Finland v Netherlands
Finland (5) v Netherlands (7)
Starting with great spirit shown between the teams, horizontal clenched fist salutes of comradeship from the Dutch players to the Finland players and embraces.
This game is a demonstration of passing, until Netherlands break a hard, tense two minutes to score the first goal. More passing. That Finland passing move must have had over 20 passes, but it ends in a corner.The match is being played in the Dutch half, with patient Finnish passing. Netherlands score against the run of play, and then again to go 3 - 0. An interception, a pass or two, and much more clinical finishing.
Finally Finland score, a reward for all their patience and fantastic passing, but Netherlands show that it's finishing that makes the difference, quickly taking the score in moments to 5 - 1.
The referee and the Dutch team are ready for the second half, but Finland are still huddled in a team talk. When the second half at last gets under way, they mean business. There's less passing and more urgency, and it brings rewards.
The score hits 6 - 4, Finland's fourth goal a demonstration of massive strength and speed as the player holds off two hard tackles.
And then Finland are back into their passing game. Surely they'll shoot? But no, another pass, a pass, and then finally a shot to take the score to 6 - 5 and a chance to level the scores by the whistle.
But in the end, its the finishing skills of the Netherlands that seal victory, the Dutch player striking the ball into the net just on the edge of the D.
Quentin Carruthers