World champions Italy and the Netherlands won their final matches in group C at the European championship finals on June 17 by the same scoreline, 2:0, to progress to the quarterfinals.

The Dutch had secured their spot at the top of the group even before their match with Romania and fielded a team filled with reserves, which nevertheless included players that can single-handedly win a match on their night, such as Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. For Romania, a win would have guaranteed progressing at the expense of Italy and France, the two teams that played in the last World Cup final.

But instead of adopting a more swashbuckling attitude, as they did against Italy, Romania looked for the larger part of the match as a collection of individuals who were playing together for the first time, struggling to string along more than three passes going forward.

The Netherlands enjoyed the lion's share of the possession, aided by Romanian players, who appeared unable to stop themselves from giving the ball away. Expertly stretching their opponents' defence on the wings, the Dutch looked more likely to score and in the 36th minute Robben missed the first clear-cut chance, stabbing his shot just inches wide of goal. One of Romania's rare forays saw Razvan Cocis shoot over the crossbar when he was left alone at the edge of the Dutch penalty area just before half-time.

Within ten minutes of the restart, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, the Ajax striker rumoured to be a transfer target for a host of big clubs, who has looked largely ineffective until then, finally scored his first goal of the tournament with an easy-looking tap-in from Ibrahim Afellay's cross.

Despite going a goal down, Romania showed little urgency and continued focusing their efforts through the middle, making life easier for the Dutch defenders, who cleared several half-chances without too much trouble.

At the other end, the Netherlands continued to patiently test Romania, but their second goal came from a counter-attack in the dying minutes of the half, van Persie beating his market to thump his shot into the near corner.

In the other match, Italy took on France, both teams hoping that the Dutch second-string would prove up to the task of beating Romania, but neither team looked too persuasive in the opening minutes.

Italy received an unexpected boost eight minutes into the match, when Franck Ribery, France's most dangerous player so far this tournament, was stretchered off with an apparent hamstring injury.

Bit by bit, the world champions asserted their dominance and got another helping hand from French defender Eric Abidal, who got a straight red card after knocking down striker Luca Toni in the penalty area in the 24th minute. Andrea Pirlo converted the spot kick and Italy never looked back afterwards.

Despite constant pressure and a host of chances, the Italians needed help for their second goal as well, Thierry Henry sticking his foot out to deflect Daniele De Rossi's free kick over French goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.

Luck was on Italy's side throughout the match, but it remains to be seen whether it will hold against Spain when the two teams play each other in the quarterfinal on June 22. The last time they met, in March, Spain won 1:0.

The Netherlands will find out the name of their opponents on June 18, with Russia and Sweden vying for the last quarterfinals spot.