Holland beat Serbia in Euro Under-21 final
Holland win Euro Under-21s
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Saturday, 23, Jun 2007 09:57
Holland have eased to a 4-1 victory in the Under-21 European Championship final against Serbia at a rain-soaked Groningen this evening.
Garnering the third consecutive finals victory for Dutch teams in the tournament; the Holland team put on its most polished performance of the championship to sweep aside brave but technically inferior Serbian opponents.
Despite a late rally from the Serbian Under-21 side, with Dragan Mrdja heading in from close range with 13 minutes remaining, the home side never appeared seriously troubled.
Showing composure on the ball in all areas of the pitch, the Dutch outfit dictated the tempo of the game in the first period, with the first goal in the 16th minute encapsulating the overall composure.
Moving into the Serbian final third, the influential Daniel De Ridder hit a perfectly weighted through-ball with the outside of his right foot, which Otman Bakkal controlled neatly before slotting it past the Serbian goalkeeper.
After the break, Serbia persevered in an attempt to get an equaliser, but Holland profited from the extra space afforded to them and doubled their advantage in the 60th minute, with Arsenal transfer target Ryan Babel slotting home after more good work by De Ridder.
The 20-year-old Feyenoord flier was also influential in his team's third goal, displaying neat skills before finding Maceo Rigters, who scored his fourth goal of the tournament with a composed finish in the 67th minute.
Serbian chances had all but evaporated on the hour mark after Aleksandar Kolarov was sent off after a second bookable offence, flying in to make a rash challenge on man-of-the-match Babel.
An accomplished performance was sealed minutes after Mrdja's consolation goal, with substitute Luigi Bruins slotting home from close range, atoning for earlier Dutch profligacy in front of goal.