Quarter final goes to penalties

Sweden 0-0 Holland After extra time

A second Euro 2004 quarter-final was set to be decided on penalties after Sweden and Holland could not be separated during a goalless 120 minutes.

With hosts Portugal progressing from spot-kicks against England in the first match among the last eight on Thursday, this tie too was to be decided by a test of nerve after both sides failed to make the breakthrough despite a number of chances going begging.

Holland coach Dick Advocaat had named an unchanged starting line-up with the experienced Frank de Boer keeping his place ahead of centre-half Wilfred Bouma.

Regular right-back Johnny Hettinga, who was suspended for the 3-0 victory against Latvia in their final group match, could not regain his place from Michael Reiziger.

Sweden, hoping to reach the last four of the competition for only the second time in their history, were without defensive duo Erik Edman (suspended) and Teddy Lucic (rib injury).

Defenders Alexander Ostlund and Mikael Nilsson were picked in their place with Everton midfielder Tobias Linderoth also returning after suspension and Southampton’s Anders Svensson replacing Anders Andersson.

Holland showed more confidence in the opening stages and in the ninth minute Chelsea-bound Dutch winger Arjen Robben was the first to test Andreas Isaksson with a powerful strike from the edge of the area which forced the goalkeeper into a one-handed save.

Five minutes later the Dutch had a second opportunity but Seedorf’s 25-yard free-kick was straight at the goalkeeper.

Holland continued to surge forward and with 17 minutes played Olof Mellberg made a vital block following Van Nistelrooy’s shot on target from inside the box.

Sweden had their first shot in the 24th minute but Henrik Larsson’s free-kick did not trouble goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar as the shot went wide.

Three minutes later Holland were back on the attack with Van Nistelrooy feeding Reiziger whose first-touch strike went inches wide of Isaksson’s left-hand post.

Phillip Cocu tried his luck from distance and his powerful, bouncing shot surprised the goalkeeper who punched the ball away from danger.

Holland were forced to make their first substitution after 34th minutes played, an injured De Boer unable to continue and Wilfred Bouma taking his place in central defence – with Cocu handed the captain’s armband.

Holland showed no intention of slowing down after the break and could have taken the lead.

Van Nistelrooy latched on to Robben’s precise cross from the right but his close-range header went over the crossbar.

Sweden had the best opportunity of the game on 56 minutes when Cocu was forced to clear off the line following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s shot on target.

Defender Jaap Stam had slipped inside the area, allowing the unmarked Ajax forward a clear shot – the Dutch goalkeeper out of the picture having come off his line in an attempt to clear the previous cross.

Just after the hour, Advocaat made his second substitution – right-back Johnny Heitinga replacing midfielder Davids.

Van Nistelrooy then chested down a long pass and Isaksson was forced to come off his line to meet the striker, whose attempt glanced off the goalkeeper and rolled past the right post.

In the 74th minute Ljungberg showed his formidable skills, after controlling a powerful cross from Svensson, but his close-range shot went wide.

With four minutes left Dutch forward Roy Makaay replaced Van der Meyde as Advocaat attempted to give his side more power in attack.

Holland were desperately looking for the late goal and nearly got it after Van Nistelrooy latched onto a fantastic cross from Van Bronckhorst but his header went high.

Makaay’s shot from the distance went over of Isaksson’s goal, which was Holland’s last opportunity before the referee called an end to normal time.

Inside the first minute of extra-time Van Nistelrooy’s left-footed shot went well wide and two minutes later Robben could have given Holland the lead from outside the penalty area.

The Swedish goalkeeper went down on one knee but the ball glanced off his arm and crossed in front of goal before hitting the left post.

With 10 minutes played Isaksson made up for his earlier error by making a formidable save from Seedorf’s powerful strike.

Sweden had their first opportunity just before the break but substitute Kim Kallstrom’s free-kick was way off target.

Seconds later the same player should have scored but his shot inside the box after a formidable run from the right hit the side-netting.

The second period of extra-time could still not produce a winner and the match went to the dreaded penalty shoot-out.