Date: Tue 17 June Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich
Coverage: Live on BBC ONE and BBC Sport website (UK only), video highlights on mobiles, full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and on BBC Sport website (UK only), full text coverage on BBC Sport website and on mobiles
![]() Ribery is hoping for the return of Vieira |
France playmaker Franck Ribery believes his side can still make the last eight even though a win over Italy may not guarantee them group qualification.
The French need to beat Italy and also hope that Romania do not defeat Netherlands in the other Group C match.
"We're still here and it's vital we keep on believing," said Ribery.
"We need to give absolutely everything we've got against Italy, win the game, and make the most of the small chance we still have."
Raymond Domenech's side began with a 0-0 draw against Romania before crashing to a shock 4-1 defeat at the hands of high-flyers Netherlands, who have already qualified.
"It's a shame because I thought we played a good match against the Dutch," added Ribery, ahead of Tuesday's match against the team that beat France in the 2006 World Cup final.
"We got together to discuss it, to say that it's not over and that we still have a small chance. We'll fight for it."
The Bayern Munich star is hoping fellow midfielder Patrick Vieira returns for the crunch match, having missed the first two games with a thigh injury.
"We've missed Patrick a lot," said Ribery. "Hopefully he'll be ready to face Italy."
"He's an important presence on the pitch, both as a holding player and as someone who can launch our attacks from midfield."
UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C: FRANCE v ITALY
Date: Tue 17 June Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich
Coverage: Live on BBC ONE and BBC Sport website (UK only), video highlights on mobiles, full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and on BBC Sport website (UK only), full text coverage on BBC Sport website and on mobiles
![]() Donadoni has hinted his team will be pushing for goals against France |
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni believes Group C leaders Netherlands will go for victory against Romania even though the Dutch are already in the last eight.
A win for Romania would see them into the quarter-finals no matter what the result of the game between world champions Italy and France in Zurich.
But Donadoni says Holland will not ease off and allow Romania an easy match.
"Holland coach Marco van Basten is an honest, competent and upstanding man. I have confidence in him," said Donadoni.
"I'm not even thinking about that (Holland allowing Romania to win) happening."
"I believe in honesty and openness. Even if the reserve team plays, that's not to say the Dutch won't win. On the contrary, the reserves would love to show that they deserve a place in the first team."
Holland have already qualified by virtue of crushing wins over Italy and France, while Romania have two points after two draws.
Should Romania fail to beat Holland, Italy's match with France becomes a winner-takes-all tie for the second Group C qualifying spot.
"We have to beat France," said Donadoni. "It is a crucial match because when one still has a chance to qualify you have to push yourself to the limit.
"I saw at training the players are determined to prove how good they are against the French.
"They have a real hunger to prepare in the best possible manner for this challenge, which will dictate whether or not we progress."
Neither of Italy's star strikers - Luca Toni and Alessandro del Piero - have managed a goal in the Championship so far, but Donadoni remains confident his side can create enough chances to beat the French.
"The important thing is to create chances. If it is (Christian) Panucci who scores instead of Toni or Del Piero then that suits me as well.
"To have both the top scorers from Serie A and the Bundesliga doesn't guarantee you anything. But in training the team are creating a lot of opportunities and I was pleased with the strikers."
UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C
Date: Tue 17 June KO: 1945 BST Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne
Coverage: Live on BBC THREE and BBC Sport website (UK only), video highlights on mobiles, full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and on BBC Sport website (UK only), full text coverage on BBC Sport website and on mobiles
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The Netherlands are likely to leave out Andre Ooijer and Nigel de Jong, who are each a booking away from a suspension.
John Heitinga and Demy de Zeeuw are likely to deputise, while Arjen Robben is expected to start his first match after two substitute appearances.
Romania's Mirel Radoi is ruled out of the tournament with a head injury, while defender Dorin Goian is banned.
Cristian Chivu could drop back to cover Goian, with Nicolae Dica and Banel Nicolita coming into midfield.
Romania beat the Netherlands 1-0 in qualifying for Euro 2008 and held them to a goalless draw in Rotterdam.
A win in Berne will put Romania into the quarter-finals and match their best ever result in a major tournament.
The Dutch have kept up their record of making the quarter-finals in every European Championship since they won it in 1988.
Both Heitinga and De Zeeuw will be looking to play their way into coach Marco van Basten's thoughts for the next stage.
According to Van Basten Real Madrid winger Robben is "raring to go and eager" to start against Romania.
Van Basten is expected to rest at least five of the starting line-up which beat 2006 World Cup finalists France 4-1 on Friday.
Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is set to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy up front, while Robin van Persie and Ibrahim Afellay could replace midfielders Real Madrid's Wesley Sneijder and Hamburg's Rafael Van der Vaart.
Head-to-heads
Netherlands and Romania have met each other on 10 occasions with the Dutch winning six times and Romania once. Romania have only scored twice in those 10 meetings.
Both countries met in the qualifying tournament for Euro 2008. The match in the Netherlands ended in a 0-0 draw and Romania won the home leg 1-0 on 13 October 2007.
Team facts - Netherlands
Already qualified as group winners.
Now reached the knock-out stages in six consecutive European Championship editions, which is a competition record, and won 16 European Championship matches which equals Germany's record.
Boast six different goal scorers in Euro 2008. The tournament record is seven and is held by three countries: Czech Republic (1996), Italy (2000) and France (2000).
Beaten two former World Champions in the group phase. The last country to do so was Portugal in 2000 when they beat England and Germany. Romania finished as runners-up in that group.
In the previous editions of the European Championship only five countries won all three group matches. France in 1984 are the only country to win the tournament after winning the first three group matches.
Team facts - Romania
Romania will qualify for the quarter-finals with a win over the Netherlands. If Romania draw, they only qualify if Italy and France draw.
With a 0-0 draw at France - Italy, Romania can lose by a three goal margin (except 3-0) and still qualify. With a draw at France - Italy involving goals (1-1, 2-2, ...) and a defeat against Netherlands, Romania are out of the tournament.
Player facts - Netherlands
Nigel de Jong and Andre Ooijer will miss the quarter-final match if they receive a yellow card.
In the second group match against France, Edwin van der Sar broke the Dutch record for matches played (26) at the European Championship and World Cup combined.
Midfielder Wesley Sneijder is one of four players to score in each of the first two group matches. Forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Lukas Podolski (Germany) and David Villa (Spain) are the others.
Player facts - Romania
Dorin Goian is suspended for this match. Goian scored the only goal when these teams last met in a European Championship qualifier on 13 October 2007.
Daniel Niculae, Cristian Chivu, Adrian Mutu and Cosmin Contra will miss a possible quarter-final match if they receive a yellow card.
Adrian Mutu has scored 29 international goals. He needs one goal to equal second placed Iulu Bodola. Georghe Hagi is Romania's top scorer with 35 goals.
Miscellaneous Info
In the European Champions Cup final in 1989, current Romania coach Victor Piturca was part of the Steaua Bucharest team that lost to 0-4 to AC Milan. Current Dutch coach Marco van Basten scored twice in that final.
Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports
UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C: NETHERLANDS v ROMANIA
Date: Tue 17 June KO: 1945 BST Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne
Coverage: Live on BBC THREE and BBC Sport website (UK only), video highlights on mobiles, full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and on BBC Sport website (UK only), full text coverage on BBC Sport website and on mobiles
![]() Van Basten won the European Championship as a player in 1988 |
Netherlands coach Marco van Basten insists that his swashbuckling side can still improve as Euro 2008 progresses.
So far, the Dutch have beaten Italy and France with a devastating brand of attacking football to win their group.
"Everything is great," he said. "But we also know between ourselves there are things to improve and that is what we are talking about and working on."
Van Basten also said they are focused on beating Romania - even though a loss would see Italy and France dumped out.
The Netherlands could face the runners-up in their Group C again in the semi-final if both win their last-eight ties, with some suggesting that it could be in their interests to send both the 2006 World Cup finalists home - and ensure Romania go through.
But the former AC Milan striker insists his side will approach the game as professionals - and aim to win.
"It's an interesting match because we are in the good position of having already qualified," he said.
"Nevertheless, I think we want to play a good game so we are taking it seriously.
"We have a very professional group, 23 'A' internationals who are seriously professional and good players.
"We are going to approach the game with the same concentration and attention that we did for the last two games. We will put out the best formation we can think about to play Romania."
UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C: NETHERLANDS v ROMANIA
Date: Tue 17 June KO: 1945 BST Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne
Coverage: Live on BBC THREE and BBC Sport website (UK only), video highlights on mobiles, full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and on BBC Sport website (UK only), full text coverage on BBC Sport website and on mobiles
![]() Contra says they will take the game to the Dutch |
Defender Cosmin Contra says Romania will go all out for the win when they face Group C leaders Holland.
A draw could be sufficient for group underdogs Romania to qualify for the last eight, but Contra says the Balkan team want to control their own destiny. "We're a good team and have draws against the most powerful teams in the world," said Contra, referring to their games against France and Italy.
"We need to attack. We need to go hard against them."
Romania finished above the Dutch in qualifying for Euro 2008, taking four points from their two head-to-head games.
"When we looked at this group our main aim against Italy and France was not to be beaten," added Contra.
"We beat Holland in qualification, so we believed we could do that again."
Captain Cristian Chivu believes Romania are on the cusp of a great achievement.
"This is a historic moment," Chivu said. "Nobody gave us a chance to qualify, or get past the best teams."Cech devastated by late mistake

Turkey cashed in on Petr Cech's fumble
Goalkeeper Petr Cech was disconsolate after his late error contributed to the Czech Republic's Euro 2008 exit at the hands of Turkey on Sunday.
Cech, who lost the Champions League final with Chelsea in May and has had a bad run of injuries, dropped a cross that led to Turkey's equalising goal.
"The only positive thing about this season is that it's over," said Cech, whose side lost 3-2 and now go home.
"The season was unbelievable, just bad luck after bad luck."
The Czechs looked to be cruising to the quarter-finals after going 2-0 ahead in their final Group A game.
But Turkey pulled a goal back with 15 minutes left and Cech's howler allowed Nihat Kahveci to level the scores at 2-2, with three minutes left.
Kahveci then stunned the Czechs with a late winner in the 90th minute to end their hopes of a place in the knockout stages.
Cech admitted to his costly mistake
Cech added: "When you make a mistake, you have to admit it. It was my mistake that decided that we have to go home.
"The ball was all the sudden too far away from me and as I tried to control it landed just in front of Nihat.
"Football is played by 11 players and, unfortunately, every time it happens that some do well and some do worse."
The keeper accepted full responsibility for his side's dramatic exit, claiming that Turkey's winner came as a result of his howler.
"My mistake was such a shock for everyone. I think the third goal was a consequence of the second one," he stated.
"When I went for the cross I knew I was alone. I didn't want to punch it. I wanted to take it at the second time and then suddenly the ball was too far.
"I should have just punched the ball - now I know."
Czech boss Karel Bruckner felt his team wilted under pressure.
"The third goal was an error and led to our collapse," said Bruckner, who had announced he would retire after his side's Euro 2008 campaign.
"To lose such a match is incredible, there was 15 minutes left when Turkey's first goal went in, they just kept coming until we lost.
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"The match had started really well. We established a strategy with Koller as our target man, thereby creating as much space as possible.
"That stopped us from coming under pressure and it worked. After we went 2-0 up we created several chances to go 3-0 up and that would have been it.
"But the reality is different. Instead of that, we badly handled the end of the match.
"The left side of my defence was creaking. We retreated more and more.
"It was just not possible to break out and play a bit. The Turks made it 2-1 then it was 2-2 because of an individual mistake.
"To lose like that is just incredible. We were three minutes from the last eight."
Czech captain Tomas Ujfalusi was left equally shocked at the way he and his team-mates let their lead slip.
"We led 2-0 and should have controlled things from there," he commented.
"But we completely messed up the end of the match. We went on to the back foot after their first goal and all we can say is we are distraught."Croatia

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Slaven Bilic's team dominated Poland for most of the match
Ivan Klasnic fired the game's only goal for Croatia as Poland's unlikely bid to reach the last eight ended in failure.
Needing to beat Croatia by at least two goals, and for Germany to lose to Austria, only a string of Artur Boruc saves kept Poland's losing margin down.
Danijel Pranjic, Ivan Rakitic and Klasnic had all been denied before the latter lashed in the winner left-footed from 12 yards early in the second half.
Ebi Smolarek wasted late Poland chances but Group B winners Croatia held firm.
Slaven Bilic's team will be full of confidence ahead of their quarter-final against Turkey on Friday after a side boasting nine changes to the one that beat Germany last time out maintained their 100% record in the 2008 tournament.
And the story of the match was made all the more remarkable by the fact that Klasnic only underwent a kidney transplant last year, having suffered kidney failure in January 2007 - and his emotional celebrations told a story all on their own.
Poland came into the match still feeling aggrieved at English referee Howard Webb's decision to award Austria a penalty in injury time in the previous group match to deny them victory.
Bilic is delighted with his side's progress
But any hopes they had of proving they deserved a place in the last eight fell flat, despite an encouraging opening 10 minutes.
First Wojciech Lobodzinski forced a hurried save from Croatia keeper Vedran Runje with a fine, whipped cross and then Dariusz Dudka headed inches wide of the goal from Jacek Krzynowek's corner.
But with Smolarek, their leading goalscorer in qualifying, left on the bench, Poland lacked any penetration and when Croatia settled into their stride, it was left to Boruc to keep the Poles in the game single-handedly.
Even having made so many changes, Croatia showed glimpses of their class, and Hrvoje Vejic was unlucky not direct his header home on 20 minutes from Ivan Rakitic's cross.
Thereafter, it was the Boruc show, Klasnic twice denied by the big Celtic keeper after dashing through a static Polish back line, and Rakitic and Pranjic both seeing firm drives beaten away in the closing stages of the first half.
Minutes after the restart, news filtered through from Vienna that Michael Ballack had put Germany ahead against Austria, effectively ending Poland hopes of qualification.
And, almost as if the news had finally broken their resistance, Poland found themselves behind just seconds later, Klasnic latching on to Pranjic's cut-back and lashing into the far corner left-footed.
Poland raced up the other end, Rafal Murawski sending a drive wide of the upright from 20 yards, but in truth their challenge was done and dusted.
To their credit, Leo Beenhakker's side plugged away and, after Smolarek had been introduced, Roger Guerreiro nearly levelled when he turned in the box and drilled wide.
Southampton striker Marek Saganowski also forced a save from Runje with a firm header, but Croatia always looked relatively comfortable - their main concern being to get through the game without injury.
With that in mind, match-winner Klasnic was removed from the action 16 minutes from time, allowing the last member of Croatia's squad not to have tasted Euro 2008 action - Nikola Kalinic - a piece of the action.
There was still time for Smolarek to twice drill decent efforts narrowly wide of the target and Thomasz Zahorski to waste Poland's best chance of the night - denied by Runje after sprinting clear of the Croatia defence.
But the Croats played out the last few minutes comfortably to extend their recent record to just two competitive defeats in four years and underline their potential as one of the tournament's dark horses for the title.
Poland: Boruc, Wasilewski, Zewlakow, Dudka, Wawrzyniak, Lobodzinski (Smolarek 55), Murawski, Roger, Lewandowski (Kokoszka 46), Krzynowek, Saganowski (Zahorski 69).
Subs Not Used: Kowalewski, Fabianski, Jop, Golanski, Bak, Gargula, Pazdan.
Booked: Lewandowski, Zahorski.
Croatia: Runje, Simic, Vejic, Knezevic (Corluka 26), Pranjic, Leko, Vukojevic, Pokrivac, Rakitic, Klasnic (Kalinic 74), Petric (Kranjcar 75).
Subs Not Used: Pletikosa, Galinovic, Simunic, Robert Kovac, Nico Kovac, Srna, Modric, Olic, Budan.
Booked: Vejic, Vukojevic.
Goals: Klasnic 52.
Att: 30,000
Ref: Kyros Vassaras (Greece).
UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP D
Date: Wed 18 June KO: 1945 BST Venue: Stadion Wals-Siezenheim, Salzburg
Coverage: Highlights on BBC ONE, BBC Sport website (UK only) and on mobiles, full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and on BBC Sport website (UK only), full text coverage on BBC Sport website and mobiles; live on ITV
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Greece striker Fanis Gekas will miss their final group game after breaking his cheekbone against Russia.
Defenders Giourkas Seitaridis and Vassilis Torossidis are also sidelined and midfielder Giorgos Karagounis is rated as doubtful.
Spain trio Carles Puyol, Santi Cazorla and David Silva were all absent from training on Monday.
They all received treatment for minor knocks from the 2-1 win over Sweden and are likely to be rested against Greece.
Spain are already assured of finishing top in Group D after winning their first two games against Russia and Sweden, while defending champions Greece have already been eliminated.
Puyol, Cazorla and Silva are all expected to be available for the quarter-finals.
Defender Puyol is suffering from an injury to the sole of his right foot, while Cazorla has a swollen left foot and fellow midfielder Silva has sprained his left ankle.
Qualification
Greece have already been knocked out of Euro 2008 and will definitely finish bottom of Group D. Spain are guaranteed top spot in Group D.
Head-to-heads
Greece and Spain have met on nine occasions with one win for Greece and six for Spain. The sole Greece victory came in qualification for Euro 2004, a 1-0 win in Spain. They met again at the tournament itself in 2004, the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Their last meeting was in a friendly in August 2007. Spain won 3-2 in Greece after going 2-1 behind, Silva scoring the second and third goals for Spain.
Team facts - Greece
Guaranteed to finish bottom of Group D which equals the worst performance by the defending champions in the competition since the group phase was introduced in 1980. The only other defending champions to finish bottom of their group were Germany in 2000. 1984 winners France failed to qualify for the 1988 tournament.
Elimination from the competition means that there is still no team who have successfully defended their European title. It also marks the third time in four competitions that the defending champions have not made it through the group phase.
The only country yet to score at Euro 2008. Denmark (2000) were the last team to fail to score at a European Championship.
Team facts - Spain
On a streak of eight straight wins and will equal their best ever international winning run with a victory against Greece. They can also equal their best ever streak of seven straight wins in competitive matches with a victory against Greece.
Unbeaten in 18 matches (16 wins and two draws) since losing to Romania (0-1) in November 2006.
Lost four of their 50 matches under head coach Luis Aragones. Those four defeats were against France (1-3), Northern Ireland (2-3), Sweden (0-2) and Romania (0-1).
Player facts - Greece
Giorgios Karagounis has received five yellow cards at the European Championship and shares the record for most yellow cards at the tournament with Gheorghe Hagi (Romania), Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic) and Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy).
Giorgios Seitaridis can equal this record if he receives a yellow card.
No player from Greece has ever been sent off at the European Championship.
The five players from Greece who have one yellow card at Euro 2008 will not be suspended if they receive another against Spain, as the rule only applies to this competition only.
Player facts - Spain
David Villa is now Spain's record goal scorer at the European Championship with four goals. He is also top scorer for Spain at European Championships and World Cups combined with seven goals, and the leading marksman of Euro 2008 after two matches with four goals.
Carlos Marchena will miss Spain's quarter-final on 22 June if he receives a yellow card against Greece.
Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports