Netherlands 1-3 Russia

The Russians start as underdogs but have already shown in the tournament that they are a team to be reckoned with
Van der Sar also produces a fine save to deny Andrei Arshavin as the Russians continue to dominate
Russia go ahead when Pavlyuchenko gets in front of Joris Mathijsen to nudge home Sergei Semak's 56th-minute cross
And Russia are left to rue those misses when Van Nistelrooy stoops to head in an equaliser with four minutes of normal time remaining
But there is no escape for the Dutch when Arshavin crosses from the left for Dmitri Torbinski to put Russia back in front

Netherlands 1-3 Russia

Russia's Andrei Arshavin was the architect as they dumped Netherlands out of Euro 2008 after extra time.

Russia took the lead in normal time when Roman Pavlyuchenko volleyed home, only for Ruud van Nistelrooy to head in an 86th-minute leveller for the Dutch.

But the brilliant Arshavin tormented Netherlands throughout and he crossed for Dmitri Torbinski to prod home.

Arshavin then sealed a semi-final spot in the 116th minute as he ran through and fired low past Edwin van der Sar.

Russia almost had to play with 10 men in extra time after Denis Kolodin was sent off by Lubos Michel in stoppage time, only for the referee to reverse his decision after a chat with one of his assistants.

It was the first European Championship quarter-final that did not have to be decided by penalties after going into extra time and was just reward for another spellbinding performance from the young Russians and their destroyer-in-chief Arshavin.

The 27-year-old, who missed Russia's first two Euro 2008 games through suspension, was in electric form and as Netherlands tired in the extra period, they could not get near him.

It was a triumph too for Russia's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink and his side will now meet either Spain or Italy in Vienna on Thursday in the semi-finals.

From the start Russia settled better than their more-fancied opponents as the Dutch struggled to match the fluidity of their earlier Euro 2008 performances.

Hiddink's men found joy down the flanks, exposing full-backs Gio van Bronckhorst and Khalid Boulahrouz, with one fine cross headed over from eight yards by Pavlyuchenko.

Hiddink 'so proud' of Russia victory

After Van Nistelrooy somehow missed the ball completely three yards out from a free-kick, Russia really began to assert their authority.

The untouchable Arshavin danced past Andre Ooijer inside the Dutch box and curled a right-foot shot goalwards that Van der Sar had to tip away for a corner.

Twice in two minutes, Denis Kolodin hit right-foot piledrivers from 35 yards, the first forcing Van der Sar to tip over and the second flying inches over the bar.

Dutch coach Marco van Basten withdrew the ineffective Dirk Kuyt at the break for Robin van Persie to bolster their attacking threat and almost immediately he screwed a volley wide, before Russia took the lead.

Arshavin cleverly played in Sergei Semak down the left and his cross was expertly dispatched into the net by Pavlyuchenko.

Van der Sar admits Russia deserved win

It was the first time the Netherlands had been behind at Euro 2008 and as they began to pour forward in greater numbers, the Russians - matching the counter-attacking brilliance of their opponents from earlier in the tournament - began to pick them off.

A glorious move led to right-back Alexander Anyukov forcing Van der Sar to parry his shot and then Arshavin scampered away down the left and sent in a devilish cross that just evaded Ivan Saenko.

The Netherlands were pressing but were frustrated by a lack of quality, until with four minutes left they somehow hauled themselves level, Van Nistelrooy netting a poacher's classic by heading in Wesley Sneijder's free-kick.

As the clock ticked into injury time, Russia defender Kolodin was given an almighty repreive by referee Michel.

Booked for the second time and then sent off for a foul on Sneijder, one of Michel's assistants told him - perhaps wrongly - the Real Madrid midfielder had not kept the ball in play, so Kolodin was allowed to stay on the pitch.

Ruud van Nistelrooy (right) heads in Netherlands' late equaliser
Ruud van Nistelrooy (right) heads in Netherlands' late equaliser
If Russia were distraught at Van Nistelrooy's late intervention they did not show it as they proceeded to dictate play in extra time.

Pavlyuchenko cannoned a shot against the crossbar and Arshavin weaved his magic way around two more tackles only for substitute Torbinski to shoot at Van der Sar.

They were denied a clear penalty when Yuri Zhirkov was fouled in the box by Johnny Heitinga but soon after Arshavin danced down the left, flighted a tantalising cross over Van der Sar and watched as Torbinski poked in.

Arshavin got the goal his sumptuous display deserved when he wrapped it up four minutes from time, latching on to a throw-in and firing past Van der Sar.

Holland: Van der Sar, Boulahrouz (Heitinga 54), Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, De Jong, Engelaar (Afellay 61), Kuyt (Van Persie 46), Van der Vaart, Sneijder, van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Timmer, Stekelenburg, De Zeeuw, Robben, Melchiot, Bouma, De Cler, Huntelaar, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Booked: Boulahrouz, Van Persie, Van der Vaart.

Goals: Van Nistelrooy 86.

Russia: Akinfeev, Aniukov, Ignashevich, Kolodin, Zhirkov, Semak, Zyryanov, Semshov (Bilyaletdinov 69), Saenko (Torbinsky 81), Arshavin, Pavluchenko (Sychev 115).
Subs Not Used: Gabulov, Malafeev, Vasili Berezutsky, Yanbaev, Alexei Berezutsky, Adamov, Ivanov, Shirokov, Bystrov.

Booked: Kolodin, Zhirkov, Torbinsky.

Goals: Pavluchenko 56, Torbinsky 112, Arshavin 116.

Att: 42,500.

Ref: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).

Rater man of the match: Russia's Andrei Arshavin 8.87 (on 90 minutes).

Quarter-final 3: Netherlands v Russia

UEFA EURO 2008 QUARTER-FINAL


Date: Sat 21 June Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: St Jakob-Park, Basel


Netherlands coach Marco van Basten is set to revert back to his favoured starting XI after resting a host of players last time out against Romania.

That could mean only Khalid Boulahrouz - who will play despite the death of his prematurely-born baby daughter - and Arjen Robben keep their places.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andre Ooijer and Dirk Kuyt will all return to the side.

Russia coach Guus Hiddink will name an unchanged line-up to the one that beat Sweden 2-0 in their final group game.

That victory was inspired by Andrei Arshavin, the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker who had been suspended for the first two group games - a 4-1 defeat to Spain and a narrow 1-0 win over Greece.

"I don't think we needed to score that many goals in the Swedish game," said Arshavin. "We needed to save them for the next games and I hope we will score a few against the Dutch.

"If we didn't have to play the Netherlands, we would feel much better, because I think they are the best side here.

"But fate has it that we have to play the strongest team in the tournament in the last eight. I hope we will be able to match them."

Russia's performance in the win over Sweden prompted many observers to predict a possible upset against the Dutch, despite the Netherlands' 100% record in the tournament so far.

The match has a further twist, in that Russia coach Hiddink is a Dutchman, and led Holland to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1998.

And Hiddink, who will reportedly earn a £400,000 bonus for leading Russia into the last eight, will hope to avenge Russia's defeat to the Netherlands in the final of Euro '88.

The Netherlands, though, have been in superb form in this Championship, beating World Cup winners Italy 3-0, World Cup finalists France 4-1, and then Romania 2-0 with a side largely made up from fringe members of the squad.

Netherlands have announced that the players will wear black armbands in the quarter-final against Russia after Boulahrouz's prematurely-born daughter died earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands' Nigel de Jong and Andre Ooijer, and Russia's Ivan Saenko, Dmitry Torbinsky, Denis Kolodin, Andrei Arshavin and Sergei Semak, are all a booking away from missing a potential semi-final clash with either Spain or Italy.

BIG MATCH STATS

Head-to-heads

Holland have won four of the previous eight confrontations. Russia have won twice and two matches ended in a tie.

All three competitive encounters have been in European Championship finals. In 1988, the Soviet Union beat Holland 1-0 in their opening group match before losing the final 2-0. In 1992, when Russia took part as the CIS, this match ended in a 0-0 draw in the group stage. Current Dutch coach Marco van Basten played in all three of those matches. His only goal was a memorable strike in the final of 1988 to put Holland 2-0 up.

The most recent meeting was a friendly in February 2007 that resulted in a 4-1 victory for Holland.
Head to head records and significant meetings

Team facts - Netherlands

Now reached the knock-out stages in six consecutive European Championship finals, which is a competition record.

Been knocked out at the quarter-final stage only once; in 1996 with Guus Hiddink at the helm, they suffered a 5-4 defeat on penalties to France.

After beating Italy and France in Group C, Holland can now claim the scalp of a third former winner of this tournament by beating Russia.

Seven different Dutch players have scored at Euro 2008 which equals the record for most different goalscorers from a team in the tournament history.

They have now scored nine times, which is five short of the competition record set by France in 1984. Their +8 goal differential is the highest by any team in the group stage in the history of this tournament.
Nations with the best goal difference from European Championship finals group stages

Van Basten has now won 35 of his 51 matches in charge of Holland. He needs two more wins to equal Bob Glendenning's record of 37 wins as Holland manager.

Been shown just two yellow cards this tournament, fewer than any other team.

Team facts - Russia

Survived the group phase for the first time since 1988, when they took part as the Soviet Union and finished runners-up to the Netherlands.

Trying to become only the second nation to win this tournament despite losing their opening match, following in the footsteps of the Netherlands in 1988.

Coach Guus Hiddink has maintained his 100% progression record at major tournaments (two European Championships, three World Cups). In his only previous European Championship finals, he was eliminated in the quarter-finals by France (1996).

Hiddink has faced his native country twice before as a coach, both times in a friendly. In June 2006, Holland drew 1-1 with Hiddink's Australia. In February 2007, he suffered a 4-1 defeat with Russia against the Netherlands.

Player facts - Netherlands

Edwin van der Sar looks set to play in his 16th match in European Championship finals, equalling the all-time record set by France's Lilian Thuram earlier this tournament.

Nigel de Jong and Andre Ooijer are one yellow card shy of a suspension.

Player facts - Russia

Roman Pavlyuchenko has taken 18 shots on goal (nine on, nine off target) in the group stage, more than any other player.

Igor Akinfeev is the goalkeeper with most saves (21) to his name after the first round of matches.

If selected, Roman Adamov will be playing on his 26th birthday.

Sergei Semak will win his 50th cap for Russia, if he takes the field. He made his debut in a 1-0 defeat to Italy on 15 November 1997.

Denis Kolodin, Dmitriy Torbinskiy, Ivan Saenko, Andrei Arshavin and Sergei Semak are one yellow card shy of a suspension

Romania 0-2 Netherlands Pics

Holland striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is almost through on goal but Cosmin Contra gets a toe in to divert the ball onto his arm
With Italy beating France, Adrian Mutu tries to break the deadlock in Berne but his shot from range goes narrowly wide
Nine minutes into the second half, Marco van Basten's side break the deadlock when Huntelaar slots home from Ibrahim Afellay's cross
They wrap-up victory in the 87th minute when Robin van Persie beats Bogdan Lobont at his near post with a fine effort
With three wins out of three, the Netherlands travel to Basel for Saturday's quarter-final against either Russia or Sweden

Netherlands 2-0 Romania

Goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie ended Romania's hopes of making the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.

Italy's win over France meant that the Romanians had to beat the Dutch to progress, but they rarely threatened goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Huntelaar's opened the scoring in the second half when he slotted in Ibrahim Afellay's low cross from the right.

And Van Persie secured table-toppers Netherlands their third win from three when he smashed in from close range.

The Dutch will now play either Russia or Sweden in the last eight and following their first three performances Marco van Basten's team will fancy their chances against any side.

The makeshift starting XI - nine changes made - started tentatively as did Romania, but for very different reasons.

Victor Piturca's men knew a win was required to guarantee their berth in the last eight while the new-look Dutch were fully aware they needed to impress Van Basten.

As a consequence, the opening moments of the match provided few champagne moments.

However, there was goalmouth action, albeit of the half-chance variety.

Romania's top marksman Adrian Mutu came close on two occasions after creating the openings himself.

His first effort resulted from a clever twist and turn on the left-edge of the six-yard area which was deflected wide by the boot of Wilfred Bouma.

Mutu's second effort was more spectacular - a shot from 25 yards that flew two feet wide of Stekelenburg's right-hand post.

They should have hit the target just before the break when Paul Codrea fired over from 12 yards following great work by full-back Razvan Rat down the left.

But the Dutch went even closer. Demy de Zeeuw threaded the ball to Huntelaar who in turn flicked the ball to Arjen Robben.

Netherlands squad has 'clicked' - Robben

However, the Real Madrid star was perhaps a little too nonchalant, poking his shot a yard past Bogdan Lobont's right-hand post.

By this point it appeared that coach Piturca knew that Italy had taken the lead against France and that his team required nothing less than a win.

If the 11 on the pitch did not know the scoreline in Zurich during the first half then they were surely aware of it by the restart.

But instead of throwing caution to the wind the Romanians seemed more cautious and anxious - for that, they paid the price.

They were given a warning by Van Persie whose turn and shot from eight yards was brilliantly saved low by Lobont.

But within 10 minutes the Dutch punished their opponents when Afellay's low ball from the right was calmly converted by Ajax forward Huntelaar.

Foward Daniel Niculae was brought on for Marius Niculae in the hope he would reinvigorate the dispirited Romanians - but there was to be no Turkey-style comeback.

On the other hand, the Dutch looked more comfortable as the game wore on and Van Persie wrapped things up with the vicious strike into the roof of Lobont's net from six yards.

Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Boulahrouz (Melchiot 58), Heitinga, Bouma, De Cler, De Zeeuw, Engelaar, Afellay, Van Persie, Robben (Kuyt 62), Huntelaar (Vennegoor of Hesselink 82).
Subs Not Used: Van der Sar, Timmer, Ooijer, Mathijsen,Van Bronckhorst, van Nistelrooy, Sneijder, De Jong, Van der Vaart.

Goals: Huntelaar 54, Van Persie 87.

Romania: Lobont, Contra, Tamas, Ghionea, Rat, Cocis, Codrea (Dica 72), Chivu, Nicolita (Petre 82), Marius Niculae (Daniel Niculae 59), Mutu.
Subs Not Used: Popa, Stancioiu, Marica, Sapunaru, Moti, Cristea, Radu.

Booked: Chivu.

Att: 32,000

Ref: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).
man of the match: Netherlands' Robin van Persie 7.94 (on 90 minutes).

Van Basten: "Holland fully focused

Holland coach Marco van Basten has promised his team will be fully focused on beating Romania on Tuesday.

The Oranje have been hugely impressive in their opening two pool matches, storming to a 3-0 win over the world champions before following that up with a 4-1 thrashing of Les Bleus to secure top spot in the 'Group of Death' with a game to spare.

As Van Basten's troops could face the runners-up again in the semi-final if both win their last-eight ties, it could be in Holland's interests to send big guns Italy and France home early.

But the former AC Milan star will not allow his side to approach the game with such thoughts on their mind.

"It's an interesting match because we are in the good position of having already qualified," he said.

"Nevertheless, I think we want to play a good game so we are taking it seriously.

"We have a very professional group, 23 'A' internationals who are seriously professional and good players.

"We are going to approach the game with the same concentration and attention that we did for the last two games.

"We will put out the best formation we can think about to play Romania."

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy echoed the views of his coach, demanding the Dutch continue the momentum they have built up so far.

"We want to continue the way we played in the first two games," said the 31-year-old frontman.

"We put a lot of work in to reach the level we showed in the first two games and we don't want to lose that momentum."

Van Nistelrooy has enjoyed an international resurgence since building bridges with Van Basten following his exclusion from the squad after the World Cup two years ago.

And the former Manchester United forward claims the rift is now firmly in the past.

"It wasn't so difficult (to slot back in)," he said. "I joined the team again and I really took off like it was.

"We talked - that didn't take long either. We had a clear objective. That's the main common thing and that's part of our goal as a group. That's what we're working for."

Romania have it all to play for at the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, knowing victory would see them follow Holland into the quarter-finals.

Piturca's side held France to a goalless draw in their opener and then drew 1-1 against Italy and will count themselves unfortunate not to have won with Adrian Mutu seeing a late penalty saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

The 52-year-old knows his troops face a big task to get the better of Holland, though, regardless of whether Van Basten shuffles his pack.

"We're playing against a team that is in the best shape in this tournament, so I hope our concentration will be there," said Piturca.

"Many of the Dutch substitutes will probably play and will want to show they are valuable players. They must be good players to be in the Holland squad and they will want to show they deserve to be in the starting line-up - I am aware of this."

Ciprian Marica was an unused substitute against Italy and Piturca is unsure whether to risk the Stuttgart striker, who suffered a head injury earlier this month.

"He has recovered, he is in okay shape right now but I'm not sure whether he will play," said the coach. "He is still not match-fit in my opinion. I'll talk to him in the morning, maybe he can play 15-20 minutes."

Mirel Radoi remains sidelined for Romania after breaking his nose against the Italians in a collision with team-mate Razvan Rat, while Dorin Goian is suspended after receiving yellow cards in each of the two games so far.

Van Basten has a full squad available but is expected to make changes, affording some key players a rest and not risking second bookings for Nigel de Jong and Andre Ooijer

Netherlands-Romania

UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C
Date: Tue 17 June KO: 1945 BST Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne

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The Netherlands are likely to leave out Andre Ooijer and Nigel de Jong, who are each a booking away from a suspension.

John Heitinga and Demy de Zeeuw are likely to deputise, while Arjen Robben is expected to start his first match after two substitute appearances.

Romania's Mirel Radoi is ruled out of the tournament with a head injury, while defender Dorin Goian is banned.

Cristian Chivu could drop back to cover Goian, with Nicolae Dica and Banel Nicolita coming into midfield.

Romania beat the Netherlands 1-0 in qualifying for Euro 2008 and held them to a goalless draw in Rotterdam.

A win in Berne will put Romania into the quarter-finals and match their best ever result in a major tournament.

The Dutch are trying to keep up their record of making the quarter-finals in every European Championship since they won it in 1988.

Both Heitinga and De Zeeuw will be looking to play their way into coach Marco van Basten's thoughts for the next stage.

According to Van Basten Real Madrid winger Robben is "raring to go and eager" to start against the Romania.

Van Basten is expected to rest at least five of the starting line-up which beat 2006 World Cup finalists France 4-1 on Friday.

Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is set to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy up front, while Robin van Persie and Ibrahim Afellay could replace midfielders Real Madrid's Wesley Sneijder and Hamburg's Rafael Van der Vaart.


BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads

Netherlands and Romania have met each other on 10 occasions with the Dutch winning six times and Romania once. Romania have only scored twice in those 10 meetings.

Both countries met in the qualifying tournament for Euro 2008. The match in the Netherlands ended in a 0-0 draw and Romania won the home leg 1-0 on 13 October 2007.

Head to head records and significant meetings

Team facts - Netherlands

Already qualified as group winners.

Now reached the knock-out stages in six consecutive European Championship editions, which is a competition record, and won 16 European Championship matches which equals Germany's record.

Boast six different goal scorers in Euro 2008. The tournament record is seven and is held by three countries: Czech Republic (1996), Italy (2000) and France (2000).

Most distinct goal scorers at a European Championship finals
Beaten two former World Champions in the group phase. The last country to do so was Portugal in 2000 when they beat England and Germany. Romania finished as runners-up in that group.

In the previous editions of the European Championship only five countries won all three group matches. France in 1984 are the only country to win the tournament after winning the first three group matches.

Team facts - Romania

Romania will qualify for the quarter-finals with a win over the Netherlands. If Romania draw, they only qualify if Italy and France draw.

With a 0-0 draw at France - Italy, Romania can lose by a three goal margin (except 3-0) and still qualify. With a draw at France - Italy involving goals (1-1, 2-2, ...) and a defeat against Netherlands, Romania are out of the tournament.

Player facts - Netherlands

Nigel de Jong and Andre Ooijer will miss the quarter-final match if they receive a yellow card.

In the second group match against France, Edwin van der Sar broke the Dutch record for matches played (26) at the European Championship and World Cup combined.

Midfielder Wesley Sneijder is one of four players to score in each of the first two group matches. Forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Lukas Podolski (Germany) and David Villa (Spain) are the others.

Player facts - Romania

Dorin Goian is suspended for this match. Goian scored the only goal when these teams last met in a European Championship qualifier on 13 October 2007.

Daniel Niculae, Cristian Chivu, Adrian Mutu and Cosmin Contra will miss a possible quarter-final match if they receive a yellow card.

Adrian Mutu has scored 29 international goals. He needs one goal to equal second placed Iulu Bodola. Georghe Hagi is Romania's top scorer with 35 goals.

Miscellaneous Info

In the European Champions Cup final in 1989, current Romania coach Victor Piturca was part of the Steaua Bucharest team that lost to 0-4 to AC Milan. Current Dutch coach Marco van Basten scored twice in that final.

Even Nistelrooy can't Beleive dys....

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy said even their squad are surprised by their form at Euro 2008.

"We are still trying to get our heads round this," said the Real Madrid forward after the 4-1 win over France.

"We couldn't expect this as we didn't have the best of form before the tournament started.

"Now it seems everything is falling into place, confidence is there and it lifts the team and makes a lot of difference I think."

Van Nistelrooy, 31, failed to get on the scoresheet but the former Manchester United striker led the line brilliantly as they followed their 3-0 win over Italy with another resounding result.

"I tried to do my job - I played a lot with my back to goal and it worked well," he added.

606: DEBATE
My man of the match has to be between Kuyt or Robben

montqpr

"The team spirit is good. I have been in squads before and it is by far the best I have known. We work hard together, we are getting along together and the quality we have makes the difference.

"We have to step up for the quarter-finals and beyond."

His team-mate Arjen Robben came off the bench to score the crucial third goal, just a minute after France had pulled it back to 2-1.

Robben said the Dutch must avoid getting carried away by their flying start to the tournament.

He said: "We have to be quiet of course. We have played two terrific teams - two of the best teams in the world.

"They are great results but we have to stay down to earth. We have one more game in the group but then if we lose we are out and then this is all for nothing."

Netherlands coach Marco van Basten was delighted with the win, but feels his side can get even better.

"We are very happy to have beaten the world champions and the World Cup finalists in the same week," he said.

"We started well but then we were too passive under French pressure towards the end of the first half."

Netherlands 4-1 France

Netherlands reached the last eight of Euro 2008 and topped Group C with a superb win against France, who are now fighting to survive in the tournament.

Dirk Kuyt headed the Dutch in front after only 10 minutes.

Substitute Robin van Persie turned in Arjen Robben's cross on the hour, before Thierry Henry pulled one back from close range with 19 minutes left.

Robben's angled finish seconds later sunk France and Wesley Sneijder added a fourth from 20 yards in injury time.

The Dutch delivered another masterclass in ruthless finishing and the victory was a tactical triumph for coach Marco van Basten, who saw substitutes Van Persie and Robben emerge to play crucial roles in the win.

France, like Italy before them, had opportunities against the Dutch but were exposed by the brilliant counter-attacking style that has become the trademark of Van Basten's side.

Italy's earlier draw with Romania leaves them both battling with France to reach the quarter-finals.

And the so-called "group of death" will climax with a mouth-watering repeat of the 2006 World Cup final when France and Italy meet in Zurich on Tuesday, with survival in the tournament the potential prize.

The first goal was always going to prove crucial in Berne - and it was the Dutch who struck after only 10 minutes.

Rafael van der Vaart's corner evaded Henry at the near post and Kuyt out-muscled Florent Malouda to head past Gregory Coupet.

And Kuyt could have added a second shortly afterwards when Lilian Thuram made a mess of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's long ball, but the Liverpool striker lofted his finish off target.

France took their time to settle, but once they did they posed a genuine threat, with Sydney Govou twice shooting straight at Edwin van der Sar and Franck Ribery also forcing a save from the Manchester United keeper.

Dutch coach Van Basten made a change at half-time, replacing the ineffective Orlando Engelaar with Robben.

But it was France who picked up where they left off, with Henry's cross almost setting up Ribery a minute after the re-start.

France then had penalty appeals waved away when Henry's goal-bound shot struck Andre Ooijer's arm, but German referee Herbert Fandel ignored the claims.


Ruud van Nistelrooy is surprised by the Dutch side's form
Henry was then involved in the game's pivotal moment after 53 minutes when he was sent clear by Chelsea winger Malouda's over-head kick. Henry at his peak would surely have finished off the move, but only lobbed well over the bar with Van der Sar stranded.

The Netherlands took advantage of the reprieve to add a second with the sort of lightning counter-attack that destroyed Italy in their first group game.

Robben raced down the left flank and crossed for the incoming Van Persie - who was on for Kuyt - to sweep a finish past Coupet, despite the France keeper getting a hand to the ball.

France were thrown a lifeline with 19 minutes left when Henry beat Van der Sar with the faintest of touches from Willy Sagnol's superb cross - but hope was short-lived.

The Dutch swept downfield immediately and Robben, who had delivered a magnificent cameo, took Sneijder's pass and rifled a finish high past Coupet from a tight angle.

Sneijder then almost created a fourth for Ruud van Nistelrooy with a stunning raking pass that the striker met with a looping header that forced Coupet into a scrambled save.

But Sneijder was not to be denied and rounded off the win with a flourish with a glorious 20-yard finish that flew high past Coupet deep into injury time.



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Holland: Van der Sar, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, De Jong, Engelaar (Robben 46), Kuyt (Van Persie 55), Van der Vaart (Bouma 78), Sneijder, van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Timmer, Stekelenburg, Heitinga, De Zeeuw, Melchiot, De Cler, Huntelaar, Afellay, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Booked: Ooijer.

Goals: Kuyt 10, Van Persie 59, Robben 72, Sneijder 90.

France: Coupet, Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Evra, Govou (Anelka 75), Toulalan, Makelele, Malouda (Gomis 60), Ribery, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Mandanda, Frey, Boumsong, Abidal, Vieira, Benzema, Nasri, Clerc, Squillaci, Diarra.

Booked: Makelele, Toulalan.

Goals: Henry 71.

Att: 32,000

Ref: Herbert Fandel (Germany).

Rater man of the match: Netherlands' Arjen Robben 8.53 (on 90 minutes).

Netherlands v France

UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C
Date: Fri 13 Jun Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Desailly admits he fears for France
Netherlands' winger Arjen Robben is back in contention after recovering from a groin strain.

Rob van Persie has also shaken off a thigh problem but striker Klas-Jan Huntelaar (calf) and Mario Melchiot (pelvis) are set to miss out.

Striker Thierry Henry and midfielder Patrick Vieira are both fully fit and expected to return for France.

Both missed Monday's 0-0 draw with Romania but could replace Nicolas Anelka and Jeremy Toulalan in Berne.

France coach Raymond Domenech, who has a full squad to select from, has revealed he is considering making up to four changes, with full-backs Eric Abidal and Willy Sagnol also under threat.

But Domenech is unlikely to alter the conservative approach he adopted against Romania.


"The idea is not to be seductive but to play better, to evolve," Domenech said. "The objective is not to play a brilliant opening game and then have to pick yourselves off the floor in the next one.

"There are no individual restrictions as such. It is in the interests of team balance.

"I don't think I've used the word caution since the beginning of the competition. Rather it is security and responsibility in each position.

"It is especially important to have stability in defence. I rarely make changes there.

"One could consider that in certain positions we have reserve players who, individually, are stronger. But I will make the decision I think will strengthen the team collectively."



Garth Crooks has visited the Dutch fans in camp
With Robben and Van Persie fit, Dutch coach Marco van Basten must also decide whether to tinker with his side after their impressive victory over Italy.
"I am very happy Robben has recovered sooner than expected," van Basten said. "He trained on Thursday morning and is fit.

"It is not easy bringing them back into a winning team but it is a luxury problem to have."


BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads

Netherlands and France have met each other on 21 occasions. The Dutch team has a slight edge with nine wins, four draws and eight defeats.

The two countries have met twice at a European Championship. In 1996, France knocked out the Netherlands after a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-final. The match had ended goalless. Edwin van der Sar and Lilian Thuram are the only remaining players. At Euro 2000, hosts Holland beat France 3-2 in the third and final group match. Both teams had already qualified.

Head to head records and significant meetings

Team facts - Netherlands

This will be Marco van Basten's 50th match as Dutch national team coach. His record is 33 wins, 11 draws and dive defeats, since taking over after Euro 2004.

Player facts - Netherlands

Dirk Kuyt (39 matches) is the player Van Basten has used most in his time in charge. Ruud van Nistelrooy (14 goals) is the top scorer in Van Basten's 49 previous matches.

Van Nistelrooy has now scored five European Championship goals equalling his current coach Marco van Basten. Patrick Kluivert is the only Dutch player who has scored more (six). Van Nistelrooy has now scored 32 goals for 'Oranje'. He needs one more to equal Johan Cruijff and Abe Lenstra, who are joint fourth on the Dutch all-time top scorer list.

Edwin van der Sar can set a Dutch record for most matches at a European Championship and World Cup combined. He is now equal with Dennis Bergkamp on 25. In his country's opening match, Van der Sar became the oldest Dutch player at a European Championship at the age of 37 years and 224 days.

During Van Basten's reign, Van der Sar has played 37 matches for the Netherlands and has lost only two of them. Italy won 3-1 in Holland in a friendly in November 2005 and Portugal knocked Holland out of the 2006 Fifa World Cup (1-0).

Nigel de Jong will be suspended if booked.

Player facts - France

Lilian Thuram broke the all-time appearance record at the European Championship when he played his 15th match against Romania.

If Thierry Henry scores, he will become the third player to score in three different European Championships, joining Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany) and Vladimir Smicer (Czech Republic). Nuno Gomes (Portugal) and Henrik Larsson (Sweden) can also achieve this at Euro 2008.

If he plays, Nicolas Anelka, will win his 50th cap. He has still not scored at the European Championship, making him one of the most unsuccessful strikers in the competition. With six goalless matches behind Anelka's name, Turkey's Arif Erdem is the only 'scoreless' striker at the European Championship with more matches played (seven).

Florent Malouda celebrates his 28th birthday on 13 June. He can become the third player to score on his birthday during a European Championship, joining compatriot Jean-Francois Domergue (1984) and Wesley Sneijder (2008).

William Gallas and Robin van Persie are team mates at Arsenal. Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar both play at Manchester United.

Willy Sagnol will be suspended if booked.

Miscellaneous Info

This match will possibly feature the five active players with the most minutes played at European Championships, three from France and two from the Netherlands.

Most minutes at European Championship

The French squad contains seven players that were born outside France. The Dutch squad contains only players that were born in the Netherlands.

van Basten hailed great victory

Netherlands coach Marco van Basten said his team made history with their stunning 3-0 Group C victory over World Cup holders Italy at Euro 2008.

"It was an historic feat. This was against Italy, the world champions," said a delighted Van Basten.

"To win 3-0 against Italy, a team with so much experience and quality in their team, we didn't expect that. It was a truly good performance from everyone.

"I am happy and proud, but this is only a first step."

The Dutch took the lead through a controversial Ruud van Nistelrooy strike, adding Wesley Sneijder and Giovanni van Bronckhorst goals to add gloss to a stunning triumph.

This leaves us incredibly proud and with a great feeling

Dutch star Wesley Sneijder

Van Basten believes the shock result gives his team the right to believe they can go far in the competition.

"We have never beaten Italy by three goals," added Van Basten, who won Euro 1988 as a player with the Dutch.

"If you think we were without players like Arjen Robben and Ryan Babel, the players reacted in a wonderful way.

"They fought like a team and if the spirit is like it was tonight, with all the quality we have, we can have nice dreams."

Real Madrid's Sneijder, who produced a scintillating attacking midfield display in the great Netherlands tradition, said the win has sent confidence soaring in the Dutch camp.

"This leaves us incredibly proud and with a great feeling," said Sneijder, who scored on his 24th birthday.



Dirk Kuyt was delighted with the win
"The first time is always incredibly important and to do this against Italy... it gives us a lot of confidence.

"But we have to realise that it is not in the bag yet."

Dirk Kuyt, who set up the second and third goals, admitted he thought the first goal from Van Nistelrooy would be ruled out for offside.

"We were waiting for the flag but it didn't come," said Kuyt. "But this is a great start for us. We must keep going now.

"We've given everything we've got and it's a great result for us. But it's the first match and there's another two tough matches to come."

Netherlands 3-0 Italy Pics

Italian fans create a riot of colour in the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf as kick-off approaches in the massive clash with the Dutch
Italy's Massimo Ambrosini is tackled by Nigel de Jong during a lively opening to the match in the Swiss capital Berne
Van Nistelrooy soon takes his chance - tapping home Wesley Sneijder's shot from an off-side position to give the Dutch the lead
Italy fall further behind in the 31st minute as Wesley Sneijder superbly volleys past Buffon as the Dutch take control


Van Bronckhorst's header is celebrated wildly as the stunning counter-attack bears fruit for the men in orange

Netherlands 3-0 Italy

Netherlands took a firm grip on Euro 2008's so-called "Group of Death" by winning a classic encounter with Italy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Dutch ahead in controversial circumstances after 26 minutes when he scored from close range - but looked suspiciously offside.

Wesley Sneijder swept in a second from Dirk Kuyt's header five minutes later.

Edwin van der Sar then denied Italy with stunning saves from Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo before Giovanni van Bronckhorst headed in after 80 minutes.

Euro 2008 has made a low-key start, but this was a game to set any tournament alight as the Dutch played in a stunning counter-attacking style and Italy also showed flashes of brilliance, despite ending up well beaten.

Holland are in pole position to qualify after France's dismal goalless draw with Romania, but World Cup holders Italy - even in defeat - suggested they can still go through from this tough group.

Marco van Basten's side started the game accompanied by the usual question marks about fractured spirit with the Dutch camp, but answered in style with their first win over Italy in 30 years.

After the dreadful fare on offer in the earlier game between France and Romania, the opening 45 minutes produced by two of the tournament favourites provided a glorious contrast.

Italy created the first moments of danger, with Antonio di Natale's cross just failing to find Luca Toni as he closed in six yards out.

The giant Bayern Munich striker then headed Gennaro Gattuso's cross wide from a good position as all the early signs pointed to a fast, flowing and positive contest.

Van Nistelrooy posted the warning signals for Italy as early as the 17th minute when he collected Kuyt's pass and attempted to round keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Buffon made contact with Van Nistelrooy but the striker - who had a reputation for going to ground too easily when he was with Manchester United - chose to stay on his feet and the chance was gone.



Kuyt and Van der Sar delight in win
Van Nistelrooy had better luck when he gave the Dutch the lead in hugely questionable circumstances after 26 minutes, standing in what looked like an offside position when he steered Sneijder's shot past Buffon.

Italy were furious, but the chairman of Austria's refereeing commission Gerhard Kapl later insisted that Van Nistelrooy had been played onside by Italy defender Christian Panucci, who had been injured seconds earlier and was lying off the pitch.

And Italy's agony increased when the Netherlands doubled their advantage five minutes later via a wonderful flowing move that swept the length of the field.

Van Bronckhorst had just made a vital clearance, but was then ambitious and energetic enough to attack and send a long crossfield pass to find the head of Kuyt.

The Liverpool forward was back-pedalling, but was still able to steer the ball into the path of Sneijder, who turned a neat close-range finish beyond Buffon.

Van Nistelrooy had the opportunity to kill the game off three minutes before the interval when he was picked out by a magical pass from Real Madrid team-mate Sneijder, but Buffon made a crucial stop.


Ruud van Nistelrooy celebrates putting the Netherlands ahead

Italy had not played badly, and it was no surprise that they stepped the pace after the break in a bid to put the pressure back on the Netherlands.

Veteran Alessandro del Piero was introduced for Di Natale, and he forced Van der Sar into a smart save after 65 minutes.

He then had another clear chance when he was picked out by Pirlo, but this time he was wastefully off target.

Toni had not been at his best in front of goal, and he wasted another clear opportunity with 15 minutes left, lofting substitute Antonio Cassano's pass over Van der Sar but also over the bar.

Van der Sar then came to the Netherlands' rescue twice in the space of seconds in a passage of play that eventually led to his side's third goal after 78 minutes.

The Manchester United keeper blocked crucially from Grosso and then saved acrobatically from Pirlo's free-kick before Holland once again demonstrated their ruthlessness on the counter attack.

Pirlo was still wondering how Van der Sar had stopped his effort when Van Bronckhorst surged forward once more to set up Kuyt.

Kuyt saw his original effort saved by Buffon, but he tirelessly retrieved the ball and crossed for Van Bronckhorst to head home, despite the best efforts of Italy defender Gianluca Zabrotta.

Italy could barely believe they were three goals down, but it could have been worse as Dutch substitutes Ibrahim Afellay and Robin van Persie were just off target with spectacular efforts.

The Dutch were worthy winners of a magnificent game - and made it clear they have the quality to have a major impact on Euro 2008.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Netherlands: Van der Sar, Ooijer, Boulahrouz (Heitinga 77), Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt (Afellay 81), De Jong, Van der Vaart, Engelaar, Sneijder, van Nistelrooy (Van Persie 70).
Subs Not Used: Timmer, Stekelenburg, De Zeeuw, Robben, Melchiot, Bouma, De Cler, Huntelaar, Vennegoor of Hesselink. Booked: De Jong.

Goals: Van Nistelrooy 26, Sneijder 31, Van Bronckhorst 80.

Italy: Buffon, Panucci, Barzagli, Materazzi (Grosso 55), Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Camoranesi (Cassano 75), Toni, Di Natale (Del Piero 64).
Subs Not Used: Amelia, De Sanctis, Chiellini, Gamberini, De Rossi, Borriello, Quagliarella, Perrotta, Aquilani.

Booked: Toni, Zambrotta, Gattuso.

Att: 31,500

Ref: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden).

Rater man of the match: Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder 8.53 (on 90 minutes).


TRIVIA
This three goal loss marks Italy's biggest defeat ever at the European Championship. The Italians lost twice with a three goal margin at the World Cup: Switzerland (4-1 in 1954) and Brazil (4-1 in 1970).

Italy's starting line-up was 31 years and 52 days which is the oldest starting 11 in the history of the competition.

Wesley Sneijder scored on his 24th birthday. The only other player to score on his birthday at a European Championships was France's Jean-Francois Domergue in a 3-2 win over Portugal in 1984.

Holland's Edwin van der Sar and Italy's Alessandro Del Piero played in their fourth European Championship as they were also present in 1996, 2000 and 2004. They equalled Germany's Lothar Matthaus, Denmark's Peter Schmeichel and France's Lilian Thuram. Van der Sar became the first Dutch player to appear in 14 European Championship matches. He overtook Dennis Bergkamp and Phillip Cocu. The overall record is 15 and was set by Thuram, in France's 0-0 draw with Romania in the day's other Group C match.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has now scored five European Championship goals equalling his current coach Marco van Basten. Patrick Kluivert is the only Dutch player who has scored more European Championship goals (six).

Netherlands v Italy

UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP C
Date: Mon 9 Jun Kick-off: 1945 BST Venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne
Arjen Robben will miss Netherlands Euro 2008 opener against Italy in Berne on Monday after picking up a groin injury in training.

Dutch coach Marco van Basten said: "It's very disappointing for Arjen and a pity for the team as we have lost another left winger in Ryan Babel."

Italy's Christian Panucci hopes to be fit, despite suffering a knee injury.

Keeper Gianluigi Buffon will captain Italy after injured defender Fabio Cannavaro was ruled out of Euro 2008.

Van Basten was philosophical about Robben's setback, adding: "Together with the medical department, Arjen will work very hard on his recovery. So we really do hope that he can be of value for the team later in the tournament."

Dutch striker Robin van Persie returned to training on Saturday after a thigh injury, but van Basten has questioned whether he is fit to play.

606: DEBATE
Who will escape the Group of Death?
Mario Melchiot missed the session and is rated as an injury doubt.

The right-back has been struggling with a groin injury but was considered an unlikely starter anyway.

Arsenal forward Van Persie's condition has been improving, but Van Basten has said he will not risk him.

The coach said: "His condition is improving from day to day, but it is logical that there is still some improvement to come.

"He has a lot of catching up to do and the Italy match will be too early."

Van Persie, however, has not given up hope, saying: "I understand that I lack match practice but I still hope I can start against Italy."

Wesley Sneijder joined Van Persie in returning to training with the full squad, despite his injury problems earlier in the week.

Italy will be desperate for Panucci to make their crucial opening to the so-called 'group of death', which also features France.

The 35-year-old, who is expected to be Italy's first choice right-back, tweaked a tendon in his right knee in training on Friday.

"It is a bit better even if it is a little swollen. I really think I'll be there," Panucci told a news conference on Saturday.

"At this moment there is a bit of pain but on Sunday it will be better."


BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads

Netherlands and Italy have met each other in 15 previous matches with Italy winning seven and Netherlands only two.

Netherlands have not won any of the last eight matches against Italy since the second round of the 1978 World Cup.

The last competitive match between the two countries was in the semi-finals of Euro 2000 when Italy beat the hosts 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Holland missed two penalties (Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert) during the match and another three in the penalty shoot-out (Frank de Boer again, Jaap Stam and Paul Bosvelt).Ten cards were shown during the game, equalling the tournament record which was set in the Germany - Czech Republic group phase match in 1996.

Head to head records and significant meetings

Team facts - Netherlands

Have reached the semi-finals in four of the last five editions of the European Championship.

Over that period Netherlands have won 12 European Championship matches, three more than second placed France and Portugal.

Played a defending World Champion on 13 previous occasions winning five times and losing twice. The last time was at Euro 2000 when they beat France in the group phase (3-2).

Won the highest number of matches over the last five European Championships (12).

Nations with the best European Championship record since 1988


Team facts - Italy

Knocked out in the group phase in two of the last three European Championships.

Unbeaten in their opening match at their six European Championships, winning four and drawing two.

Lost only one match in the group phase of a European Championship - a 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic in 1996.

One of only three nations to have won the European Championship and the World Cup. France and Germany are the others.

Been involved in more goalless draws (six) in this competition than any other nation. Netherlands are second on the list with five goalless draws.

Can become only the second reigning World Champion to win the European Championship, after France achieved this feat in 2000.

Player facts - Netherlands

Marco van Basten won the European Championship in 1988 as a player. He can become only the second person after Berti Vogts to win the European Championship both as player and coach. Vogts was part of the winning squad at the European Championship in 1972 but did not play.

Of all current trainers at Euro 2008 three have a history at the tournament as a player: Marco van Basten (Netherlands), Roberto Donadoni (Italy) and Slaven Bilic (Croatia). Van Basten and Donadoni were team mates at AC Milan between 1987 and 1993.

Edwin van der Sar can become the first Dutch player to appear in 14 European Championship matches. He is now level with Dennis Bergkamp and Phillip Cocu. The overall record is 14 and is shared by four players. One of those players is Lilian Thuram who can play his 15th European Championship match at Euro 2008.

Wesley Sneijder will turn 24 on the day of this match.

Player facts - Italy

If Gianluca Zambrotta receives a yellow card, he joins Gheorghe Hagi and Pavel Nedved as the only players to receive five yellow cards at the European Championship.

Alessandro Del Piero can play in his fourth European Championship as he was present in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Germany's Lothar Matthaus and Denmark's Peter Schmeichel hold the record with four European Championships. Holland's Edwin van der Sar and France's Lilian Thuram can also make their fourth appearance

United quartet dreaming of double

United quartet dreaming of double





They may be focusing their attentions on UEFA EURO 2008™ yet Manchester United FC quartet Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo can join an exclusive club this month – players who have won the European Champion Clubs' Cup and the UEFA European Championship in the same year.

EURO vision
Only five men have achieved the feat since the latter competition began in 1960, but with United's famous four having helped their team defeat Chelsea FC in Moscow to lift the European Cup, that illustrious company could gain at least one extra member when the final whistle blows at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on 29 June. "It's been a magnificent season for me so far," said Ronaldo after a campaign which brought him 42 goals for United. "It's a fantastic year with my club, and now I want to win the EURO as well."

Élite group
The United quartet may have had a season to remember but enlisting in the élite band of European Cup/European Championship double winners has proved beyond many. Luis Suárez attained those twin peaks with FC Internazionale Milano and Spain in 1964, while in 1988, PSV Eindhoven's Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Berry van Aerle and Gerald Vanenburg were all in the triumphant Netherlands side. Wim Kieft and Nicolas Anelka both registered near misses, however. A European champion with PSV in 1988, Kieft was an unused substitute in the Netherlands' victory; Anelka was similarly thwarted with France in 2000, having featured in Real Madrid CF's UEFA Champions League final win. Anelka's Madrid team-mate from 2000, Christian Karembeu, holds the unique record of being an unused substitute in the European Cup and European Championship finals in the same year.

Final hurdle
At least Karembeu collected two winner's medals. Four summers ago Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Maniche and Deco helped FC Porto to UEFA Champions League success against AS Monaco FC, yet fell at the last when Portugal lost to Greece in the UEFA EURO 2004™ final. Four German players knew exactly how they felt. In 1976, Sepp Maier, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer and Uli Hoeness were in the FC Bayern München side that landed a third successive European Cup against AS Saint-Etienne, before their West Germany team reached the European Championship final – succumbing on penalties to Czechoslovakia.

European consolation
For six of the Chelsea players who were runners-up to United – Petr Čech, Claude Makelele, Carvalho, Michael Ballack, Florent Malouda and Anelka – there may still be the consolation of being crowned continental champions at national, rather than club, level. If so, they would be following the example of just four players in history – in 1964, Ignacio Zoro and Amancio Amaro were losers with Real Madrid yet victors with Spain, while Manny Kaltz and Hörst Hrubesch tasted defeat with Hamburger SV in 1980 before assisting West Germany to EURO glory.

Melchiot doubtful for Azzurri encounter

Melchiot doubtful for Azzurri encounter




Right-back Mario Melchiot faces a race against time to be fit for the Netherlands' Group C opener against Italy on Monday as he struggles to shake off a minor pelvic problem.
'An irritation'
The 31-year-old Wigan Athletic FC defender has been rested for every Dutch training session since Thursday evening and will also miss team training on Saturday. A scan revealed that the 21-times capped former AFC Ajax and Chelsea FC player has no serious underlying condition but he is suffering what a Dutch team spokesman called "an irritation" to his pubic bone. Medical staff hope Melchiot can recover in time to train with the team at the Stade de Suisse on Sunday.

Netherlands play down Sneijder concern

Netherlands play down Sneijder concern



Wesley Sneijder is expected to be fit for the Netherlands' opening match against Italy on Monday despite pulling his hamstring in training this morning.

Injury fears
The Real Madrid CF midfielder, who celebrates his 24th birthday on the day of the Group C game, went straight off for treatment although the injury was not deemed serious enough to warrant a trip to hospital. KNVB press officer Kees Jansma said Sneijder will be fit to tackle the world champions in four days' time. He trained on his own this evening along with Arjen Robben, who had been involved in a vigorous early session. For that same reason, Mario Melchiot, recently recovered from a groin strain, was rested by Marco van Basten.

Van Persie seeks to justify special status

Van Persie seeks to justify special status





Robin van Persie is afforded special status by Netherlands coach Marco van Basten. The Arsenal FC forward arrived at his country's training camp two and a half weeks ago still troubled by a thigh injury, but Van Basten said he was so important he would be taken to UEFA EURO 2008™ regardless.
Back in the fold
Up until yesterday Van Persie had trained alone, putting a question mark against his participation versus Italy on Monday. But he was fully involved on Wednesday when the Oranje completed their first training session on Swiss soil in Lausanne. Afterwards he told euro2008.com: "The last few weeks have been tough, but everything was under control. Every possible match situation was tested and I came through them all. But in group training it's different as you have to do what the coach says. But it's good to be back. I knew what to expect, maybe I'm a bit more tired, but that's normal.

Hard to watch
"It has been very tough not to play," continued the 24-year-old former Feyenoord prodigy. "I always suffer when I don't play. I see the others playing freely, without any worries. But I have been well looked after, especially by the medical staff who deserve great credit – they have worked very hard with me, from nine to five o'clock every day."

Special request
Van Persie's last appearance for club or country came on 28 April against Derby County FC when he scored in a 6-2 Arsenal victory. He last played for the Oranje one month before that, in a 4-3 success over Austria in Vienna. So he is desperate to be involved in the Group C opener against the world champions in Berne; he even asked Van Basten to arrange an extra friendly.

Risky business
"He told me we would not need another friendly as we would have a practice match in training," Van Persie said. "I don't know if it is wise to start against Italy or not. I have done it with Arsenal after just one training session and one time it went OK, the other time it did not. I think it will be hard to play the 90 minutes. I say 'I'm available' then it's up to the coach. I would pick myself for this match nine times out of ten. I feel good. But then I would always pick myself nine times out of ten."

Rosetti to referee opening game

Rosetti to referee opening game





An Italian will get the UEFA European Championship finals under way for the second tournament running after Roberto Rosetti was appointed to referee the opening game between co-hosts Switzerland and the Czech Republic in Basel on Saturday.

Rosetti honour
Four years ago in Portugal, Pierluigi Collina officiated when the hosts met Greece in the first fixture, now Rosetti will follow in his footsteps, assisted by compatriots Alessandro Griselli and Paolo Calcagno, with France's Stéphane Lannoy as fourth official. Dutch referee Peter Vink will be in charge for the first match in Austria on Sunday, meanwhile, when Croatia face the home nation in Vienna.

Appointments
Altogether the 12 referees have been assigned one match so far, each assisted by a team two compatriots with who they have been working in UEFA competitions this year, along with a selection of eight fourth officials. Slovakia's Ľuboš Micheľ, who took charge of last month's UEFA Champions League final, is one of two of the 12 UEFA EURO 2004™ referees involved this time around; he starts on Wednesday when Switzerland meet Turkey in Basel while Spain's Manuel Enrique Mejuto González, the other survivor from Portugal, will officiate Romania v France in Zurich on Monday. Further appointments will be announced later in the tournament.

UEFA EURO 2008™ appointments for first 12 matches


Date Match Referee Assistant 1 Assistant 2 4th Official

Sat 7 Jun

Switzerland v Czech Republic - Roberto Rosetti (ITA), Alessandro Griselli (ITA),
Paolo Calcagno (ITA), Stéphane Lannoy (FRA)

Portugal v Turkey - Herbert Fandel (GER) ,Carsten Kadach (GER) , Volker Wezel (GER), Viktor Kassai (HUN)

Sun 8 Jun

Austria v Croatia - Peter Vink (NED), Adriaan Inia (NED), Hans Ten Hoove (NED)
Kristinn Jakobsson (ISL)

Germany v Poland - Tom Henning Øvrebø (NOR) , Geir Åge Holen (NOR), Jan Petter Randen (NOR) , Craig Thomson (SCO)

Mon 9 Jun

Romania v France - Manuel Enrique Mejuto González (ESP), Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez (ESP), Jesús Calvo Guadamuro (ESP) , Olegário Benquerença (POR)

Netherlands v Italy - Peter Fröjdfeldt (SWE) , Stefan Wittberg (SWE) ,
Henrik Andrén (SWE) , Damir Skomina (SVN)

Tue 10 Jun

Spain v Russia - Konrad Plautz (AUT) , Egon Bereuter (AUT), Markus Mayr (AUT) , Grzegorz Gilewski (POL)

Greece v Sweden - Massimo Busacca (SUI) , Matthias Arnet (SUI) ,Stéphane Cuhat (SUI) Ivan Bebek (CRO)

Wed 11 Jun

Czech Republic v Portugal- Kyros Vassaras (GRE) , Dimitris Bozatzidis (GRE) , Dimitris Saraidaris (GRE), Kristinn Jakobsson (ISL)

Switzerland v Turkey - Ľuboš Micheľ (SVK) , Roman Slyško (SVK) , Martin Balko (SVK),
Damir Skomina (SVN)

Thu 12 Jun

Croatia v Germany - Frank De Bleeckere (BEL), Peter Hermans (BEL), Alex Verstraeten (BEL), Stéphane Lannoy (FRA)

Austria v Poland - Howard Webb (ENG), Darren Cann (ENG), Mike Mullarkey (ENG), Viktor Kassai (HUN)

Robben ready to fly again

Robben ready to fly again




In the Netherlands' UEFA EURO 2008™ warm-up matches, one player has caught the eye more than any other – winger Arjen Robben.

Sparking to life
The 24-year-old has been fast and direct, displaying a willingness to dribble past opponents whenever possible. Robben, who won the Primera División with Real Madrid CF alongside Wesley Sneijder and Ruud van Nistelrooy, returned to Oranje action in style against Denmark on 29 May. He set up Van Nistelrooy's opener in that 1-1 draw, then scored his ninth goal in 33 internationals against Wales four days later. It was form recalling his youthful best, before the injuries that limited him to 12 league starts in his first season with Real Madrid.

Happy return
"I feel very strong and fit now," the former FC Groningen, PSV Eindhoven and Chelsea FC flier told euro2008.com. "I have been out of international football because of injuries for far too long. I am delighted to be back with the squad after more than six months." Robben's previous outing for Marco van Basten's team had been the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Slovenia on 17 October. He attributes his recovery to a tip from former FC Twente coach Fred Rutten, who contacted Robben's father to recommend an osteopath from his own playing days. "He worked with me for some time and unlocked certain parts of my back, and that has been a big help," said the wide man.

'On the right track'
The collective picture, as well as the personal, gives Robben hope for the Netherlands' Group C tests to come. "We have put in some good performances, we have shown good things and we have improved where necessary, so we are on the right track," he said. "But whether that will be enough, we will only find out during the group stage." The Oranje's first game is against world champions Italy in Berne on Monday, before meetings with France on 13 June and Romania four days later. "Obviously Italy are a very strong footballing nation and, as a team, they are always very well-organised," the winger continued. "But they are not the only strong side at EURO and everyone is here to win it."

Cannavaro sympathy
For all his desire for Dutch success, Robben takes no pleasure in the misfortune of Italy captain and Real Madrid team-mate Fabio Cannavaro – ruled out of the tournament this week with an ankle injury. "I did not find that good news at all," he said. "It is very sad as I know what it means to miss out on things through injury. But Italy have enough quality to replace him, they can cope. The match against Italy is going to be about the small details, which in the end will decide who will win. It will not be easy for either side."