Deflated Dutch lick their wounds

Ruud van Nistelrooy described himself as “sick, broken and miserable” after Holland’s surrendered a two-goal lead to allow the dynamic Czechs roar into the quarter-finals in the most exciting game of Euro 2004 to date.

But those emotions could soon be applied to Dutch coach Dick Advocaat if Holland fail to reach the same stage after next Wednesday’s conclusion to Group D.