The toughness of the group, which includes France and Romania, emphasizes how important a victory would represent to any team.

Both sides were hit by a series of injuries late in their build up for the tournament, but their pedigree ensures a mouth-watering encounter is on the cards.

Head-to-head: Italy win: 7

Holland win: 2

Draw: 6

Italy

"When a side are world champions, there are obviously expectations," Donadoni said.

"People think that because you won the World Cup it is a guarantee that you are going to win. But it happens at club as well as international level – you can win the UEFA Champions League but it doesn't mean you will win it again.

"Every time there is a different winner and it is very difficult to repeat victories."

Team News: The injuries of influential captain Fabio Cannavaro and veteran Christian Panucci have left Donadoni with fewer options at the back.

Andrea Barzagli and Marco Materazzi are expected to start at the heart of the defense, as Italian reports suggested that Daniele De Rossi is favored to Massimo Ambrosini in midfield.

Probable Line-up: Buffon- Zambrotta, Grosso, Materazzi, Barzagli- Gattuso, Pirlo, De Rossi, Camoranesi- Di Natale, Toni.

Holland

"Robben is an important player – it is a disadvantage that he is not playing. But we played a lot of qualifying matches without Arjen and other players, so we are still capable of getting a good result," said Van Basten.

"It is going to be a difficult job for us and the group will be difficult with France and Romania. We will have to perform very well but we will give it a try."

Team News: After losing Ryan Babel before the competition, the absence of Arjen Robben from the opener has been confirmed.

Robin Van Persie, who has a thigh strain, is a major doubt.

Mario Melchiot is also doubtful due to a pelvic injury, while Wesley Sneijder is expected to recover from an ankle injury.

Probable Line-up: Van der Sar- Heitinga, Van Bronkhorst, Mathijsen, Ooijer- De Zeeuw, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Kuyt- Van Nistelrooy, Huntelaar.