Perhaps a more appropriate scoreline for this match would read: Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon 0 - Denmark’s Thomas Sorenson 0. This Group C match proved to be another tight, defensive encounter in what is appearing to be a very tightfisted European Championship. But rather than blame poor finishing, the Italian and Danish goalkeepers defined this game through their clutch shot-blocking and alert reflexes. Both keepers were called upon to make game-saving stops, especially in the second half.

Stymied in the first half, Italy’s finishing moves in the second frame were finer-worked than those of the Danes. Sorenson though was arguably even more prolific than Buffon, being called upon to turn aside Christian Vieri’s numerous headers and Francesco Totti’s well-placed set pieces. Yes, it is disappointing for fans of attacking football to witness a nil-nil draw, but atleast Buffon and Sorenson mitigated the absence of goals with their eye-catching saves.

Totti Ascendant

Italy was imperfect in attack, but it certainly wasn’t Francesco Totti’s fault. The AS Roma captain is a perfect number ten: meaning the type of forward who drops into the hole between midfield and defence and creates plays and scoring chances with pinpoint passes and clever touches. For example, at the 53rd minute, Totti’s perfect throughball to Zambrotta was no less artful for the latter Italian’s wayward finish. His free kicks forced Sorenson to make saves at full stretch in order to safeguard the Danish clean sheet. If Italian manager Giovanni Trappatoni can figure out some means of providing Totti more options up front—hint: start Cassano or Del Piero up front alongside Totti and Vieri in a Tridente formation—the Roman genius may just provide the most captivating performances of the tournament.

Completely Unrelated

Isn’t Italy right-winger Mauro Camorensi’s samurai-like top-knot the most impressive hairstyle of the tournament? No? Well, atleast it’s not another mullet…