"Italy 1-1 Romania"

World Champions Italy are still alive at Euro 2008, but was grateful to goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who pulled off a penalty save late in their 1-1 draw Tih Romania.

The penalty was a controversial decision, awarded after Daniel Niculae fell to the ground under a challenge from Christian Panucci. Up stepped Adrian Mutu, but Buffon pulled out a magnificent stop to deny the Romanian captain. Mutu gave Romania the lead only to draw Italy within one minute through Panucci.

In an open, entertaining game, a draw was probably a fair result. Aside from Mutu penalty miss, Romania office success and forced several fine saves from Buffon, while at the other end, Italy, for whom Luca Toni had a goal wrongly rejected for offside, he created a series of good opportunities.

The best opportunity in the early stages fell to Alessandro Del Piero who asintió wide range of close after good work by Simone Perrotta.

With roving left back Fabio Grosso, playing more like one end of a defender, providing a constant supply of crosses, Italy best hopes of breaking the deadlock appeared to be across the lanky Toni, but the Bayern Munich striker not is enjoying much success against Gabirel Tamas and Dorin Goi, who defended superbly throughout.

The tactic of crossings with a view to Toni almost paid off shortly before halftime when striker headed the ball into the path of Simone Perrotta, but the midfielder was denied by a fine challenge by Paul Codrea.

On one occasion Toni eluded his marker and beat Bogdan Lobont, the flag line offside, although television replays showed the striker was clearly onside.

For its part, the Romanians are shown more attacking intent that they had in their opening game against France. Several far-reaching efforts at risk the Italian goal and half of the half, Christian Chivu of free-kick was deflected into the pole Panucci.

After the break Romania continued the probe and that was about 54 minutes when Mutu cut infield from the left and drew a fine save from Buffon.

Moments later they were ahead of Romania. A long pass towards Crossfield Mutu met by Gianluca Zambrotta, who underhit a header back to his keeper, allowing the description Mutu to nip and crush the ball into the roof of the net.

However, the initiative did not last long and within a minute were Italy. Andrea Pirlo the corner was headed back Giorgio Chiellini in goal for the unmarked Christian Panucci to stab home from close range.

All surfaces and all to play, but Italy is, perhaps encouraged by its timely tie that came closer to getting a second. Substitute Antonio Cassano lofting a delicate chip with interest Toni and striker chested the ball into the path of De Rossi, whose header drew a finger diving save from Lobont.

With ten minutes remaining were handed Romania a wonderful opportunity to claim all three points when Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo determined that Panucci had fouled Daniel Niculae as the pair arrebató in the box. The Italian players, perhaps resigned to an early exit, looked surprised by the decision. Fortunately, Buffon, who possessed one of the world's best maintenance, and Juventus man dived to his left to pull a fine save from Mutu.

The result leaves Group C wide open, as things stand now Italy must beat France in their last group match on Tuesday to pass, although a victory in that game may not be sufficient if results elsewhere go in against them. Romania is in a similar situation, although given the respective ambitions of the two sides before the tournament began, will feel much happier with this situation of Italy.


Group C
Italy 1-1 Romania

Annotation:
Italy: Christian Panucci 56
Romania: Adrian Mutu 55

Lost penalty: 81 Adrian Mutu

Half: 0-0

Attendance: 30,585

Teams:
Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 2-Christian Panucci, 3-Fabio Grosso, 10-Daniele De Rossi, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 20-Simone Perrotta (18-Antonio Cassano 57); 16-Mauro Camoranesi (13-Massimo Ambrosini 85), 7-Alessandro Del Piero (15-Fabio Quagliarella 77), 9-Luca Toni

Romania: 1-Bogdan Lobont; 2-Cosmin Contra, 15-Dorin Goias, 4-Gabriel Tamas, 3-Razvan Rat, 5-Cristian Chivu, 8-Paul Codrea, 6-Mirel Radoi (20-Nicolae Dica 25), 7 -- Florentin Petre (16-Banel Nicolita 59), 10-Adrian Mutu (11-Razvan Cocis 88), 21-Daniel Niculae