The Netherlands destroyed world champions Italy in the most entertaining match so far in the European football championship finals on June 9, while Romania and France provided the first draw of the tournament in the earlier game of the day.

The Dutch and Italians went on the attack with abandon from the kick-off, disproving the critics that predicted a dour defensive display from both teams, as both had their chances within minutes from the starting whistle.

Both teams played an open style of football, although neither found their rhythm at the start, with Netherlands looking slightly more dangerous. The Dutch even had a penalty shout turned down early in the game when Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon came close to upending Ruud van Nistelrooy in the penalty area, but the striker stayed on his feet and Italy eventually managed to clear the ball in the ensuing scramble.

But the Real Madrid striker would not be denied for long and opened the scoring in the 26th minute, when he was left alone in the six-yard box, tapping in a cross from Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The goal elicited loud objections from Italian players, with Luca Toni earning himself a booking, who argued that the goal should not be allowed because van Nistelrooy was yards offside. According to Fifa rules, however, Christian Panucci, who was behind the goal line apparently injured, counted as the last defender and the goal was allowed to stand.

Five minutes later, Holland doubled their advantage, breaking rapidly after an Italian corner. Van Bronckhorst's long diagonal pass found Dirk Kuyt in the penalty area, which the Liverpool striker headed down into the path of Wesley Sneijder, whose shot at the near post had Buffon beat.

The Italians resumed their attacks after the interval and came close to reducing the deficit on several occasions, but found their opponents difficult to break down. On the few occasions that the world champions threatened, their luck appeared to have deserted them and Toni missed a golden opportunity in the 76th minute, failing to beat Edwin van der Sar one on one.

Meanwhile, the Dutch focused on swift counter-attacks and it paid of in the 80th minute, when van Bronckhorst capped his man-of-the-match display with goal, Kuyt once again turned provider, to set the final score - 3:0.

In the first match of the evening, France and Romania played out a dour 0:0 draw, the first in the tournament, with neither side committing to all-out attack and apparently content to take a point from the fixture.

Next in group C, Italy will take on Romania and Holland will play France on June 13.