HOLLAND 1 vs 1 RUSSIA
(1 - 3 aet)
Holland: van Nistelrooy 86
Russia: Pavlyuchenko 56, Torbinski 112 ex, Arshavin 116 ex
Entertainment value: 4/5
***
0 for 3 for my predictions, the Akim curse struck again, yet another table topper knocked out and reverse psychology is working just as I planned. Lolz, of course I did not foresee all this. All 3 teams that have lost in the q-finals were the teams of the moment, the teams in excellent form, the teams favourites to be Euro 08 champions after showing what they can do during the group stages. Holland's defeat, albeit during extra time, must surely rank as the biggest upset so far among the 3 teams.
Last night, Russia claimed the biggest scalp of their footballing history after this extra-time win. That was not supposed to be the script but hey, I did mention that Russia in Guus Hiddink has the best tactician among the competing teams before the tourney started. The script was a battle of David vs Goliath but Russia were anything but David.
I had said that they have the best tactician but the players run the show, and how well they run it. Russia as mentioned before is a good team but Holland is clearly better, yet when push comes to shove, Russia were not cowed at all by the Dutch. For the first half, Russia were camped in the Dutch half and creating most of the best chances between the two. Holland were struggling to string a trio of passes at a time as Russia defended well and passing the ball better.
This was uncharacteristic Holland but van Der Sar single-handedly kept the Dutch in the game with some fine saves. Still he was undone in the end by his team-mates and fail to prolong his international farewell by at least another match.
van Persie came on for the ineffective Kuyt at half time and Heitinga later came on for Bouhlarouz, whose premature born daughter had recently passed away, thus the black armbands on the Dutch sleeves. Credit to the man for still playing in spite of the circumstances.
When Pavlyuchenko scored his 3rd tournament goal for Russia on 56th minute, it was for a deserved lead. Russia were still playing the better football. Holland were simply awful and Sneijder did not live up to the best player tag so far failing to inspire the Dutch when they needed it.
It was of concern therefore when the Dutch made their last substitution on the hour mark when they were only a goal down. There is still 30 minutes left, surely the switch could have been made later.
The remaining half hour then slowed to a trot looking like a training match. Just as Russia looked to have secured a top 4 spot, Ruud van Nistelrooy got his 2nd goal of the campaign just before normal time, to cause turmoil to the result.
Lubos Michel the referee then provided a little intrigue when he rescinded a 2nd yellow card to Russia's Kolodin after consultation with the assistant referee. Brave man, and perhaps a wise decision.
In extra time, as tired legs trudged heavily on the field, Russia scored two late goals to avoid a penalty shoot-out and overcoming the Dutch, though there was nothing much to overcome really. Holland was a big letdown, failing to find the brilliant form that they have shown throughout. The best chance to win a major trophy after 20 years has never looked so so bright like the orange shirts they wore but the chance has now come and gone.
Russia will now face Italy in the other semi-final. Okay, after Italy defeats Spain tonight.
***
akim the Italian fan
(1 - 3 aet)
Holland: van Nistelrooy 86
Russia: Pavlyuchenko 56, Torbinski 112 ex, Arshavin 116 ex
Entertainment value: 4/5
***
0 for 3 for my predictions, the Akim curse struck again, yet another table topper knocked out and reverse psychology is working just as I planned. Lolz, of course I did not foresee all this. All 3 teams that have lost in the q-finals were the teams of the moment, the teams in excellent form, the teams favourites to be Euro 08 champions after showing what they can do during the group stages. Holland's defeat, albeit during extra time, must surely rank as the biggest upset so far among the 3 teams.
Last night, Russia claimed the biggest scalp of their footballing history after this extra-time win. That was not supposed to be the script but hey, I did mention that Russia in Guus Hiddink has the best tactician among the competing teams before the tourney started. The script was a battle of David vs Goliath but Russia were anything but David.
I had said that they have the best tactician but the players run the show, and how well they run it. Russia as mentioned before is a good team but Holland is clearly better, yet when push comes to shove, Russia were not cowed at all by the Dutch. For the first half, Russia were camped in the Dutch half and creating most of the best chances between the two. Holland were struggling to string a trio of passes at a time as Russia defended well and passing the ball better.
This was uncharacteristic Holland but van Der Sar single-handedly kept the Dutch in the game with some fine saves. Still he was undone in the end by his team-mates and fail to prolong his international farewell by at least another match.
van Persie came on for the ineffective Kuyt at half time and Heitinga later came on for Bouhlarouz, whose premature born daughter had recently passed away, thus the black armbands on the Dutch sleeves. Credit to the man for still playing in spite of the circumstances.
When Pavlyuchenko scored his 3rd tournament goal for Russia on 56th minute, it was for a deserved lead. Russia were still playing the better football. Holland were simply awful and Sneijder did not live up to the best player tag so far failing to inspire the Dutch when they needed it.
It was of concern therefore when the Dutch made their last substitution on the hour mark when they were only a goal down. There is still 30 minutes left, surely the switch could have been made later.
The remaining half hour then slowed to a trot looking like a training match. Just as Russia looked to have secured a top 4 spot, Ruud van Nistelrooy got his 2nd goal of the campaign just before normal time, to cause turmoil to the result.
Lubos Michel the referee then provided a little intrigue when he rescinded a 2nd yellow card to Russia's Kolodin after consultation with the assistant referee. Brave man, and perhaps a wise decision.
In extra time, as tired legs trudged heavily on the field, Russia scored two late goals to avoid a penalty shoot-out and overcoming the Dutch, though there was nothing much to overcome really. Holland was a big letdown, failing to find the brilliant form that they have shown throughout. The best chance to win a major trophy after 20 years has never looked so so bright like the orange shirts they wore but the chance has now come and gone.
Russia will now face Italy in the other semi-final. Okay, after Italy defeats Spain tonight.
***
akim the Italian fan