The Danish team can have no complaints about losing 3-0 to the Czech Republic. In a poor first half, they were the better side, and had some chances, but didn't take them. The Danes had almost two thirds of the possession, but went in at half time with nothing to show for it. It was clear that the Czechs, who have been impressive in this tournament and were the only side to get maximum points in the group stage, weren't going to play as badly after the break.

And so it proved. Only 4 minutes after the re-start, the Czechs went 1-0 up with a header from Jan Koller. And on 63 and 65 minutes, two classy goals by Milan Baros put the tie beyond the Danes, whose supporters were stunned into silence. The Czechs now face Greece in the semi-finals, and must be clear favourites to win that game.

Apart from England v Portugal, the semi-finals have been disappointing for the football purists, but that is so often the case because of the tension surrounding the match. Yet for some reason, the first half of this match didn't even seem to have that - both sides looked as if they were taking part in a training match. The crowd did a few Mexican waves, a clear sign that there wasn't much interesting happening on the pitch.

The Czechs are my team of the tournament so far. They may not be the best technically, but they come good when it matters. A Holland v Czech Republic final would be nice, but first the semis.

11:01:52 PM    

120 minutes of football couldn't separate Sweden and Holland: 0-0. Neither could the standard five penalties: 4-4. So it was into sudden death. Sweden shot first and Edwin van der Sar saved Olof Mellberg's kick. Then 20-year-old Arjen Robben, one of the players of the tournament and bound for Chelsea next season, took the 6th Dutch penalty - and the stadium went wild. Afterwards he said he wasn't nervous, and his only thought was that he was going to score.

The celebrations after the match might have led you to believe they'd won the Championship rather than reached a semi-final, but you have to understand a bit of football history to appreciate what it means to the Dutch. The last four times they've been in a penalty shootout, they've lost every one. This ends a frustrating sequence, and gives the players and fans belief that this time their luck has changed.

I remember the excitement of 1988, the last time the Dutch won the European championship. It was just a year after I moved here, and the passion shown by the public - not just the diehard football fans - made quite an impression on me. Can the Dutch team do it again? A week ago, nobody gave them much of a chance. But after tonight, why not? With so many of the pre-tournament favourites already eliminated, they should really go for it. By their own admission, they didn't play especially well tonight. But I think they'll be really up for the semi-final.

12:02:01 AM