Netherlands (Holland) Vs Russia Highlights and Video : Euro 2008 Quarter Finals Highlights

Netherlands (Holland) vs Russia Highlights Details:
Stage : Euro 2008 Quarter Finals
Kick-Off Time : 19.45 (UK Time)
Venue : St Jakob Park


Netherlands (Holland) Vs Russia starting lineup:

Netherlands (Holland) Starting Lineup:

Coach : Marco van Basten
Goalkeeper : Edwin van Der Sar
Defence : Khalid Boulahrouz, Andre Ooijer, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Midfield : Nigel de Jong, Orlando Engelaar, Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder
Forwards : Dirk Kuyt, Ruud van Nistelrooy

Russia Starting Lineup:

Coach : Guus Hiddink
Goalkeeper : Igor Akinfeev
Defence : Sergei Ignashevich, Denis Kolodin, Yuri Zhirkov, Aniukov
Midfield : Sergei Semak, Konstantin Zyrianov, Igor Shemsov, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
Forwards : Roman Pavlyuchenko, Andrey Arshavin


The Netherlands (Holland) Vs Russia Match Preview is blogged by :

Netherlands - Russia Match Preview

Netherlands v Russia - Euro 2-008 Quarterfinal - Preview

Netherlands v Russia

Preview - Netherlands and Russia set for Basel battle

Holland - Russia: match predictions


Netherlands v Russia


Netherlands (Holland) Vs Russia Highlights and Video

Netherlands (Holland) Vs Russia Highlights and Video - Euro 2008 Quarter Finals



Full Match Highlights



First Half Highlights



Goals

Netherlands Vs Romania Highlights Euro 2008:

Stage: Group C
Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf
Date: June 17, 2008
Kick-Off Time: 19.45 (UK Time)


Netherlands Probable Starting Lineup:

Coach: Marce Van Basten
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Edwin van Der Sar
Defence: Boulahrouz, Mathijsen, Heitinga, Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Midfield: Sneijder, Demy de Zeeuw, Rafael van Der Vaart, Engelaar
Forwards: Dirk Kuyt, Ruud van Nistelrooy

Romania Probable Starting Lineup:

Coach: Victor Piturca
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Bogdon Lobont
Defence: Cosmin Contra, Stefan Radu, Cristian Chivu, Gabriel Tamas
Midfield: Petre, Cocis, Paul Codred, Banel Nicolita
Forwards: Ciprian Marica, Adrian Mutu


Netherland vs Romania Highlights video Euro 2008

Despite making no fewer than nine changes to their side, the Dutch maintained their 100% record with an easy win over a Romanian side that simply was not up to it on such a crucial night. The Tricolorii go home, while the Dutch prepare to meet Russia or Sweden

The World Champions of Italy might have so nearly been humbled, and France may also have left with their tails between their legs, but the fairytale of Romania's advancement through the 'Group of Death' concluded before the final chapter was written.

For it was the jubilant Dutch that left with all three points in Bern, Marco van Basten's all-changed line-up doing more than enough to sink their opponents on what was a largely uninspiring occasion.

First Half

Very little occurred to excite the largely Dutch crowd in the stadium in the opening stages. The Netherlands, perhaps finding their feet with an unfamiliar line-up, were content to work through slow buildup. Romania, meanwhile, offered little.

Bit after the quarter hour mark the Tricolorii began to apply a little bit of pressure with their possession, mainly through Adrian Mutu. The striker, though, was to endure a luckless evening from a wide position behind Marius Niculae, hit his first real chance off Wilfred Bouma 20 minutes in.

At the other end, the Holland side sprung into life. First Afellay cut the ball back wonderfully into the box only for Chivu to clear at full stretch as the danger mounted.

The game took on something of an end-to-end quality for a while after that, but neither side looked particularly coherent. The Dutch, though, marginally had the better of it, not least after Huntelaar flicked the ball on to an unmarked Robben 35 minutes in only for the Real Madrid man to drag his shot just wide when he shohld have scored.

Codrea passed up a similarly positive opportunity at the other end, albeit from longer range, as half time approached, and although the Romanians had made them sweat on occasion the Dutch seemed to be on top.

Second Half

Still, the Romanians had everything to play for in the second period and came out with all due enthusiasm. After some pressure in the final third, though, a wasted free-kick was all that the Tricolorii had to show for their efforts.

The Oranje, then, took the initiative once more. Van Persie, getting on the end of a lovely long ball, was let down by a weak shot on the turn, but soon enough it was to be 1-0 to the Oranje.

It was a well-worked team effort, and it came on the break. Romania surrendered the ball, and the Dutch brought it down the right. Afellay crossed it in low, and with Engelaar stepping over it, there was Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to decisively side-foot it into the back of the net.

Romania had to do something, and Daniel Niculae came on for namesake Marius to reply to Melchiot's coming on for Boulahrouz. The Dutch, not to be outdone, then raised the stakes by replacing Robben with Kuyt.

Kuyt was to see plenty of the ball over the next ten minutes, although there were to be relatively few chances. Afellay had the best of it 20 minutes from time after being put through by Van Persie, but a sliding challenge from Tamas did for that.

Romania, despite still having it all to play for, were exhausted and presumably demoralised by news of Italy's 2-0 lead, and it showed as the jubilant Dutch finished strongly. Indeed, they were to find a second goal: atoning for his earlier miss, Robin Van Persie getting on the end of a cross from the right before beating Lobont with a wonderful effort into the roof of the net.

The Tricolorii heads, then, were well and truly down, and the Dutch held theirs high as they take their 100% record to the next round to meet Sweden or Russia. Romania, who started so well and shocked the world champions and France, leave empty-handed.

France

Coupet: 5 - Made a couple of good stops and was powerless to stop the first and last goal. He would have done extremely well to stop the second, but ultimately should have been able to keep out the third from Robben, which went over his head at the near post.

Sagnol: 7 - Got up and down his flank to decent effect. Was better than against Romania, but did not win his duel with Sneijder in the Dutch half or his own. Provided a smart ball across goal for Henry to touch home.

Thuram: 3 - Had a nightmare and looked every one of his 36 years. Was not quick or sharp enough and was even out-muscled and caught out of position from time to time. With no Mexes to step in, it's likely he will nevertheless retain his place in the side against Italy..

Gallas: 6.5 - Was strong at the back and, unlike Thuram, had the athleticism to keep pace with the Dutch forwards. Could have done little to stop the goals that punished his side on the break.

Evra: 7 - Looked a great fit in the side. Not afforded as much offensive freedom as usual but his defensive discipline was a testament to his all-round ability as a full-back.

Govou: 7.5 - A great addition to the team down the right wing and worked tremendously hard for his side. Had a few half chances and the Dutch a number of problems.

Toulalan: 7 - Grew into the game and was solid defensively, also playing neat and tidy passes throughout. Became overrun towards the end of the game.

Makelele: 6 - Made some horrible challenges but otherwise played quite well, full of energy and not allowing the Dutch too much freedom. Did not give up until the end.

Ribery: 7 - Lively and full of running but too selfish at crucial moments. Has not yet provided the magic spark he did for Bayern this season.

Malouda: 5 - Barring a few moments where he showed the skill we all know him to have, Malouda had a poor game. He gave the ball away far too often and was not incisive enough with his running or passing.

Henry: 6.5 - Some good movement but ultimately was kept out of the game for far too long, which is hardly his own fault. Had a big miss with the score at 1-0, but did pull back a smart goal to make it 2-1, only for the Dutch to add another less than a minute later.

Substitutes

Gomis: 5

Anelka: n/a.


Holland

Van der Sar: 7 - Made some solid stops, particularly midway through the first half, and looked dependable throughout.

Boulahrouz: 9 - Brilliant! Made several perfect challenges and gave Malouda no joy down the left hand side, or Evra, or even Ribery when he came over to that side as well. An incredible showing from the Chelsea man. Will Scolari be interested in hanging onto him now?

Ooijer: 8 - The player of the first half. Very quick to close down any French attacks and stayed tight to his man. His overcommitment occasionally almost left him exposed, but his was a performance tailor-made for the day.

Mathijsen: 5.5 - A little off the pace on the odd occasion and was caught out regularly when the French roved forward.

Van Bronckhorst: 7 - Had a stern test up against the vibrant Sidney Govou and often Franck Ribery doubling up as well, but he coped very well with a tenacious performance.

De Jong: 7 - Stuck in there to his credit, but could not impose himself on the game as he would have liked.

Engelaar: 5 - Surprisingly off-colour after a very good first game against Italy. Misplaced passes and was not as big a presence in stopping the dynamic Franck Ribery. Was substituted at half time.

Kuyt: 7.5 - Tenacious as ever playing down the right hand side. A well-taken header, in the right place at the right time from close range from a corner kick.

Van der Vaart: 7 - Smart passing as usual, not quite as expansive and marked tighter than he was against Italy.

Sneijder: 8.5 - Like Kuyt, worked tremendously hard down his flank, doubling up to assist van Bronckhorst on defensive duty brilliantly. Good pace when breaking forward and scored an absolute beauty in the dying seconds.

Van Nistelrooy: 8 - Moved very freely and held the ball up brilliantly for his side all over the pitch. Did not get into the box as much as he would have liked against a very disciplined French rearguard. Amazingly, he didn't score, but he showed several touches of pure class, including two 360-spins that would have made Cruyff himself proud.

Substitutes

Robben: 8.5 - A magnificent performance off the bench. His devastating pace put the French to the sword and his tight-angle blast gave the Dutch the initiative back after having just conceded.

Van Persie: 8 - Full of energy and was in the right place at the right time to thump home the second goal. An ambitious substitution that paid off.

Bouma: 6.5

Moments of the match

1st goal in on the home 9 th minute: NETHERLANDS 1 FRANCE 0. Dirk Kuyt puts the Dutch ahead with a powerful close range header from a Rafael van der Vaart corner after getting in front of Florent Malouda.

Second Goal in 59 minute : NETHERLANDS 2 FRANCE 0. Substitute Van Persie volleys home Robben's cross from the left with Coupet getting a hand to the ball but failing to stop it rolling over the line.

Third goal in 71 minute: NETHERLANDS 2 FRANCE 1. Henry gets France back in the game with a deft close-range touch past Van der Sar from a cross by Willy Sagnol

Fourth Goal in 2 nd minute: NETHERLANDS 3 FRANCE 1. Robben restores a two-goal lead for the Dutch when he twists and turns in the area before firing a fierce left-foot shot under the bar.

Fifth goal in 90+2 minute :NETHERLANDS 4 FRANCE 1. Sneijder caps a glorious night for the Dutch with a dipping shot from the edge of the area that clips the bar on the way in.


Video Highlights of Holland Vs France in Euro 2008



4:1 Holland vs. Frankreich-EM 2008 - MyVideo

HOLLAND

Van der Sar 8.5 – Had little to do in the first half but proved his worth after the break, with a simply world class stop from Pirlo’s free kick. Also saved a one-on-one from Grosso.

Boulahrouz 7 – Has barely played in two years, but was a big surprise tonight. Coped well with Di Natale’s pace down the Italian left.

Mathijsen 6.5 – Relatively solid at the heart of the Dutch defence. Organised those around him.

Ooijer 6.5 – Most would have tipped him to be crucified by Toni, but the Blackburn veteran coped well with the prolific forward.

Van Bronckhorst 9 – Absolutely outstanding. Completely neutralised Camoranesi defensively, while he headed off the line before providing a superb cross-field pass in the build-up to the second goal. Also scored Holland’s third to crown a superb display. Man-of-the-match.

De Jong 7 – Took charge of the midfield in the first half, and kept his discipline in front of the back four despite heavy second half Italian pressure.

Engelaar 7 – Similar assessment for De Jong. He may not look like a footballer but the Goliath-sized midfielder was a physical presence in the middle-of-the-park.

Sneijder 8 – Outstanding was the Real Madrid man. His shot set-up Van Nistelrooy’s goal, while he scored the brilliant second goal, which at present is the goal of the tournament.

Van der Vaart 8 – Surely set to join a European giant after this performance. Skilful, creative, and a delightful array of passes, including one that put Van Nistelrooy clean through at 2-0.

Kuyt 8 – Battled hard as usual, and had the final assist on both the second and third Dutch goals. A real pain in the backside for any defender.

Van Nistelrooy 7.5 – Terrorised Barzagli and Materazzi. Scored Holland’s opener, although I will leave it up to you to decide if it was offside. Also could have had two others, squandering one-on-one chances.

Substitutes

Van Persie 6 – Looked reasonably sharp on his injury comeback and went close with one effort.

Heitinga 6 – Shored up the defence in the closing stages.

Afellay 6 – Almost grabbed a fourth with a vicious long-range shot.


ITALY

Buffon 6 – Partly to blame for first goal after a poor punch. Made one outstanding save from van Nistelrooy at 0-2. Did not communicate with his defenders as much as he should have.

Panucci 5.5 – Below par. Questionable whether he has the pace to play at right back in an international tournament. Did better when switched to the centre.

Barzagli 4 – Has never impressed without Cannavaro to hold his hand and this was proved tonight after a shocking performance. Certainly not the next in a long-line of great Italian defenders judged on this.

Materazzi 3.5 – Confirmed his dreadful club season with a stinker of a game. Second to every ball, positionally all over the place, and no help at all to Barzagli. If it was up to me, he would never play for Italy again.

Zambrotta 6 – The best of a bad bunch, although improved greatly as the game went on, going on one excellent run in the second half down the left.

Gattuso 6 – Battled as usual in midfield, and slowly took charge as the game wore on, but as proven for Milan this season his levels have quite clearly dropped from the World Cup two years ago.

Pirlo 7 – Unsurprisingly Italy’s best midfielder. Brilliant through-ball to put Grosso through on goal, while he would have scored with a magnificent free-kick, had it not been for Van der Sar’s miraculous save.

Ambrosini 5 – Baffling decision by Donadoni to start him ahead of De Rossi, and he clearly was not in the same league as Sneijder and Van der Vaart. Missed a chance late on.

Camoranesi 4 – Anonymous on the right hand side of the trident. Quite why Donadoni waited until the 75th minute to take him off is another mystery.

Di Natale 6 – Far from Italy’s worst player. Di Natale worked hard, and had a few efforts, including one sweet volley that would have gone in had it not been straight at Van der Sar.

Toni 5 – Another disappointment. Looked strangely tired after a long campaign. Missed one glorious one-on-one opportunity.

Substitutes

Grosso 8 – Donadoni's worst decision was not starting Grosso, who caused havoc down the left after coming on. Could and should have scored when alone with Van der Sar.

Del Piero 7 – Excellent after coming on. Looked really sharp, was inventive, and had two fine efforts at goal. Must start the next game.

Cassano 7 – Scandalously only offered 15 minutes at the end, but did more with virtually his first touch of the ball than Camoranesi did for 75 minutes before him. A magnificent chipped pass to put Toni through. Also must start along with Del Piero against Romania.

Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder believes Italy are 'terrified' of facing the Oranje in their opening Group C game at Euro 2008 on Monday.

The 23-year-old insists his side are feeling no fear ahead of the European Championships, and have no reason to be scared of world champions Italy or the other much-fancied team in Group C, France.


'We can have them,' he told Sportweek magazine. 'We must not make the opponent too big.

'That is a Dutch thing. Look at the Italians, they are also afraid of us, be sure of that. They are terrified.

'The same goes for the French. I know for sure that they need to be prepared.'

The Real Madrid man also believes that the tournament's games are likely to be very close and may even be decided by luck.

'The differences are really small,' he said. 'Many duels are decided on minor details, sometimes even only with a lot of luck.

'You see that in the Champions League too. I think the top countries are very close. Everyone is tactical, technical and physically strong. We are one of the better teams, so we do have a chance.'

HOENDERLOO, - Robin van Persie has asked Holland coach Marco van Basten for an extra practice match as the Dutch continue their preparations for Euro 2008.

The Arsenal striker played only 13 games last season because of a thigh injury and missed all three Holland friendlies in the build-up to the tournament which starts on June 9 for the Oranje with a meeting with Italy.


'I have asked the coach for an extra warm-up match,' Van Persie told Voetbal International. 'If needed, in the form of a game during training.

'But an extra match against a team that is in the neighbourhood is also okay with me.

'It would be ideal for me if it can be done, but I do understand that the coach needs to think about the other players too.

'It must fit into the total picture, of course.

Dirk Kuyt has revealed his shock at losing Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel from Holland's Euro 2008 squad.

And the Anfield striker relived the moment when teenager Babel knew his dreams of playing in the finals were over.

Babel tore ankle ligaments in training with Holland on Saturday, and boss Marco van Basten believes he will be out for 'five to seven weeks'.

Kuyt, speaking after playing for Holland against Wales in Rotterdam yesterday, said: 'It is a terrible blow for Ryan, and a real shock for all of us.

'The feeling in the camp was that it was quite a bad injury. And it happened without any contact with anyone else, he went down in training as he was running.

'He switched from left to right with the ball and his leg just buckled under him. There was a loud noise, we felt at first it might have been broken, everyone heard it.

'It is really sad for him and hopefully he will recover as quick as possible to be back at Liverpool next season from the start.

'He is young, and there will be other tournaments. But that is not the way to think, you want to be playing in every big tournament you can during your career.'

If Babel cannot start running again for seven weeks, he will miss the bulk of Liverpool's pre-season training camp in Switzerland next month.

That would mean he would be playing catch-up with his fitness levels and is unlikely to be ready for the Barclays Premier League opener on August 9.

Problems over his availability have not been helped by suggestions in Holland he could figure in the Olympics, which start on August 6.

Holland's Olympic coach Foppe de Haan said: 'If Ryan is fit, he will be at the top of our list for the Olympics. With his qualities, Ryan is a vital player for our plans.'

Liverpool, who could not stop Babel going to the Olympics if selected, would certainly have something to say about his fitness as he recovers from such a bad injury.

Kuyt certainly does not expect his club and country colleague to make a rapid recovery.

He said: 'I feel very sorry for what has happened to Ryan. He has trained really well and looked very good as the tournament approached.

'It is very disappointing for us, and obviously for him, that he is out. It is a big tournament, and he would have been very important for us.

'And, of course, also at Liverpool. Hopefully he will be fit for the beginning of the season, but we will have to wait and see about that.

'All I can say is that I want him to be back as quick as possible. I have left a message on his phone wishing him well, he was clearly very upset about what had happened.

'I just told him how sorry I was that he was missing the European finals and to get himself back as quick as he could.'

Kuyt believes Babel would have been a key part of Holland's tactics, in a similar way to how Anfield boss Rafael Benitez used him last term.

He said: 'He has shown how important he was for Liverpool, coming on so often as substitute and scoring really important goals.

'Maybe Holland would have used him in the same way. He did so well during the Champions League for us, it was obvious what he could give to a team.

'Maybe for now he is a 'shock' from the bench. But he has improved over the season and now he is very important for Liverpool and Holland.

'Ryan has a great future for himself in the game, people have seen how much he has improved this season and soon he will be playing a key role for his club and country from the start of games.

'Hopefully, he will be back really soon because he is only going to get better and better.'

Kuyt, who scored in Holland's win a week ago against Ukraine but has been used as a substitute against Denmark and Wales since, is pleased with his own contribution so far, ahead of Holland's opener against Italy in Berne next Monday.

He said: 'We have had two very tough weeks, training twice a day, and playing three difficult friendly games.

'We wanted to score more against Wales, but they made it hard for us. We had also drawn with Denmark, but maybe we are saving the goals for the finals. We missed some, but we created a lot of chances and we have quality players who will score goals in that situation.

'Whether I start the first match against Italy, we will see, after being only a substitute against Wales. But I have been pleased with my performances, I tried to do my best and I have been happy.

'But we have some very strong players up front: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie, so it will be tough to get myself past them. But I will try my best.