Between Italy and the Netherlands, whose run to the World Cup quarterfinals was more impressive? The Italians, the No. 15 team in the world, finished first in a group that included top-10 teams Australia and Brazil, and then knocked off China, 2-0, in the round of 16. The Dutch, the world’s No. 8 team, beat two higher-ranked teams in Canada and Japan, and are one of four remaining teams that has yet to lose a game in this tournament.
That makes this match among the most intriguing in the quarterfinals. Two European teams, two relatively evenly matched teams, two teams that have won games as the aggressor and counterpuncher, two teams searching for their first trip to a semifinal.