Euro 2008 : Russia outclass Holland

The third quarter final match between Netherlands and Russia, was the most thrilling of the knockout matches. I hadnt seen Russia's game so keenly in the group matches and was happy to see them giving a good fight to the Netherlands. 

Holland started slow in the first half of the match. Russians were a pumped up lot and looked more energetic. Netherlands were quick movers in all their group matches, but the Russians proved to be even faster. The attacks from both the sides produced some great quality football. 

For the first time in this tournament, Netherlands conceded a goal before scoring one themselves !!! From then on, they were in catch up mode. Probably, this was the only match they were in pressure to score a goal, not to seal a victory, but to equalize. The quick Russians stretched the Dutch, and created lovely spaces to score goals.

The Dutch hero, Van Nistelrooy scored a goal in the 86th minute to give Holland some hope. In the extra time, Russians seem to be even more pumped up. Or may be, the Dutch got lethargic. Whatever the reason, Russians were the first to score in extra time as well. And, then came the last nail in the coffin, with the hero of the match, Arshavin scoring the thrid goal for Russia. It was game, set and match for Russians. The Dutch fans were simply stunned.

With this match, we have all the 3 top leading teams in the 3 groups, knocked out of the semis. Will Italy follow suit ? Are the Russians peaking at the right time ? Or is it the Turks ? I was hoping for a Portugal and Holland show down for the finals. And here we have both of them knocked out in the quarter finals itself !!! This tournament always has a thing for springing in more and more surprises. It was the unknown team of Greece that stunned the football fraternity in Europe in 2004.  Are we in for a Turkey Russia final then ?