Dutch stroll to Under-21 triumph

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GRONINGEN, Netherlands -- The Netherlands strolled to a comfortable 4-1 win over Serbia to become European Under-21 champions in Groningen.

The Serbs' chances effectively dissolved in a two-minute spell just after the hour mark. They had been putting on pressure after trailing 1-0 at the break but failed to clear Daniel de Ridder's low cross from the right and Ryan Babel, thought to be interesting Arsenal, swept in the Netherlands' second.

Within 60 seconds Babel was chopped down by Aleksandar Kolarov who, having been booked earlier, was promptly sent off.

The Dutch had made a bright start to the final in heavy rain and went in front in the 17th minute, when poor marking allowed Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal time and space to shoot past Damir Kahriman from close range, after a penetrating right wing cross by de Ridder.

The home side wasted other chances before Serbia rattled the woodwork at the other end.

Once they were 2-0 up and facing 10 men the Netherlands assumed command. In the 67th minute Maceo Rigters was put through by Babel and squeezed his shot under Kahriman.

Four minutes later it should have been 4-0, when Babel was chopped down in the area, but his penalty kick was too close to Kahriman's right and the keeper saved.

Serbia made the most of that let off by pulling a goal back 11 minutes from time when Dragan Mrdja headed in, but with three minutes left Luigi Bruins added a fourth for the Dutch from close range.

Almost immediately the home team were fortunate not be reduced to 10 men when Roy Beerens was shown a yellow card when he could have been dismissed for retaliating after having his heels clipped.

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