Bitter orange in Amsterdam as Portugal end Dutch hopes

Dutch fans look dejected after watching their team lose 2-1 to Portugal, 30 June 2004 at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, during the Euro 2004 semi final match between Portugal and The Netherlands

Disappointed Dutch fans in Amsterdam tore off their trademark orange shirts and rolled up the national flags but remained philosophical about their team's 2-1 defeat against Portugal in the semi-finals of Euro 2004 on.

"I took off my shirt because I am very disappointed, but we did fight," said a gloomy fan who watched the game in a bar in Amsterdam's trendy Westerpark neighbourhood.

"We lost, but we went down fighting. I could cry but what can you do?" his friend Greg said.

"I'm going to drown my sorrows tonight," he added.

After the defeat bars emptied quickly in Amsterdam.

Out on the street one man took down the Dutch flag from his balcony.

Before the match the Dutch were brimming with hope of reaching the final and going on to emulate the Netherlands side who win the European title in 1988.

For weeks cafes and even whole streets have been decorated with orange streamers, Dutch flags and photos of the team's stars including Ruud van Nistelrooy and Edgar Davids.

Early on Wednesday the streets of Amsterdam filled up with football fans dressed in orange shirts, wearing the same orange wigs and clogs that have adorned the stadiums of the tournament in Portugal.

As soon as the whistle blew for the first half streets were deserted. No cars and only one or two bicycles ventured outside as millions of Dutch huddled in front of the television at home or in one of the many bars that had set up big screens to watch the match.

Many organisations, including the Dutch parliament, had called off all meetings for Wednesday evening and businesses closed early.

Dutch traffic authorities were stunned that there was practically no rush hour on the morning of the game because many people had taken a day off to prepare for the big game.

In the "Clock" dozens of supporters kept the hope alive during Portugal's first two goals. After a Portugal defender Jorge Andrade scored an own goal in the second half the mood grew more festive but in the end the disappointment was palpable.

After the match the streets were deserted with many fans hurrying home, head down, in stark contrast to the street party that erupted after the Dutch beat Sweden in the quarter-finals last Saturday.