MATCH 27 REPORT : DUTCH DELIGHT IN SHOOT-OUT

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.

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