Buitenlandse Reacties op Ned. winst

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Op donderdag 24 juni 2004 00:22 schreef Compile het volgende:

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[offtopic]
Waarzo vind je die vertaalmachine op t net?
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Tsjechië B loodst Oranje naar kwartfinale tegen Zweden
DUITSLAND - TSJECHIË 1-2


LISSABON - Voetbal is een eenvoudig spel en na 90 minuten verliest Duitsland. De vice-weltmeister en drievoudige Europese kampioen werd gisteravond in Alvalade te kijk gezet door de Tsjechische tweede keuze. Net als in de Lage Landen werd het een vroegtijdige aftocht voor de Mannschaft. Dat betekent dat Nederland, dat zonder veel moeite Letland opzij zette, zaterdag in Faro de kwartfinale speelt tegen Zweden.



TSJECHIË speelde met twee spelers (aanvoerder Galasek en Jiranek) die er tegen Nederland ook bij waren. De naam B-team is dan ook niet overdreven, al is Bolf ook een basisspeler. Nederland had nogal wat begrip voor de beslissing van Karel Brückner. ,,Wij zouden wellicht hetzelfde gedaan heb'', zei Dick Advocaat.

Zo normaal is die keuze echter niet. Ruim 50.000 mensen kochten een kaartje en de vele miljoenen thuis hebben op deze scène eveneens recht op het allerbeste. Bovendien is het natuurlijk je reinste competitievervalsing.

De Tsjechen zullen beweren dat het allemaal internationals zijn, maar je zal Brückner horen te keer gaan als hij een volgende keer drie basisspelers moet missen. Het risico op blessures en gele kaarten werd in afwachting van de kwartfinale tegen Denemarken uitgesloten, maar de toekomst zal uitwijzen of dit de juiste keuze is. Spelers kunnen ook op training uitvallen en misschien is het beter een ploeg die in zijn ritme is gewoon te laten spelen.

Of dacht Brückner echt dat zijn tweede garnituur de Duitsers de loef kon afsteken? Tsjechië B was in ieder geval de betere ploeg en de Mannschaft hobbelde hulpeloos achter de bal aan. Rudi Völler opteerde in de beslissende partij van de Mannschaft, naar het voorbeeld van zoveel teams, voor een stoot jeugdige adrenaline. De 19-jarige Bastian Schweinsteiger, die al indruk had gemaakt met Bayern in de Champions League-wedstrijd op Anderlecht, verscheen voor de eerste keer aan de aftrap op dit EK. De Duitsers speelden daardoor wel met twee rechtsbenige flanken.

Na balverlies van Plasil maakte Schweinsteiger de bal panklaar voor Ballack, die fraai binnenschoot. Duitsland leek het toch weer te gaan redden, maar het doelpunt leidde niet tot een groter vertrouwen en nog minder tot beter voetbal. Marek Heinz was de beste man op het veld en zorgde voor sensatie door een vrije trap prinsheerlijk in de kruishoek van Kahn te krullen. De man van Banik Ostrava mag op een West-Europese topper hopen, ook al mislukte hij eerder bij Hamburg. Hij viel op dit EK al twee keer sterk in en scoorde ook tegen Letland.

De Duitsers wisten zich nu helemaal geen raad meer met de bal en schoven hem door als een hete kroket. Nowotny probeerde al schoffelend zijn ploegmaats te reanimeren. Lokvenc, een mindere kloon van Koller, benadrukte op slag van rust het Tsjechische overwicht met een afstandsschot. De Duitse supporters eisten met Lucas Podolski (19) nog meer jong bloed en werden door ,,der Rudi'' op hun wenken bediend.

Zijn collega Brückner was van oordeel dat zijn ploeg nog te sterk was en wisselde aanvoerder Galasek voor Hubschmann. De tiende invaller bezorgde Lokvenc nog de kans om dat te bewijzen ook, maar hij strandde op Kahn.

De Tsjechen werden stilaan massaal ingedrukt. Ballack trof de paal en Schneider schoot de nabeurt tegen doelman Blazek aan. Brückner probeerde met het inbrengen van de vaste waarden Barros en Poborsky de partij terug in handen te krijgen. Vergeefs. Hubschmann redde op de doellijn.

Eén Tsjechische counter werd Duitsland fataal. Milan Barros vloerde Oliver Kahn in twee tijden. De Mannschaft had wat pech, maar wat een blamage was deze nederlaag tegen een reservenelftal. Duitsland is ,,kaputt''. Na Trapattoni mag ook Rudi Völler naar het stempellokaal. Straks wordt Dick Advocaat nog de held van Euro 2004.

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Instead the Holland, that beats 3-0 the Latvia with a shotgun of Van Nistelrooy and a net of Makaay...

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In plaats van de Holland slaat dat 3-0 het Letland met een geweer van Busje Nistelrooy en een net van Makaay....

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De Duitsers wisten zich nu helemaal geen raad meer met de bal en schoven hem door als een hete kroket

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Straks wordt Dick Advocaat nog de held van Euro 2004.

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De Duitsers wisten zich nu helemaal geen raad meer met de bal en schoven hem door als een hete kroket. Nowotny probeerde al schoffelend zijn ploegmaats te reanimeren. Lokvenc, een mindere kloon van Koller , benadrukte op slag van rust het Tsjechische overwicht.....
Zijn collega Brückner was van oordeel dat zijn ploeg nog te sterk was en wisselde aanvoerder Galasek voor Hubschmann

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Op donderdag 24 juni 2004 00:34 schreef Johnny_Footballhero het volgende:
OMFG

Ik lag in een deuk om deze vertaling:
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Wordt zo vertaald:
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3:0 gegen Lettland
Holland lacht uns aus

So macht man das, Deutschland! Wir konnten die Letten nicht plätten. Holland aber drehte den Außenseiter durch die Mangel. 3:0 wurde Lettland weggebügelt.
Holland steht im Viertelfinale. Und lacht uns aus. Immer wieder sangen die Fans: „Schade, Deutschland, alles ist vorbei!“ Holland jetzt gegen Schweden im Viertelfinale.

Hohn und Spott. Dabei hatte unser Nachbar doch vor dem Anpfiff so viele Sorgen. Alle fragten sich: Was macht Dick Advocaat diesmal alles falsch?

Der Oranje-Trainer stand in der Kritik – weil er immer wieder wirr gewechselt hatte. Auch diesmal baute er um, brachte Abwehr-Opa De Boer (34) und Reiziger.

25 000 Zuschauer in der Fels-Arena in Braga. Die Letten gleich mit dem Rücken zur (Fels)- Wand. Nach 28 Sekunden jagt Seedorf einen Schuss übers Tor.

Der Druck wächst. Beim 1. Mal scheitert van Nistelrooy. noch (13.). Dann aber schlägt er doppelt zu.
Nach Attacke von Astafjevs an Davids gibt Schiri Nielsen (Dänemark) Strafstoß – klare Fehlentscheidung. van Nistelrooy trifft zum 1:0 (27.). Schönen Dank, Herr Nielsen!

Die Freude noch verhalten. Plötzlich aber bricht der Jubel aus und die Oranje-Welle schwappt los. 1:1 in Lissabon – jetzt steht Holland im Viertelfinale.

Dann wieder van Nistelrooy. Nach Cocu-Vorlage nickt der ManU-Star zum 2:0 ein (35.). Sein 4. EM-Treffer.

Und die Letten? Nicht mehr zu retten. Zu einfallslos, zu kraftlos. Lag wohl daran, dass sie erst nachmittags per Bus angereist waren.

Holland hat alles im Griff. Da darf auch Makaay mal. Der Bayern-Stürmer kommt in der 70. Minute zu seinem EM-Debüt, macht gleich sein 1. Tor (84.).

Und die Fans singen die ganze nacht: „Schade, Deutschland, alles ist vorbei!“ Oh, wie ist das bitter...

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Op woensdag 23 juni 2004 23:42 schreef BOKA het volgende:
Rudi Voller ist seropositiv, seropisitiv..

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Op donderdag 24 juni 2004 00:34 schreef Johnny_Footballhero het volgende:
OMFG

Ik lag in een deuk om deze vertaling:
[..]

Wordt zo vertaald:
[..]

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Three-time European champions Germany slipped out of Euro 2004 after a 2-1 defeat by a second-string Czech Republic, which had already qualified for the quarterfinals, gave the Netherlands the runners-up spot in Group D after a 3-0 win over Latvia.




Despite a fierce second-half onslaught, Germany could not subdue a Czech side showing nine changes from the team that secured its place in the last eight as group winners with a 3-2 victory over Holland last weekend.

Germany led briefly through a stunning Michael Ballack goal in the 21st minute but the advantage held for only nine minutes as Marek Heinz equalized with an equally superb strike on the half hour.

With the Germans pushing for the winner, Czech substitute Milan Baros scored on the break 12 minutes from time to make it three wins out of three - the only unblemished record in the tournament.

It was a disappointing display by the 2002 World Cup runners-up, who failed to show the necessary urgency against a Czech team that was able to relax and enjoy the occasion. Germany follows Italy and Spain as big-name casualties of a tournament that has already lived up to its billing as one of the most open for years.

The Czechs, who had already won the group, can turn their attentions to a quarterfinal meeting with Denmark, while Holland faces off against Sweden.

Germany's coach Rudi Voeller reacted to the lame goalless draw with Latvia by giving a first start to midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and, after a cagey opening, the 19-year-old played a major part in the first goal.

Bernd Schneider whipped in a cross from the left, Schweinsteiger knocked it down into the path of Ballack and the midfielder struck a fierce 20-meter shot past the helpless Jaromir Blazek.

The Czechs, each man playing for a place on the quarterfinal team, deservedly equalized on the half-hour mark when Heinz left Oliver Kahn flailing with a perfectly placed 25-meter free kick into the top corner.

Voeller sent on Lukas Podolski to bolster his attack at halftime and Germany soon took control with an inspired Ballack driving them on. Around the hour mark he fizzed a low shot just wide, then sent another against the post, Blazek saving Schneider's follow-up. Germany continued to exert pressure, Schneider heading wide, Christian Woerns having an effort cleared off the line and Blazek again defying Kevin Kuranyi.

But just as the equalizer looked inevitable, the Czechs broke and Baros tucked the ball past Kahn at the second attempt in the 78th minute. The victory was revenge of sorts for the Czech Republic, beaten by Germany with a golden goal in the final of Euro `96. It is also a repeat of four years ago, when Germany needed to beat already-qualified Portugal to reach the last eight but lost 3-0.

In Braga, Ruud van Nistelrooy struck twice to lead the Netherlands to an emphatic 3-0 win over Latvia. Van Nistelrooy enabled the Dutch to take complete control of the match with two first-half goals, and substitute Roy Makaay added a third six minutes from time.

Van Nistelrooy broke the deadlock after 27 minutes when he sent goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko the wrong way from the penalty spot after referee Kim Milton Nielsen decided Latvian skipper Vitalijs Astafjevs had tripped Edgar Davids in the box.

The Manchester United striker made it 2-0 after 35 minutes when a Clarence Seedorf free kick eluded the keeper and was headed back from beyond the far post by Philip Cocu for the forward to nod down over the line from close range. He joined England's Wayne Rooney at the top of the tournament's scoring chart with four goals.

Van Nistelrooy should have completed his hat-trick after 41 minutes when he blasted a fierce volley straight at Kolinko when it seemed a goal was certain.

Cocu had the ball in the back of the net in the 72nd minute, but referee Nielsen ruled that an infringement had earlier taken place. Arjen Robben then created his side's third six minutes from the end when he dribbled his way past two defenders and played the ball to Roy Makaay, who had no troubles in beating Kolinko.

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Dutch delight in shoot-out

by Mark Chaplin from Estádio Algarve

After a dramatic penalty shoot-out, the Netherlands advanced to a UEFA EURO 2004™ semi-final against Portugal following 120 minutes of goalless stalemate in Faro-Loulé.

Robben decisive
A desperately tight, fiercely contested encounter had seen both teams foiled by the woodwork before misses from Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olof Mellberg proved decisive in the shoot-out, with Arjen Robben nervelessly converting the winning spot-kick.

Midfield reshuffle
Sweden made two midfield changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Denmark to qualify for the last eight, Anders Svensson replacing Kim Kallström and Anders Andersson giving way to Tobias Linderoth while Alexander Östlund came in for the suspended Erik Edman in defence. The Netherlands fielded the same team that booked a quarter-final place with a 3-0 success against Latvia.

Robben threat
On a gloriously warm evening in a vibrant atmosphere, both sides took time to settle and the early play was littered with free-kicks. The Dutch began to take the initiative, however, and Robben had the game's first chance after ten minutes, cutting inside before producing a fierce left-foot drive that was pushed aside by Andreas Isaksson.

Dutch pressure
The Sweden goalkeeper was soon in action again to clutch a Clarence Seedorf free-kick as his side were pushed on to the back foot, and Ruud van Nistelrooij then had a shot blocked with the Netherlands looking to take advantage of their greater enterprise in the early stages.

Finely poised
Sweden finally began to relieve the pressure, Henrik Larsson curling a long-range free-kick wide but the game, while interestingly poised, had yet to really catch fire as the half-hour approached, although Michael Reiziger flashed a drive past the post when the Netherlands came forward again.

De Boer cautioned
Frank de Boer received the game's first booking on the half-hour for a clumsy challenge on Fredrik Ljungberg, before Isaksson fisted a rasping Phillip Cocu drive away for a corner at the other end. De Boer was hurt in that tackle and limped off to be replaced by Wilfred Bouma after 36 minutes. The substitute, who came on despite a persistent achilles problem, was quickly into the fray, blocking Anders Svensson's goalbound effort, and the same player then tested Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from 20 metres.

Van Nistelrooij involved
The Dutch forced the early second-half pace, the dangerous Van Nistelrooij troubling the Swedish defence in heading Robben's cross just over the bar and flicking another effort fractionally too high minutes later.

Crucial Cocu
Until now, Larsson and strike partner Ibrahimovic had been largely subdued, but the much-heralded Swedish duo came desperately close to breaking the deadlock after 56 minutes. Larsson headed across goal, Jaap Stam failed to clear and Ibrahimovic poked the ball goalwards, but Cocu was on hand to clear off the line.

Near miss
There were signs that the game was coming to the boil, Van der Sar saving a fierce cross-shot from Mattias Jonson as Sweden enjoyed a promising spell near the hour. Back came the Netherlands, Van Nistelrooij seeing an effort blocked by Isaksson and the ball rebounded off the striker but rolled centimetres wide. Svensson then tested Van der Sar from outside the area as the tempo increased.

Stam shot
Jonson limped off to be replaced by Christian Wilhelmsson after 64 minutes and Stam ventured forward for the next Dutch effort, hammering a long-range effort past the post. The minutes ticked down to extra time, although Ljungberg shot agonisingly wide and the Netherlands were unable to capitalise on a spell of late pressure, Van Nistelrooij heading too high.

Isaksson involved
The Dutch almost struck two minutes into extra time. Isaksson fumbled Robben's long-range strike on to the post, and substitute Roy Makaay failed to take advantage of the rebound from close range. The Swedish goalkeeper then atoned with two wonderful saves from Seedorf.

Gripping finale
Larsson shaved the crossbar at the other end and soon afterwards, Ljungberg hit the post for Sweden in an enthralling climax but it took the drama of a penalty shoot-out to separate the two sides.

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Dutch joy after penalty shoot out
Saturday, June 26, 2004 Posted: 2210 GMT (0610 HKT)

FARO, Portugal -- The Netherlands won a dramatic penalty shoot out against Sweden to earn a Euro 2004 semifinal against the hosts Portugal.

Rising young star Arjen Robben struck the decisive sudden death penalty for the Dutch after Edwin van der Sar had saved Olaf Mellberg's effort with the scores tied at four penalties and one miss apiece.

The match in Faro had ended scoreless after normal and added time. It was the first success for the Dutch in five penalty shootouts.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic also missed for Sweden, while Phillip Cocu hit the post for the Dutch.

Deadlock after two hours of football on a stamina-sapping Algarve night ended in the dreaded but morbidly fascinating spot kicks.

"That is the greatest moment of my life," said Robben, whose performances here have shown how much Manchester United have missed out on after he opted to go to Chelsea instead.

"To score the decisive penalty in such a big tournament is amazing. But I wasn't really afraid indeed I was very confident.

"Finally we have won in a shootout, today we fought to the end with all the team staying positive," he added.

Tepid opening
The opening half proved a largely anaemic affair with both sides keeping a tight rein in midfield and cautious about throwing men forward.

Later hero Robben often provided the spark for the Dutch on both wings and he was the source of the first meaningful goal attempt as he cut in and forced a fine save from Andreas Isaksson on nine minutes.

Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy had a shot blocked as the Dutch pressed, but he cut a sometimes solitary figure in attack.

A long range effort from Cocu troubled Isaksson more than it should as he punched it clear from the edge of his six yard box.

Sweden also offered little in the way of adventure and it was close to halftime before they created a clear cut shooting chance from open play with Anders Svensson's effort blocked.

The Dutch lost captain Frank de Boer through injury after 35 minutes to be replaced by Wilfred Bouma, the defender coming off the worse after a nasty foul on Fredrik Ljungberg that left both men limping.

The second half begun with Robben sending over a dangerous cross that van Nistelrooy headed over and Isaksson later had to be brave to deny the prolific striker with his legs.

Sporadic attacks
Swedish attacks were sporadic but they came close to a breakthrough when Jaap Stam scuffed Henrik Larsson's header and Ibrahimovic saw his snap shot cleared off the line.

Ljungberg also shot neatly on the turn but his effort flew wide of van der Sar's post.

With extra time looming van Nistelrooy again went close with a header from Giovanni van Bronckhurst's fierce cross.

Two minutes into extra time saw the Dutch closer still to making a breakthrough as the impressive Robben shot from 20 meters and Isaksson fumbled. The ball cannoned off the post, just evading substitute striker Roy Makaay.

Isaksson proved more reliable as he parried away Clarence Seedorf's shot and when the ball was played back in van Nistelrooy volleyed over.

Sweden's best moments came near the end of extra time as first Larsson and then Ljungberg struck the crossbar and post in close order, while Aston Villa's Olaf Mellberg headed wide from a corner.

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Holland end Swede dream

Sweden 0-0 Holland (AET)
(Holland go through 5-4 on penalties)
Holland reached the semi-finals with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Sweden.

The inspirational Arjen Robben scored the winning penalty after Edwin van der Sar saved Olof Mellberg's spot-kick.

Swedish keeper Andreas Isaksson had kept his side in the game, though he enjoyed some luck as well, notably when a Robben shot hit the post.

Sweden also hit the woodwork first through a Henrik Larsson volley and then Fredrik Ljungberg's low shot, but Holland were worthy winners.

Initially Holland had concentrated their attacks down the Swedish left, with the Chelsea-bound Robben prominent in the best of those Dutch attacking movements.

As early as the fourth minute Isaksson had to punch clear a Robben cross and soon after the Swedish goalkeeper did well to tip over the bar a shot from the Dutch winger.

long-throw from the Dutch right was then flicked on by Philip Cocu to Ruud van Nistelrooy but his shot was bravely blocked by Mellberg.

Another feature of Holland's attacking play was the way Robben and Holland's other winger Andy van der Meyde frequently swapped flanks.

It was from the left wing that Robben broke inside and linked well with Van Nistelrooy, to set up a shot for Michael Reiziger.

Deprived of possession Sweden were restricted to a couple of tame efforts from free-kicks though just before the interval Mattias Jonson crossed for Anders Svensson, whose goalbound shot was blocked by Wilfred Bouma.

Ten minutes after the interval a Jaap Stam mis-kick landed at the feet of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the Swedish striker's shot was cleared by Cocu.

On 83 minutes Ibrahimovic set up substitute Kim Kallstrom, whose shot was superbly blocked by Johnny Heitinga.

As the game opened up Van Nistelrooy, who was isolated for long periods in the game, began to find more space.

Just past the hour Van Nistelrooy killed Clarence Seedorf's diagonal pass on his chest and the ball went just wide after the Dutch striker's shot rebounded off Isaksson.

In the closing stages of normal time Holland piled on the pressure and Van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay went close.

Holland dominated the first period of extra-time, a Robben effort hitting the post after the swerve of the shot deceived Isaksson.

However the Swedish goalkeeper recovered himself as he dived low to fist away Seedorf's shot.

Isaksson made an even better save from a Seedorf free-kick when he flung himself to his right to get his hand to the ball.

But Sweden also went close, notably when Larsson swivelled and volleyed against the bar and then Ljungberg's low shot rebounded off the post.

Holland had lost penalty shoot-outs in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2000, but after Van der Sar threw himself to save Mellberg's effort, Robben calmly slotted the ball into the corner.

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Schweden – Holland 4:5
Holland besiegt den Elfer-Fluch

Das war Herzkasper-Fußball! Eine packende Verlängerung rettete den müden Kick Schweden – Holland: Latte, Pfosten, kein Tor – Elfmeterschießen!

Da wurde ausgerechnet Schwedens EM-Star Zlatan Ibrahimovic zum ersten Elfer-Versager: Drüber! Doch Cocu traf nur den Pfosten. Van der Sar hielt gegen Mellberg. Jungstar Arjen Robben (20) verwandelte den entscheidenden Elfmeter eiskalt – 5:4, Holland spielt am Mittwoch im Halbfinale gegen Portugal!

Viermal war Holland bei EM und WM im Elferschießen rausgeflogen – jetzt ist der Elferfluch besiegt!

Millionen in Deutschland guckten dieses Spiel mit leichten Magenschmerzen: Das wäre unser Viertelfinale gewesen... Statt Deutschland aber spielte Holland in Faro.
Einziger Deutscher im „Estadio Algarve“ war Markus Merk als vierter Schiedsrichter. Und unter den 25 000 viele Fans unserer Elf, die schon Karten gekauft hatten.

Das dritte Viertelfinale dieser EM: Meilenweit entfernt von der Rasse und Klasse bei England – Portugal. Erst am Schluss wurde es spannend. Beide spielten bei 30 Grad kaum Torchancen heraus.

Die Torjäger van Nistelrooy und Larsson/Ibrahimovic waren gegen beinharte Abwehrreihen kaum zu sehen.
Hollands Mittelfeld-Denker Seedorf und Cocu fanden einfach nicht den „Inbus-Schlüssel“, um die standfesten IKEA-Schränke in der Schweden-Abwehr auseinanderzunehmen.

Van Nistelrooy scheitert frei an Keeper Isaksson, Ljungberg knallt aus der Drehung vorbei (75.). In letzter Sekunde hämmert auch der eingewechselte Roy Makaay volley knapp drüber – Verlängerung...

Jetzt wird’s endlich dramatisch: Robbens Schuss hoppelt an den Pfosten (94.).

Auch Källström verpasst knapp das Silver Goal (105.) – Außennetz! Isaksson kratzt einen Seedorf-Freistoß von der Linie (108.). Larsson aus der Drehung: Latte (113.)! Ljungberg aus 16 Metern – Pfosten (116.)!

Gipfel der Spannung dann die Elfer. Als van der Sar und Robben zu Helden wurden!

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Euro-Robben ends Dutch penalty jinx
Sat 26 June, 2004 22:56

By Mitch Phillips

FARO, Portugal, June 26 (Reuters) - The Netherlands have been losing penalty shootouts for more than half of Arjen Robben's life but the 20-year-old midfielder ended the jinx on Saturday to send his country into the Euro 2004 semi-finals.

When the quarter-final against Sweden ended 0-0 after extra time the Dutch nation could have been forgiven for thinking "oh no, not again" as the teams prepared for a shootout.

After winning the 1988 European Championship their side went out of the next three editions on shoot-outs and also lost the 1998 World Cup semi-final to Brazil in the same way.

They took the early initiative on Saturday when Zlatan Ibrahimovic blazed Sweden's third penalty over the bar.

But the demons came back when Philip Cocu's effort hit the post. Cocu was one of the players who failed in the 1998 World Cup semifinal and he looked devastated as he trudged back to where his team mates stood with linked arms.

It went to sudden death and Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar brilliantly saved from Olof Mellberg. Robben then dispatched his shot into the net to take his country into a semi-final against Portugal on Wednesday with a 5-4 win.

The Dutch fans, so used to heartbreak, exploded with joy - in their last three European championship shoot-outs their team had missed five out of 14 attempts.

"It was the moment of my life in such a big tournament but I was very confident and thought I would score," Robben said.

"It's over now but it was very exciting and now it's one big party," Robben said. "Finally we won a penalty shootout. Today we fought until the end, stayed positive and finally we won."

Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, well aware of the previous problems, had prepared for the moment.

"I think we can do our job in the regular 90 minutes, but if necessary there is list of five players for the shootout," he said before the game.

"The list has existed since the second leg (of the qualifying playoff) against Scotland and we have given some extra attention to penalties."

One person glad not to be on the pitch was captain Frank de Boer who was substituted, injured, in the first half.

He failed with one attempt during normal time and another in the shootout against Italy in the Euro 2000 semi-final defeat.

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"To score the decisive penalty in such a big tournament is amazing. But I wasn't really afraid indeed I was very confident.

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Op zondag 27 juni 2004 01:32 schreef tong80 het volgende:
Staphorst :

Lieve god dank dat het vlak voor middernacht is beslist.