Dutch coach Marco van Basten was a picture of contentment after his side hammered France Friday.

Dutch coach Marco van Basten was a picture of contentment after his side hammered France Friday.

"We can only be happy after first beating the world champions 3-0 (Italy on Monday) and France 4-1.

"We were a little lucky today, we made goals at the right time. I want to congratulate our defence and the whole team for their healthy spirit.

"To be number one in the group is very positive for us."

Van Basten won the Euro as a player in 1988.

14/06/2008 3h19

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Henry regrets missed chances
France striker Thierry was kicking himself after seeing his side concede a goal just when they thought they were getting back in a game they eventually lost 4-1.

"It's a shame," said Henry. "At 2-1 we could have given them cause to doubt, but they got their third right from the restart. Now we have to go out and beat Italy."

Henry had scored the goal after 70 minutes but Arjen Robben re-established Dutch supremacy a minute later.

France now have to beat Italy on Tuesday and hope Romania fail to win against Holland.

14/06/2008 2h50France

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Russia boosted as Pavlyuchenko declares himself fit
Russia received a much-needed boost ahead of Saturday's must win Euro 2008 Group D clash with titleholders Greece as striker Roman Pavlyuchenko declared himself fit to lead the line.

The 26-year-old Spartak Moscow star - scorer of seven goals in his 17 international appearances - had complained of a groin problem but on the eve of the match against a Greek side, that also lost its first match, 2-0 to Sweden, he insisted he was fine.

"I feel okay," he said.

Russia's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink said that things were looking positive for the forward, as they attempt to rebound from a crushing 4-1 defeat by Spain in their first match.

14/06/2008 2h23Russia

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Dutch thrash French, make semis
The Netherlands won Group C outright Friday when thrashing France 4-1 in Berne.

The Dutch have an unassailable six points thanks to having thumped Italy 3-0 on Monday, the remaining teams can all qualify, Romania have two points and Italy and France both have one ahead of their final game on Tuesday.

Dirk Kuyt got the opener after 8 minutes, Robin Van Persie cam off the bench to score after 59 minutes while Thierry Henry pulled one back for France after 70 minutes.

Just a minute later though a stunning Arjen Robben strike made it 3-1 but it was a sensational Wesley Sneijder strike from outside the box in injury time that setteled matters, making the score 4-1 and making the Dutch the third team into the quarters after Portugal and Croatia.

14/06/2008 2h05France

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Head clash Romanian needs eye surgery
Romania midfielder Mirel Radoi is likely to need eye surgery after being stretchered off during his side's 1-1 draw with Italy here on Friday.

The holding midfielder was taken from the field with his eye bandaged after a clash of heads with team-mate Razvan Rat, who emerged unscathed.

Romanian coach Victor Piturca said afterwards: "Apparently he will need eye surgery and he has a broken nose too. I've not spoken to the doctor but I don't think there is any chance he will play the next game."

14/06/2008 1h09Romania

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Holland lead France 1-0 at half time
The Netherlands stole an early lead against France in their Group C tie Friday and held on under Gallic pressure to go in 1-0 at the break.

Dirk Kuyt was the man on target, his powerful header from an eighth minute corner leaving Gregory Coupet no chance to save.

Sidney Govou and Thierry Henry both had good goal attempts and France had a sustained period of pressure without however making the breakthrough.

Holland were unchanged from the side that beat Italy 3-0 on Monday while for France there were three changes, Partice Evra, Henry and Govou all coming in for Nicolas Anelka, Karim Benzema and Eric Abidal.

14/06/2008 1h07France

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Piturca proud of Romania
Romania coach Victor Piturca was delighted with his team's performance after a 1-1 draw with Italy on Friday meant his side remain unbeaten in two Group of Death games.

"We witnessed a hell of a match," gushed Piturca, who is in his second spell as national coach.

"It's a very good result for us, because don't forget we were playing against the world champions."

"To take a point from the world champions and the runners-up and have a chance of qualifying from the final match is a good achievement," Piturca said.

"Overall it was a fair result although we should of course have scored from the penalty. France and Holland make up Group C.

14/06/2008 0h50Italy

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Italy continue to hope
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni was not too downcast after the 1-1 draw with Romania Friday declaring that he hadn't given up hope of making the last eight despite having a single point from two games.

"We created a lot of chances, but, unfortunately we had to settle for a draw," said the former AC Milan and Italy midfielder.

"Nevertheless, we remain on course," added Donadoni, who signed an extension to his contract prior to the tournament that takes him up to the 2010 World Cup.

Italy have one point from two games, Romania two, France and Holland, who play this evening, have one and three points respectively.

14/06/2008 0h29Italy

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Italy held to 1-1 draw by Romania
Italy and Romania hammered out a 1-1 draw in their Group C tie at Zurich Friday that leaves the world champions' chances of a quarter-final spot seriously compromised.

Italy have a single point from 2 games while Romania have two, France have one point and play Holland, who have three, later.

Romania struck first when Adrian Mutu pounced upon a poor backpass with a flashing snap-shot into the top corner.

A minute later Italy were back on level terms when Christian Panucci bundled over the line to make it 1-1 after 56 minutes.

Bogdan Lobont pulled off a wondersave on 75 minutes from a Daniele De Rossi header, while Gigi Buffon saved a generously given penalty when stopping Mutu's powerful spot-kick with a hand and a foot on 80 minutes.

13/06/2008 23h24Italy

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Italy-Romania 0-0 at h-t
Italy and Romania were tied at 0-0 at half time of their Group C clash Friday thanks to a string of saves from both goalkeepers.

Luca Toni had the ball in the goal but a linesman's flag ruled out the Italian's effort on the stroke of half time.

Romania's 'keeper Bogdan Lobont was a busy man as Italy captained by Alessandro Del Piero went straight for the jugular.

But Romania also had their chances, Gigi Buffon saving well from Adrian Mutu early on and his woodwork saving him after a deflected free-kick.

Romania have a single point from their 0-0 draw with France on Monday while Italy have none after a 3-0 defeat to Holland the same day.