Euro 2008: Quarter-Final Round-up

There were mixed results for the Liverpool players still involved in Euro 2008 competition.

Dirk Kuyt found himself on the teary-eyed side of that spectrum. He continued his starting role for the Dutch and played out a tense opening half against Russia. In the intermission, he was replaced by Arsenal’s more attack-minded Robin van Persie.

Despite scoring a late equalizer through Ruud van Nistelrooy, Holland were undone by superior tactics from fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink and a higher workrate from the Russians. The final score was 3-1.

Liverpool’s Spanish Armada ended the quarter finals in much better spirits. Going up against an Italian team they hadn’t beaten for over 8 decades, the Spanish press were apprehensive despite glowing performances in the group stages.

Fernando Torres started up top alongside David Villa, but neither could break through a very deep Italian defense. Luckily for them, Italy also failed to break Iker Casillas’s sphere of dominance either.

Torres was substituted in the 85th minute as Spain sought a game winner, and had to join his Anfield teammates Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina, and Alvaro Arbeloa to watch a nail-biting penalty shoot out.

Casillas once more came out tops to see Spain through to the semifinals where they will come up against Russia.