29th June 2008
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DUTCH CRUSH GERMANS TO END LONG WAIT
Netherlands overpowered old foes Germany 4-1 to claim the EURO 2008 title. The Dutch were two goals ahead within the first 16 minutes, van Persie's thunderous shot deceiving Jens Leahmann to give them the lead. If van Persie went for power, Sneijder's goal for the second was all about placement, his precise shot giving Leahmann no chance.
Van Nistelrooy volleyed home the third, van Persie headed in the fourth, before Michael Ballack's diving header pulled a goal back for a lackluster Germany. Netherlands were too sharp for Germany in attack and were also more efficient in midfield and more assured in defence than their European rivals. Ooijer was outstanding in central defence, even finding time to almost score with an audacious free-kick just before half-time, while full-back Boulahrouz played a part in all four goals.
Those early two goals owed much to some impressive build-up play. For the first, Ooijer's elegant pass found Boulahrouz, who slipped the ball into the feet of van Persie. The Arsenal striker dropped his shoulders to go past Phillip Lahm and then unleashed a shot which flew past Leahmann.
Netherlands's second was even better, both in construction and finish. Once again Boulahrouz was involved, the Dutch full-back picking out Robben with a sweeping pass from right to left. Robben fed the ball to Sneijder, who placed a perfect shot past Leahmann into the corner of the net.
Germany twice went close, Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar just getting to the ball before Miroslav Klose, while a Torsten Frings shot went narrowly wide. But it was Netherlands who continued to create chances with monotonous regularity, and all to often score them. Two minutes into the second half, van Nistelrooy arrived in the penalty area to volley a Boulahrouz cross past Leahmann.
Soon after, Arjen Robben drifted in from the left to rattle Leahmann's crossbar as Germany struggled to contain a rampant Netherlands.
Their fourth goal was initiated by more Ooijer trickery, the Blackburn Rovers defender gliding past a succession of tackles before finding Arjen Robben on the left wing. The ball eventually reached Boulahrouz on the other flank and his cross was headed in powerfully by Robin van Persie. The header ensured the Arsenal striker finished the tournament as top scorer with six goals.
Skipper Michael Ballack bravely headed in Germany's goal following Marcel Jansen's cross, while shots from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski tested Edwin Van Der sar.
This Netherland's first trophy in twenty years . In 1988 Netherlands defeated Russia in the finals of the European Championships and now they defeated Germany.
