EURO 2008 (Gr C) NETHERLANDS 2 - ROMANIA 0
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17.06.08 Holland 2-Romania 0 *Second-half goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie ended Romania's hopes of a quarter-final place in Berne as the Netherlands rounded off an impressive Group C campaign with a third successive victory. Romania knew three points would ensure they joined their opponents in the last eight, but Victor Pi?urc?'s side were always on the back foot and Huntelaar, having passed up one presentable opening in the first half, clinically guided in Ibrahim Afellay's teasing right-wing cross nine minutes into the second. The win was sealed for a largely second-string Oranje team with three minutes left as Van Persie drove in his second goal in as many games. With progress already assured following victories against Italy and France, Marco van Basten named a much-changed lineup with only Khalid Boulahrouz and Orlando Engelaar retaining their places. That was little relief for Romania, however, given that the reshuffle brought Arjen Robben, Van Persie and Huntelaar into the XI, and the Netherlands started the match showing their usual command of possession, Romania having to hector and hassle for every touch. Nonetheless, the best the Dutch had to offer in the early exchanges was an Engelaar shot from distance which Cristian Chivu bravely charged down. If the key to tackling Van Basten's side was to deny them space, it seemed Romania had found it with everyone chipping in to cut the Oranje supply lines. The Netherlands were not held entirely in check, as Van Persie headed wide from an Engelaar cross. Romania then threatened for the first time, Adrian Mutu collecting a throw-in and twisting and turning to work space only to pull his shot across the face of goal. Next, Boulahrouz got behind the Tricolorii back line on the right, cutting the ball back for Huntelaar, but the AFC Ajax striker lifted his effort over. Robben was soon guilty of a more glaring miss, running on to a Huntelaar flick only to nudge his attempt wide of Bogdan Lobon?'s right-hand post. Paul Codrea may have been equally disappointed to have missed the target after R?zvan Ra?'s teasing pass from the left wrong-footed the Dutch defence as half-time approache. The Group C winners took up where they had left off after the interval and might have broken through within four minutes of the restart when a long ball found Van Persie with only Gabriel Tama? for company. But while the Arsenal FC attacker spun his marker, Lobon? turned his low shot round the post brilliantly. The goalkeeper had no chance five minutes later, however, Afellay's ball from the right finding its way through a crowded penalty area for Huntelaar to guide in expertly. With news filtering through that Italy had taken a 2-0 lead against France, Romania's situation now looked desperate. Still unable to master possession, they continually found themselves on the defensive but while flying interceptions and timely challenges kept Pi?urc?'s men in contention, it was goals that were needed. Mutu set up substitute Florentin Petre for an overhead kick that looped over but for all their efforts, Romania were not to conjure up a second Miracle of Berne at the stadium that hosted West Germany's 1954 FIFA World Cup triumph, Van Persie underlining the class divide with the fiercely-struck second goal. The Netherlands will play either Sweden or Russia in the last eight in Basel on Saturday, while Romania finish in third position. *Des buts de Klaas-Jan Huntelaar et Robin van Persie ont mis fin aux espoirs de la Roumanie à Berne. Les Pays-Bas, eux, terminent la phase de groupes avec trois victoires d'affilée dans le Groupe C. *Klaas-Jan Huntelaar und Robin van Persie ließen mit ihren Toren in der zweiten Halbzeit die Träume der Rumänen vom Einzug ins Viertelfinale platzen. Die Niederländer beendeten die Gruppe C mit dem dritten Sieg im dritten Spiel. *Holanda ha certificado su pase para los cuartos de final tras derrotar a Rumanía por 2-0 en el último partido del Grupo C de la UEFA EURO 2008?. Los goles del triunfo llegaron en la segunda mitad obra de Klaas Jan Huntelaar y Robin Van Persie. Rumanía tuvo sus opciones en los primeros 45 minutos, pero Mutu no estuvo acertado de cara a la portería rival. *Klaas Jan Huntelaar e Robin van Persie firmano nella ripresa le reti che mettono fine alle speranze della Romania di giocarsi il quarto di finale a Berna e regalano il terzo successo consecutivo all'Olanda nel Gruppo C.
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