Penalties!

Euro 92, Holland vs Denmark, van Basten.
Euro 96, Holland vs France, Seedorf and someone else.
World Cup 98, Holland vs Brazil, Cocu and R de Boer.
Euro 2000, Holland vs Italy, F de Boer, Stam, Bosvelt.

A list of Holland going out on penalties and the ones who missed them. Holland has probably the worst record with penalties in big tournaments. Even worse than the English apprantly. So come quarterfinals, the last thing the Dutch want to do is go all the way to penalties.

The game wasn't really exciting as the pace was low. Holland created some opportunities but failed to create a goal. Likewise with Sweden, although overall the Dutch were just a little better than the Swedes.

So into extra-time and then penalties. Among the 11 Dutch players on the field, only van Nistelrooy and Makaay are real penalty takers. Seedorf is a big no-no. Cocu and Stam missed previously. And van der Sar is not Ricardo. That leaves only 7 players left. And Advocaat has said that they haven't trained for penalties. Oh oh, I was already expecting the worse.

Kallstrom first. Goal but vdSar guessed right. Van Nistelrooy steps up. Goal, convincingly. Larsson. *boom* in the right upper corner. Then Johnny Heitinga. I was sure he's gonna take one and make it as he has a good shooting technique. True, and another goal for Holland. Ibrahimovic for the Swedes. And he shoots it high!! Reiziger then. Again, same thing as Heitinga as Isaksson guessed wrong again. Ljungberg up and hits the bar, the ball bounced against vdSar's back and it went in. How lucky! Then Cocu. He missed in 98 and now he misses again. The ball went against the post. It's all equal. Willhelmsson scores the next one, as does Makaay. So 4-4 after 5 penalties each. Up steps Ollof Mellberg. Van der Sar stands on his line and cheekily points to his right. Mellberg shoots to his right but vdSar has guessed right and saves!!! Advantage for Holland. Up comes Robben and he cooly slots it in. Holland are through to the semis.

I'm so relieved and happy!!! Partyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!