Italy reached the Euro 2000 final after winning a penalty shoot-out 3-1 against the Netherlands after a brilliant defensive display that had kept the game goalless for 120 minutes. They now meet world champions France in Rotterdam on Sunday.
The Dutch, who missed two penalties in the first 90 minutes, failed in three out of four in the shoot-out to send Italy, who had a man sent off after 33 minutes, into their first European final since 1968. Italy had lost all four of their previous penalty shoot-outs - including the last three World Cups, while the Dutch had a record almost as bad, losing three out of three - the last World Cup and the last two European championships. But Luigi Di Biagio, Gianluca Pessotto and Francesco Totti found the target this time while goalkeeper Francesco Toldo saved from Frank De Boer and Paul Bosvelt and saw Jaap Stam's effort fly over the bar.
It was an incredible achievement for the Italians who had lost midfielder Gianluca Zambrotta in the first half after two fouls on Boudewijn Zenden. De Boer had a 38th minute spot kick saved by Toldo while Patrick Kluivert, the only Dutchman to find the target in the shoot-out, sent his effort against a post after 62 minutes as Italy, sat back and soaked up the pressure. It was a massive disappointment for the 50,000 crowd in the Amsterdam Arena who saw the Italians defend solidly for long periods after Zambrotta was dismissed. The pattern of the match had been established from the first whistle with Italy content to sit deep, soak up pressure and hope to hit on the counter.
Holland coach Frank Rijkaard resigned immediately after the game. Rijkaard said, "I just want thank all the players for their support."
(Reuters)
