will surely replace Ambosini who looks like he might be better suited as a sculpture model than a football these days. Di Natale wasn't so bad, but he was sacrified for experience in Del Piero, who had some positive chances, but didn't score none the less. I'd even like to see Aquilani break into one of their next two games.

As for the French, there was just no urgency about them. Did they not realize how difficult things would be if they were to only get a point from their first game. If you saw Domenech half-heartedly clapping at the final whistle you would have to think that he knew. But I just can't see why you would rather reserve your best effort for the two better teams, in games that were always going to be more important, versus coming out all guns a blazing versus Romania where the pressure is relatively minimal. They might have been thrown askew by Henry's pinched nerve, but there is a plethera of attacking French players at Domenech's disposal, you figured he might have used them/. Anyway, hindsight is 20/20, and I was just about to toot my own horn too about how well I've been picking the games, so much for that.