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Jubilant Russia celebrates victory over Dutch
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(reuters.com)
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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia celebrated well into the night
after its team unexpectedly reached the Euro 2008 semi-finals on Saturday
with a thoroughly deserved 3-1 extra-time win over Netherlands.
Thousands of Muscovites poured onto the streets within minutes of the
final whistle in Basel where Russia, coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink,
stunned their fancied opponents with a great display of attacking football.
"We finally did it. Congratulations to everyone," yelled a young
fan, wrapped in the national flag as he walked along the Manezh Square.
Others praised Dutch master Hiddink. "Guus, Guus, Guus", the
fans shouted into the warm night air.
Russia President Dmitry Medvedev also played his part by congratulating
the team on their superb win.
"It was a great game and a great victory," the Kremlin press
office quoted him as saying.
The city centre came to a complete standstill as thousands of jubilant
fans, waving Russian flags and yelling "Rossiya, Rossiya", blocked
traffic along the main roads.
Motorists honked their horns while some climbed on top of their cars and
others set off fireworks.
It is 20 years since Russia, who next play Spain or Italy, last reached
the semi-finals of a major tournament.
In 1988, as part of the Soviet Union, they made the European
Championship final in Germany but lost 2-0 to the Dutch, whose current
coach Marco van Basten was on the scoresheet.
Thousands of riot police were on guard throughout Moscow on Saturday to
keep the celebrations under control but there were no major disturbances
or serious injuries reported.
uk.reuters.com,
Jun 22, 2008
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