The date would be 17th June 2008 on which we would yet again witness two superpowers of the soccer world collide with one another. On one hand would be the might of the Les Bleus and on the other would be the prowess of the soccer world's reigning czar - The Azzurri.
The Stakes
The Stakes
A keen contest on hand, the French would look forward to avenge the defeat in the finals of the World Cup 2006 and book a berth in the last eight. Whereas, Italy would like to keep the French at bay so that they could advance into the Quarter finals of Euro 2008.
Venue
The battlelines have been all drawn up and the Stade de Suisse stadia at Berne, Switzerland would be the staging ground for the epic battle.
Players to look out for
Venue
The battlelines have been all drawn up and the Stade de Suisse stadia at Berne, Switzerland would be the staging ground for the epic battle.
Players to look out for
Thierry Henry-France
The leading goal scorer for the French national team, Henry is a goalkeeper's nightmare. Having scored 44 goals for his country, the striker has gone well past Michel Platini and has established himself as the numero uno striker for the Les Bleus.
The leading goal scorer for the French national team, Henry is a goalkeeper's nightmare. Having scored 44 goals for his country, the striker has gone well past Michel Platini and has established himself as the numero uno striker for the Les Bleus.Karim Benzema -France 
The 20 year old striker has wowed one and all with his goal scoring ability. Playing for Lyon he has scored 20 goals in 32 appearences, a feat which has earned him the award of best player in France. Blessed with the ability of playing as a central striker as well as off the wings , it will be a tough call for coach Raymond Domenech to decide the starting line up with the likes of Thierry Hernry and Nicholas Anelka also in the fray.
The 20 year old striker has wowed one and all with his goal scoring ability. Playing for Lyon he has scored 20 goals in 32 appearences, a feat which has earned him the award of best player in France. Blessed with the ability of playing as a central striker as well as off the wings , it will be a tough call for coach Raymond Domenech to decide the starting line up with the likes of Thierry Hernry and Nicholas Anelka also in the fray.
Franck Ribery-France
Being compared to the great Zizou by one of the greatest goalkeepers of the contemporary era is a compliment hard to come by. The Great Oliver Kahn showered praises on Ribery for his stupendous performance in the Bundesliga. As a midfielder he not only scored 11 goals in his 26 appearances but also assisted the strikers on a number of occasions. Voted as the best player in the league, Ribery has the speed and the skills to put any defence on the wrong foot.
Being compared to the great Zizou by one of the greatest goalkeepers of the contemporary era is a compliment hard to come by. The Great Oliver Kahn showered praises on Ribery for his stupendous performance in the Bundesliga. As a midfielder he not only scored 11 goals in his 26 appearances but also assisted the strikers on a number of occasions. Voted as the best player in the league, Ribery has the speed and the skills to put any defence on the wrong foot. Luca Toni-Italy 
The Italian goal machine is in its full flow. Playing for Bayern Munich, the striker has scored 24 goals in 31 appearances. Off colour in the world Cup 2006, Toni has struck a purple patch of late. This was evident in the qualifier against Scotland when he struck for the Italians in the very first minute of the game.
The Italian goal machine is in its full flow. Playing for Bayern Munich, the striker has scored 24 goals in 31 appearances. Off colour in the world Cup 2006, Toni has struck a purple patch of late. This was evident in the qualifier against Scotland when he struck for the Italians in the very first minute of the game.
Alberto Aquilani-Italy
An important cog for Roma in the midfield, Aquilani
is well known for his long range thunder bolts and astute passing ability. He can also cordon off the defence by playing deep in the midfield. Although he may not feature in the starting line up for Tuesday's match, France should have a plan to counter this potent force, as and when it is unleashed by Donadoni.
is well known for his long range thunder bolts and astute passing ability. He can also cordon off the defence by playing deep in the midfield. Although he may not feature in the starting line up for Tuesday's match, France should have a plan to counter this potent force, as and when it is unleashed by Donadoni.Andrea Pirlo-Italy 
Voted as the man of the match in the Semi Final and the Final of the the 2006 World Cup, Pirlo would always be the favourite choice of any coach. On this occasion too he would be starting as coach Donadoni's favourite. The midfielder is a master playmaker, his pin point accuracy and set piece deliveries will always keep the Italian strikers in business.
Voted as the man of the match in the Semi Final and the Final of the the 2006 World Cup, Pirlo would always be the favourite choice of any coach. On this occasion too he would be starting as coach Donadoni's favourite. The midfielder is a master playmaker, his pin point accuracy and set piece deliveries will always keep the Italian strikers in business.
The Aftermath
A do or die situation for both the countries, it would be a contest that every soccer fan craves for. Both the countries would go all out and try for a win to keep their chances alive. However, the match would be of little consequence if Romania manages to salvage a win against Holland, a fact that would be rued by both the teams for missing their chances in the opening round.
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