Half Time Report
Bright start by Italians.
Del Piero close range header deflected wide but no corner given. Mutu chance from the left 15m gone Buffon saves. Open game, Italy looking menacing and well up for it.
Tamas long range daisy cutter free kick well saved low to Buffon's left. 17m. Another free kick this time Chivu from 30yds deflected onto the post by D Niculae and Italian defender. Italy survived. 19m
21 minutes, Radoi off injured facial injury..............chance for Marius??? Romania leave it for a couple of minutes to check injury.
Threatening cross by Romania, cleared for corner, and another one, Buffon clutches second corner. Dica replaces Radoi 25m.
Angled cross from Italy has no takers and bounces out for goal kick. Another cross from right has Toni heading low and just wide, 27m.
Rats whistles a 25 yarder low past Buffon's left hand post, end to end stuff so far, Italy heading wide at other end. Half hour gone and Romania giving Italy a hard time, Toni just below another cross from wide left.
Commentator mentions no premiership players on the park.....no mention of Inverness Caledonian Thistle yet......come on Marius. Free kick to Italy blazed over by Del boy Piero from 24yds. Still end to end stuff, entertaining game with Romania coming closest to scoring so far. Mutu lets ball roll under his foot for throw in to Italy, he looks knackered already.........bring on Marius. Daniel Niculae harrying hard up front for Romania. Great defending by Romania to block Italians in six yard box, corner, second corner produces TV save by keeper, third corner produces another flurry in the Romanian six yard box and ball knocked clear. Italians now throwing lots of balls into the Romanian penalty area, but so far Romanians coping.....just.
Great stuff from Romania....................wahaaay. Caledonian Stadium just got a mention as did Marius...........and Italy goal chalked of for offside, good finish and tight decision. Daniel Niculae tries ambitious attempt as half comes to an end.