Netherlands v Italy

UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C
Date: Mon 9 Jun Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne
Arjen Robben will miss Netherlands Euro 2008 opener against Italy in Berne on Monday after picking up a groin injury in training.

Dutch coach Marco van Basten said: "It's very disappointing for Arjen and a pity for the team as we have lost another left winger in Ryan Babel."

Italy's Christian Panucci hopes to be fit, despite suffering a knee injury.

Keeper Gianluigi Buffon will captain Italy after injured defender Fabio Cannavaro was ruled out of Euro 2008.

Van Basten was philosophical about Robben's setback, adding: "Together with the medical department, Arjen will work very hard on his recovery. So we really do hope that he can be of value for the team later in the tournament."

Dutch striker Robin van Persie returned to training on Saturday after a thigh injury, but van Basten has questioned whether he is fit to play.

606: DEBATE
Who will escape the Group of Death?
Mario Melchiot missed the session and is rated as an injury doubt.

The right-back has been struggling with a groin injury but was considered an unlikely starter anyway.

Arsenal forward Van Persie's condition has been improving, but Van Basten has said he will not risk him.

The coach said: "His condition is improving from day to day, but it is logical that there is still some improvement to come.

"He has a lot of catching up to do and the Italy match will be too early."

Van Persie, however, has not given up hope, saying: "I understand that I lack match practice but I still hope I can start against Italy."

Wesley Sneijder joined Van Persie in returning to training with the full squad, despite his injury problems earlier in the week.

Italy will be desperate for Panucci to make their crucial opening to the so-called 'group of death', which also features France.

The 35-year-old, who is expected to be Italy's first choice right-back, tweaked a tendon in his right knee in training on Friday.

"It is a bit better even if it is a little swollen. I really think I'll be there," Panucci told a news conference on Saturday.

"At this moment there is a bit of pain but on Sunday it will be better."


BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads

Netherlands and Italy have met each other in 15 previous matches with Italy winning seven and Netherlands only two.

Netherlands have not won any of the last eight matches against Italy since the second round of the 1978 World Cup.

The last competitive match between the two countries was in the semi-finals of Euro 2000 when Italy beat the hosts 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Holland missed two penalties (Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert) during the match and another three in the penalty shoot-out (Frank de Boer again, Jaap Stam and Paul Bosvelt).Ten cards were shown during the game, equalling the tournament record which was set in the Germany - Czech Republic group phase match in 1996.

Head to head records and significant meetings

Team facts - Netherlands

Have reached the semi-finals in four of the last five editions of the European Championship.

Over that period Netherlands have won 12 European Championship matches, three more than second placed France and Portugal.

Played a defending World Champion on 13 previous occasions winning five times and losing twice. The last time was at Euro 2000 when they beat France in the group phase (3-2).

Won the highest number of matches over the last five European Championships (12).

Nations with the best European Championship record since 1988


Team facts - Italy

Knocked out in the group phase in two of the last three European Championships.

Unbeaten in their opening match at their six European Championships, winning four and drawing two.

Lost only one match in the group phase of a European Championship - a 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic in 1996.

One of only three nations to have won the European Championship and the World Cup. France and Germany are the others.

Been involved in more goalless draws (six) in this competition than any other nation. Netherlands are second on the list with five goalless draws.

Can become only the second reigning World Champion to win the European Championship, after France achieved this feat in 2000.

Player facts - Netherlands

Marco van Basten won the European Championship in 1988 as a player. He can become only the second person after Berti Vogts to win the European Championship both as player and coach. Vogts was part of the winning squad at the European Championship in 1972 but did not play.

Of all current trainers at Euro 2008 three have a history at the tournament as a player: Marco van Basten (Netherlands), Roberto Donadoni (Italy) and Slaven Bilic (Croatia). Van Basten and Donadoni were team mates at AC Milan between 1987 and 1993.

Edwin van der Sar can become the first Dutch player to appear in 14 European Championship matches. He is now level with Dennis Bergkamp and Phillip Cocu. The overall record is 14 and is shared by four players. One of those players is Lilian Thuram who can play his 15th European Championship match at Euro 2008.

Wesley Sneijder will turn 24 on the day of this match.

Player facts - Italy

If Gianluca Zambrotta receives a yellow card, he joins Gheorghe Hagi and Pavel Nedved as the only players to receive five yellow cards at the European Championship.

Alessandro Del Piero can play in his fourth European Championship as he was present in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Germany's Lothar Matthaus and Denmark's Peter Schmeichel hold the record with four European Championships. Holland's Edwin van der Sar and France's Lilian Thuram can also make their fourth appearance