Stunner Day

Today was officially Stunner Day in the Euro.  We'd seen some cracking goals to this point, but the Oranje were on a mission to prove that we were just getting started.  An argument could be made that the 3 best goals of the tournament so far all came off Dutch boots in today's match against France.  It's a tough choice, but the pick of the lot has to be Arjen Robben's bullet in the 72nd, just a minute after Thierry Henry had halved the Dutch lead with a dainty touch to the far post.  The combination of timing and stunnery is truly remarkable.  

Without further ado, your ASotD:

Holland are, without a question, the favorites at this point.  They have beaten the two World Cup finalists by three goals each.  Before the Euro started, I would have said France and Italy have the two best defenses in the tournament.  The Dutch have made a mockery of that statement, putting up 7 goals in 2 games.

The Dutch have abused the backs of both Les Bleus and the Azzuri.  Luckily for Romania, Holland's next opponent, they wear yellow and they will be likely be facing the Oranje's substitutes.  Romania might be less excited to know that the Dutch scrubs are the likes of Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Robin van Persie, and prodigiously talented PSV youngster Ibrahim Affelay.

Oh, and also Italy tied Romania in one of the most exciting games of the tournament, with Buffon brilliantly saving Adrian Mutu's penalty in the 85th.  It was a missed chance for the noted drug abuser to get the Romanian fans shouting "Yay-o" after a famous win over the Italians.  For Italy, it was just sad to be cheering for a draw against the Romanians.  

The current table in Group C looks like this:

1. Holland  6 points

2. Romania  2 points

3. France  1 point

4. Italy  1 point

Holland has clinched the group.  If Romania beats Holland, they advance to the knockout stage.  If France and Italy tie, Romania advance so long as they lose by less than three goals.  France and Italy both need to win and hope Romania does not win.  If they tie and Romania lose by 3, all three are tied on points, and if all three score the same number of goals, they are all exactly tied.  If this disaster scenario happens, I guess they go to a lottery.  Nutty stuff.  

I really have no idea what is going to happen here--I can easily foresee all three teams advancing.  Your Absolute Stunners official prediction:  Romania take all three points from a listless Holland side.  Controversy ensues when Donadoni suggests that Van Basten threw the game so as to avoid Italy in the semifinals.  

Final Standings:

1. Holland

2. Romania

3. Italy

4. France