Euro 2008: Jubilant Dutch celebrate
The Netherlands moves through to the knock-out stage of the European Cup with a 100% record after beating Romania 2-0 in the third match of the group stage.
The Dutch newspaper headlines are again jubilant as goals from Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie gave Oranje three points to add to the six already taken from victories over France and Italy.
Romania had to win to qualify. In the other group C match, Italy beat France 2-0, meaning Italy also goes through.
The Netherlands leaves the so-called Group of Death with a goal tally of 9-1, making them one of the favourites to take the title.
Oranje has now reached the knock-out stage of six successive European championships. It is also the first time a country has won all three group matches twice. Oranje did the same in 2000, beating the Czech Republic, Denmark and France, the Volkskrant reports.
Oranje coach Marco van Basten changed nine players in his starting line-up for Tuesday’s match. Only Khalid Boulahrouz and Orlando Engelaar were in the same position as at the start of the other two games.
The Netherlands quarter final match takes place in Basel on June 21 against either Guus Hiddink’s Russia or Sweden.
Oranje is now the most favoured team of host nations Switzerland and Austria, according to the website of football world body Uefa.
According to a poll in three Swiss newspapers, 22% of the Swiss support Holland now their own team has been eliminated from the competition. And in Austria, 36% of football fans have put their weight behind the Dutch, the Uefa website reports.
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