Russia and Guus Hiddink continued their dream run at Euro 2008 as they sent favourites Holland packing in Basel. Despite having had more days off than their Russian counterparts, Marco Van Basten’s side were run ragged by Arshavin and company, and it was particularly evident in extra time, when Russia scored twice in a matter of five minutes.

The Dutch started as favourites, having come through the Group of Death unbeaten, but they were unprepared for the challenge that the Russians posed. Van Basten trusted the lineup that demolished France and Spain, with Arjen Robben forced to watch from the sidelines because of an injury. It was Russia however who began brightly. Yuri Zhirkov had his powerful freekick saved by Van der Sar, and Roman Pavyluchenko headed over two minutes later. In the first half, Russia had six corners to Holland’s one. Denis Kolodin tested Van der Sar with several long range efforts, and the Russian centreback also did a good job of containing Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

At the break, Van Persie came on for Kuyt, and almost made an immediate impact, but he shot wide. Ten minutes later, Andrei Arshavin passed the ball to skipper Sergey Semak, whose cross into the box was volleyed home by Pavyluchenko. The Dutch began to pour forward in search of the equalizer, and at the other end, Alexander Anyukov nearly doubled Russia’s lead after racing into the box and shooting at Van der Sar. Nigel de Jong was called into action time and again, as Russia threatened to outpace their opponents. But Holland did snatch an equalizer with four minutes to go, with Ruud Van Nistelrooy heading home from Wesley Sneijder’s freekick Denis Kolodin was given the marching orders by Lubos Michel, but the Slovakian referee allowed him to stay on the pitch after a discussion with one of his assistant. Instead of the goal demoralizing the Russians, it spurred them on further, and the Dutch began to look increasingly vulnerable. Yuri Zhirkov had a clear penalty turned down, and it was clear that the Russians were the fresher side. Russia took the lead when Arshavin raced down the left, and snuck his cross into the box after evading Ooijer, and Dmitry Torbinsky headed in. This was minutes after Torbinsky had been given a card for his challenge on Van der Vaart, which would see him missing a potential semifinal.

Four minutes later, Russia sealed the match when a throw in found Arshavin in the Dutch box. The Zenit forward’s shot took a deflection off Heitinga and went in.

Last international game for Edwin Van der Sar, and last game as Netherlands manager for Marco Van Basten. As for the Russians, Hiddink wields his magic wand again !