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EURO 2000 : Holland steps to the semi finals |
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June 26, 2000
6-1 victory over Yugoslavia in Rotterdam propelled Frank Rijkaard's men into an Amsterdam semi-final date against Group B leaders Italy.
The 7-goal result means that Holland, with a five-goal margin, have equaled the crushing 5-0 defeat suffered by Yugoslavia at the hands of Denmark during the group stage of Euro 84, at which hosts France also hammered Belgium 5-0.
Holland's hero of the night was forward Patrick Kluivert, who claimed two goals in the first half on the 24th and 38th minute marks, and a further goal in the second half (54).
A Yugoslav own goal, at first claimed by Kluivert only three minutes beforehand (51), was turned in by Dejan Govedarica. Kluivert now sits alongside Yugoslavia forward Savo Milosevic at the top of the competition's goal standings with five goals, while teammate Marc Overmars also began his account with a second-half brace of goals (78, 90) to take Holland's match tally to six for the most convincing result of the championships so far.
Yugoslavia, meanwhile, head home shell-shocked after being on the wrong side of the biggest ever European championships quarter final defeat since the competition began.
Their only goal came almost by accident through Milosevic (right), who scored past a stranded Sander Westerveld, on as a substitute for Edwin Van Der Sar in the 65th minute.
Vujadin Boskov's side, who throughout the group phase were a picture of efficiency and determination, never really recovered from the 2-0 lead at half-time, looking sluggish and one step behind the Dutch for most of the first half.
The aggressive play which had characterized their hard-fought displays against Slovenia, Norway and Spain looked conspicuous by its absence and Holland, sensing the lack of urgency, took full control from the start.
Only one yellow card was shown throughout the game - and that was to Holland's Paul Bosvelt in the 48th minute. Yugoslavia, finally, got on the scoresheet in the 90th minute when Milosevic got on the end of a rebound from a shot which came off the crossbar. Almost reluctantly, he slipped it past Westerveld.
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