Russia into semis after 3-1 win over Dutch

By Mark Ledsom

BASEL (Reuters) - Russia grabbed an unexpected place in the Euro 2008 semi-finals with a thoroughly deserved 3-1 extra-time win over Netherlands on Saturday.

Coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, the Russians finished off their exhausted opponents with late goals from substitute Dmitry Torbinsky and playmaker Andrei Arshavin after the teams had finished level at 1-1 by the end of regular time.

The Russians will face the winners of Sunday's quarter-final between Italy and Spain for a place in the Vienna showpiece.

Russia had taken a deserved lead through Roman Pavlyuchenko 11 minutes into the second half but were pegged back by a Ruud van Nistelrooy header with just four minutes remaining.

But in the extra period Russia overran their opponents.

"I think technically we were better and tactically we filled the gaps we had to," said Hiddink.

"Mentally, I have to pay the team a big compliment. After we gave up the equaliser the team reacted superbly. Normally against a good team it's over then but we reacted superbly."

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