Scoring Summary:
Ruud Van Nistelrooy(26)
Wesley Sneijder(31)
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst(80)
World champions Italy suffered a calamitous start to their Euro 2008 campaign as they fell to an impressive Holland in their Group C opener in Bern.
The Dutch were lucky to take a 26th-minute lead after Ruud van Nistelrooy turned in Giovanni van Bronckhorst's effort despite being clearly offside.
Wesley Sneijder then celebrated his 24th birthday in style by adding a stunning breakaway second on the half-hour mark.
Italy had numerous chances to reduce the deficit after the restart but Edwin van der Sar came to the rescue, making superb saves from Andrea Pirlo's free-kick and Fabio Grosso's close-range effort.
Van Bronckhorst completed a wonderful evening for Holland by heading past goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in the 79th minute as the Dutch celebrated their first victory against the Italians since the 1978 World Cup.
The atmosphere at the Stade de Suisse was electric, with the Oranje fans far outnumbering the Azzurri supporters.
The duel between coaches and former AC Milan team-mates Marco van Basten and Roberto Donadoni also added an extra edge to the encounter.
The Azzurri should have taken an early lead but Luca Toni failed to get behind Antonio Di Natale's dangerous cross.
At the other end, Rafael van der Vaart's left-footed strike forced Buffon to dive to his right to clear.
Italy replied, with Toni's header from Gennaro Gattuso's cross going wide of Van der Sar's near post.
In the 17th minute, Holland should have broken the deadlock following a defensive mistake by the Azzurri.
Dirk Kuyt set up Van Nistelrooy, who got past Buffon but lost his balance and the opportunity vanished.
Shortly after, Sneijder's bullet strike went high over the bar as Holland got closer.
Midway through the first half, Materazzi did well to clear Sneijder's free-kick, with Van Nistelrooy ready to head on target.
Holland were lucky to break the deadlock, with Van Nistelrooy in an offside position before tapping the ball past Buffon.
At the other end, Van Bronkhorst made a crucial goalline clearance after a team-mate almost headed into his own net and Holland swept straight upfield to score their second.
Van Bronckhorst's long ball found Dirk Kuyt, who in turn set up Sneijder inside the area, the midfielder's first touch finish beating Buffon.
Italy could have reduced the deficit shortly after but Di Natale's close-range volley was saved by Van der Sar.
Three minutes before the break, Buffon made a fine save to deny Holland their third of the evening.
A beautiful ball by Sneijder found Van Nistelrooy, whose strike was parried by the goalkeeper.
Di Natale then fired just high over the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.
Italy showed more determination after the re-start and had a good chance as Gianluca Zambrotta did well to get past Kuyt but his effort went wide.
Toni then fired wide on the hour mark as Italy moved forward.
Shortly after, Pirlo's stinging free-kick fizzed wide with Van der Sar already beaten.
Donadoni brought in Alessandro del Piero, who seconds later fired on target but his effort was saved by the keeper.
Just when Italy looked to have found their rhythm, Holland scored.
Van Bronckhorst latched onto Kuyt's cross before heading past Buffon.
Italy never gave up but Holland defended deeply and held on for a famous victory.
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