Sweden v Holland - MATCH REPORT

Robben the Dutch master as Sweden crash out

The Netherlands knocked Sweden out of Euro 2004 and claimed a semi-final match-up against Portugal after a nerve tingling penalty shoot-out on Saturday.

Swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg (L) vies with Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids, 26 June 2004 at the Algarve stadium in Faro, during the Euro 2004 quarter final match between Sweden and The Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Sven NACKSTRAND

Predictions of a high scoring encounter between two countries boasting some of the deadliest marksmen in the business were wide of the mark as the two sets of defences more than earned their salaries.

Deadlocked after two hours of football on a stamina-sapping Algarve night ended in the dreaded but morbidly fascinating spot kicks, with the Dutch prevailing 5-4 with Chelsea-bound Arjen Robben getting the decisive goal.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had missed Sweden's third but that was cancelled out when Dutch skipper Philip Cocu's hit the left post.

Sweden's skipper Olof Mellberg then had his saved by Edwin van der Sar before Robben coolly stepped up to slot the ball to the right of Andreas Isaksson.

This was handsome compensation after the agony the Dutch suffered when losing out on penalties to Italy in the semi-finals at Euro 2000.

Penalties had been preceded by extra time of two 15 minute halves in which Ruud Van Nistelrooy had the ball in the back of the net only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

And Freddie Ljungberg had his head in his hands after he had a superb strike ricochet off Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar's left post.

The Dutch now meet Portugal in the first semi-final on Wednesday while Greece await the winner of the fourth and final quarter-final on Sunday between Denmark and the Czech Republic.