Euro 2000 quarter final - Holland v Yugoslavia Preview

Euro 2000 co hosts Holland meet Yugoslavia in a Rotterdam quarter final that promises to be the best game of the second round so far.

Yugoslavia are still recovering from their classic 4-3 defeat by Spain in the final Group C match last Tuesday. They have been fined £50,000 after referee Gilles Veissiere was hit by a coin and threatened on the pitch by two fans in the narrow defeat.

Their progress at the Euro finals has been dogged by poor discipline with eight yellow cards three sendings off already and any repeat of these excitable tactics in the Feyenoord stadium will see Holland seize a crucial advantage.

Both previous quarter finals have seen the losing side go down to ten men and the Yugoslavs need to keep their tempers in check as they are bound to see some decisions go against them. Holland are after all playing at home but Yugoslavia have in the past poor refereeing to motivate them and produce their best play but it is a fine line and while the collective strength of Holland may be fragile, Yugoslavia will lose if they lose their cool.

The Spain defeat can be written off as an extraordinary one-off - the sort of match that teams get involved in once every twenty years or so - and the Yugoslav defence has been playing well so far. Even so it has still conceded seven goals in three matches and will come under heavy pressure from the Dutch as they are roared forward by their fans.

Djukic has been outstanding in the middle of the defence so far but Yugoslavia will need more from their midfield to stay in touch with Holland..

Vladimir Jugovic has not been playing well and Dragan Stojkovic had a tough time against the Spanish midfield. He is now fading as an influence as the tournament wears on but Predrag Mijatovic is on great form.

Mijatovic has been working tirelessly for the team and very effectively too. The Dutch defence has not been tested much so far but the Czech Republic dominated the home team for long periods and were unlucky not to win their first Group D match. Mijatovic and left winger Drulovic should be able to find some space against Stam and Reiziger allowing the top scorer at Euro 2000 to show off his finishing prowess.

Two good seasons in Spain for Savo Milosevic have led to him claiming four goals so far at the Euro finals and his physical battle with Stam could prove crucial.

Yesterday Italian champions SS Lazio made a £12 million bid to sign the striker and he could be distracted by such offers but his close range finishing skills should see him get some chances.

Yugoslavia have the passing game and the technique to match the Dutch hosts but the hard tackling of Edgar Davids is likely to see tempers lost in this match and Holland could take advantage.

It is hard to see Patrick Kluivert not getting chances to score today and Marc Overmars is due an influential game for the Holland team.

They can also use Dennis Bergkamp and Boudewijn Zenden to hit in crosses and the pressure that Holland will be able to exert on the Yugoslav defence with their patient passing game. Yugoslavia will need the game of their lives if they are to hold out but of all the quarter finals this match up looks the closest with Holland being taken into extra time but winning in the end.

Half Time score - 0-0

Full Time score 0-0 - golden goal winner for Holland

First scorer - Patrick Kluivert

Number of corners - 16