Dutch joy after penalty shootout
FARO, Portugal -- The Netherlands won a dramatic penalty shootout against Sweden to earn a Euro 2004 semifinal against the hosts Portugal.
Rising young star Arjen Robben struck the decisive sudden death penalty for the Dutch after Edwin van der Sar had saved Olaf Mellberg's effort with the scores tied at four penalties and one miss apiece.
The match in Faro had ended scoreless after normal and added time. It was the first success for the Dutch in five penalty shootouts.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic also missed for Sweden, while Phillip Cocu hit the post for the Dutch.
Deadlock after two hours of football on a stamina-sapping Algarve night ended in the dreaded but morbidly fascinating spot kicks.
"That is the greatest moment of my life," said Robben, whose performances here have shown how much Manchester United have missed out on after he opted to go to Chelsea instead.
"To score the decisive penalty in such a big tournament is amazing. But I wasn't really afraid indeed I was very confident.
"Finally we have won in a shootout, today we fought to the end with all the team staying positive," he added.
Tepid opening
The opening half proved a largely anaemic affair with both sides keeping a tight rein in midfield and cautious about throwing men forward.
Later hero Robben often provided the spark for the Dutch on both wings and he was the source of the first meaningful goal attempt as he cut in and forced a fine save from Andreas Isaksson on nine minutes.
Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy had a shot blocked as the Dutch pressed, but he cut a sometimes solitary figure in attack.
A long range effort from Cocu troubled Isaksson more than it should as he punched it clear from the edge of his six yard box.
Sweden also offered little in the way of adventure and it was close to halftime before they created a clear cut shooting chance from open play with Anders Svensson's effort blocked.
The Dutch lost captain Frank de Boer through injury after 35 minutes to be replaced by Wilfred Bouma, the defender coming off the worse after a nasty foul on Fredrik Ljungberg that left both men limping.
The second half begun with Robben sending over a dangerous cross that van Nistelrooy headed over and Isaksson later had to be brave to deny the prolific striker with his legs.
Sporadic attacks
Swedish attacks were sporadic but they came close to a breakthrough when Jaap Stam scuffed Henrik Larsson's header and Ibrahimovic saw his snap shot cleared off the line.
Ljungberg also shot neatly on the turn but his effort flew wide of van der Sar's post.
With extra time looming van Nistelrooy again went close with a header from Giovanni van Bronckhurst's fierce cross.
Two minutes into extra time saw the Dutch closer still to making a breakthrough as the impressive Robben shot from 20 meters and Isaksson fumbled. The ball cannoned off the post, just evading substitute striker Roy Makaay.
Isaksson proved more reliable as he parried away Clarence Seedorf's shot and when the ball was played back in van Nistelrooy volleyed over.
Sweden's best moments came near the end of extra time as first Larsson and then Ljungberg struck the crossbar and post in close order, while Aston Villa's Olaf Mellberg headed wide from a corner.
