Russian players celebrate their victory over the Netherlands in the quarterfinal of the Euro 2008 Championships in Basel, Switzerland, on June 21, 2008. Russia won 3-1 and was qualified for the semifinal.
Substitute Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin scored late in extra time to give Russia a deserved 3-1 win over Netherlands and a semifinal berth at the 2008 European Championships on Saturday.
With two sides tying 1-1 after 90 minutes, Torbinski touched in an Arshavin pass 22 minutes into extra time and the talisman added a fourth himself four minutes later to leave Marco Van Basten's Oranje weeping.
Guss Hiddink had made history by guiding the Russians to their first major tournament appearance in the knockout stages since competing solely as Russia in 1991 and now his men went even further into the last four.
Holland, high flying in group stage with one hundred percent record including stylish wins over Italy and France, lacked the sparks with which they had earned the fans heart from around the world while the Russians showed more determination and penetration in a pretty much open game.
Van Basten, who went to Russians' locker room congratulating their success, admitted that Russians were the better squad tonight but considered physical problem as the main cause leading to the Netherlands' under-par performance.
"We had physical problem in the extra time," said the former Ajax and Ac Milan striker, who will leave Dutch national team after the tournament.
"We had one week before the quarterfinal. Normally we would be more in shape but we didn't see it tonight. It's a pity.
"I have to say Russians were simply better than we were," he added.
Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko shoots during the quarterfinal against the Netherlands at the Euro 2008 Championships in Basel, Switzerland, on June 21, 2008.
After both teams squandering dozens of opportunities, Roman Pavlyuchenko opened scoring for Russia in the 56th minute as the forward continued his superb form with a third goal in the tournament.