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Classy Russia leave Oranje crushed
by Paul Saffer from St. Jakob-Park
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Konstantin Zyryanov and Wesley Sneijder contest
a high ball (¿Getty Images)
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Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin struck in the last
eight minutes of extra time to take Russia into the UEFA EURO 2008T semi-finals
at the expense of the Netherlands as Guus Hiddink eliminated the nation
of his birth.
Russia dominance
From the off, Russia never allowed Marco van Basten's previously imperious
side space and they attacked with vigour. Roman Pavlyuchenko's 56th-minute
volley seemed to have won the game but with four minutes remaining Ruud
van Nistelrooy headed an equaliser. However, Russia dominated the additional
half-hour and the tireless Arshavin set up substitute Torbinski to restore
the advantage from close range in the 112th minute. The No10 added another
himself to book a semi-final against Spain or Italy in Vienna on Thursday,
although Torbinski and Denis Kolodin will miss that match through suspension.
Robben ruled out
Having rested most of his first-choice lineup in Tuesday's win against
Romania, Van Basten returned to the selection that started the impressive
defeats of Italy and France, Arjen Robben's hopes scuppered by continuing
groin problems. It was Russia, beginning as positively as Hiddink had
promised, who had the first chance when Yuri Zhirkov's free-kick forced
Edwin van der Sar into a diving save and Igor Semshov then crossed from
the right for Pavlyuchenko to head over. Russia's outnumbered fans made
most of the early noise as the Netherlands took time to get to grips with
their opponents' pressing game, although Van Nistelrooy did nearly get
a decisive touch on Rafael van der Vaart's free-kick.
Kolodin denied
Suddenly the Netherlands started to produce the flowing football that
lit up their group games in Berne, and their supporters responded accordingly.
But if many Dutch players were fresh after sitting out the Romania match,
Arshavin was also relatively rested having been suspended for the first
two games and from a solo run he forced Van der Sar to save. The goalkeeper
then tipped over Kolodin's ferocious shot before the Netherlands attacked
again at the other end as Khalid Boulahrouz, whose late baby daughter
was remembered by his team-mates' black armbands, sent Van Nistelrooy
through for an effort that Igor Akinfeev blocked.
Pavlyuchenko finish
Russia looked sharper as the second half got under way, Arshavin nearly
scoring with a swerving free-kick, and a minute later Sergei Semak sent
in a cross from the left that Pavlyuchenko gleefully turned in. Russia
were allowing the Netherlands little of the ball and attacking at pace,
Van der Sar using instinct and one hand to keep out an Aleksandr Anyukov
strike. The goalkeeper also saved when Pavlyuchenko was put through while
Torbinski was unfortunate not to turn the ball in soon after. It seemed
the Oranje's campaign was over but with four minutes left Wesley Sneijder
curled in a free-kick for Van Nistelrooy to head in and force an extra
half-hour.
Extra-time decisive
However Russia were unbowed, Semshov forcing a diving stop from Van der
Sar while Arshavin blazed over and Pavlyuchenko's dipping shot was only
kept out by the crossbar. Arshavin then burst through and crossed for
Torbinski, only for Van der Sar to block again. The second extra period
continued in the same vein, Pavlyuchenko just failing to turn in Arshavin's
cross but finally the breakthrough came when the FC Zenit St. Petersburg
playmaker delivered another looping centre for Torbinski to volley in.
Four minutes later Arshavin sealed a semi-final place with the goal his
play deserved as his shot deflected in off John Heitinga, confirming that
the Netherlands would follow fellow group winners Portugal and Croatia
home.
Euro2008.com,
22 June 2008
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