Dutch advance, Italy, France on brink of elimination

France's Nicolas Anelka (L) is tackled by two Dutch players during the Euro 2008 Group C football match on June 13, 2008 in Bern, Switzerland. The Netherlands won the match 4-1.(Xinhua Photo)

ZURICH, June 13 (Xinhua) -- World champions Italy and the 2006 runners-up France have both come to the verge of being eliminated from the European Championship, as the Azzurri were held 1-1 by Romania in a thrilling battle and a classy 4-1 victory on Friday over France sent the Netherlands into the last eight ahead of the final matches in Group C.

Marco van Basten's side, who beat Italy in their opening match on Monday, now have ensured the top finish in the well-received Group of Death after moving clear with six points, while Romania trailed on two from as many games. Italy and France, each have one point and one score against four goals conceded.

Romania's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont (above) saves the ball during the Euro 2008 Group C football match against Italy on June 13, 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland. The match ended in 1-1.(Xinhua Photo)

Striker Mutu put Romania ahead 10 minutes into the second half when he punched on a loose ball from Gianluca Zambrotta's poor back header. But Italy leveled almost immediately as Christian Panucci prodded the ball over the line following a Giorgio Chiellini header.

The world champions, heading into Friday's match with desperate desire for a victory, had been denied an earlier goal by striker Luca Toni, whose volley before the interval was controversially ruled offside.

After the disaster 3-0 loss to the Dutch on Monday, another harvestless game would have bowed them out.

"It's too bad that after playing a good game, in which we were superior to Romania, we did not manage to get the 3 points," said Donadoni, who declined to comment on referee but adding that "I'll just say he didn't have his best day."