Euro 2004 Day Fifteen

Another quarterfinal match, another dramatic penalty shootout.

In a game many thought would be a high-scoring affair, neither Sweden nor the Netherlands made it onto the score sheet, and watched as shots hit posts left and right, and spectacular saves were made by both keepers. Perhaps more so than any match during the competition these were evenly matched sides, and it was sad to see one team have to lose.

Freddie Ljunberg seemed determined to see his side through to the next round, but Van Bronckhorst let him know it wouldn't be easy.

Later in the match Ruud Van Nistelrooy had a shouting match with Olof Mellberg following a dive in the box.

Edgar Davids sure didn't seem interested in the match, and he was subbed off early in the second half.

Sweden's deadly strike force of Larsson and Ibrahimovic couldn't find the net today.

In the penatly shootout Ruud scored first and had a few words of encouragement for his keeper, Edwin Van Der Sar.

Van Der Sar didn't have to do anything but watch Ibrahimovic sky this kick over the net.

However, the Dutch keeper came up big with a save in the sudden death portion of the PKs, stopping Mellberg.

Young Dutchman Arjen Robben calmly converted his PK to send the Netherlands to a semifinal matchup with host nation Portugal. The PK victory broke a string of 4 conssecutive penalty shootout losses (The EURO '92 semi-final against Denmark; the EURO '96� quarter-final against France; the 1998 FIFA World Cup semi-final against Brazil; the UEFA EURO 2000� semi-final against Italy).

Photos:

1. The Sea of Oranje are some dedicated footy fans.

2. Pick yourself up and play

3. Farewell Freddie, I'm sure gonna miss your fans, particularly the cute Swedish ladies.

4. Take a bow, you deserve it after losing so many PK shootouts.