watch euro 2008 16th match Greece vs Russia live telecast

On another glorious night at UEFA EURO 2008™, the Netherlands ensured their passage through to the quarter-finals as winners of Group C with a performance of ruthless efficiency in front of goal.

Déjà vu
It was a case of déjà vu as Marco van Basten's dynamic team did to France what they had done to Italy four days previously, following up their 3-0 victory over the Azzurri with a 4-1 demolition of Les Bleus. Although the two teams registered the same number of shots on target – nine – it was the remarkable finishing prowess of the Dutch that made all the difference.


Euro 2008 - Greece vs Russia 2:45PM EST 6/14

Euro 2008 - Greece vs Russia 2:45PM EST 6/14



Euro 2008 - Greece vs Russia 2:45PM EST 6/14

watch euro 2008 16th match Greece vs Russia live telecast,watch euro 2008 live,watch euro cup finals

On another glorious night at UEFA EURO 2008™, the Netherlands ensured their passage through to the quarter-finals as winners of Group C with a performance of ruthless efficiency in front of goal.

Déjà vu
It was a case of déjà vu as Marco van Basten's dynamic team did to France what they had done to Italy four days previously, following up their 3-0 victory over the Azzurri with a 4-1 demolition of Les Bleus. Although the two teams registered the same number of shots on target – nine – it was the remarkable finishing prowess of the Dutch that made all the difference.

Roving Ribéry
Not surprisingly, Van Basten made no changes to his starting XI whereas France coach Raymond Domenech's reaction to the tepid 0-0 draw against Romania was to rearrange his forward line. He removed Nicolas Anelka and Karim Benzema, gave Franck Ribéry a roving central role and introduced Thierry Henry and Sidney Govou, the latter in Ribéry’s previous role on the right.

Dominant Dutch
The Dutch started as they meant to go on with an early goal, scored by Dirk Kuyt, from the only corner they won in the first half. France were unable to respond in kind largely because the Oranje kept the ball. Their midfielders seldom ceded possession cheaply – demonstrated by Nigel de Jong's immaculate figures of 21 passes completed from 21 attempted and a 60/40 possession advantage in the first half. It was only after 30 minutes that France began to threaten, chiefly through Ribéry, who created problems with his movement and runs and could have levelled the score with three shots in as many minutes, one demanding a fine save by Edwin van der Sar.

Effective substitution
Netherlands midfielder Orlando Engelaar was replaced at half-time by Arjen Robben. It seemed illogical, at 1-0 up, to replace a defensively-minded player with an out-and-out attacker, but after France had missed a string of chances, Van Basten's change proved a masterstroke. The Real Madrid CF winger launched a characteristic raid down the left following neat footwork by Ruud van Nistelrooy and delivered the perfect cross for Robin van Persie, another audacious substitute, to make it 2-0.

Sneijder statistic
The contest appeared regenerated when Henry made it 2-1, but within a minute the Dutch displayed once again their deadly scoring touch, Robben's brilliant left-footed finish from a tight angle restoring their two-goal cushion. The subsequent introduction of defender Wilfred Bouma for Rafael van der Vaart indicated a more cautious approach but still the exuberant orange shirts flooded forward and in the final action of the game Wesley Sneijder – whose terrific 88 per cent passing accuracy had much to do with his Carlsberg Man of the Match award – rounded the night off with another high-calibre finish.