Robben, Sneijder score to secure happy send-off to Euro 2008 for Dutch team

Real Madrid teammates Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored Sunday to give the Netherlands a 2-0 win over Wales in its send-off game for the European Championship.

With a dash of sheer pace in the 35th minute, Robben picked up a loose ball in midfield, took the square Welsh defense by surprise and coolly slotted the ball under goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Sneijder doubled the score in the 53rd with a curling free kick from 24 meters that sailed in the upper right corner.

It was enough for a rousing goodbye by 50,000 fans on Dutch soil as Oranje heads for Switzerland. It was the last home game for Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who ends his international career after the tournament, and coach Marco van Basten, who moves to Ajax next season.

For some spells, the Dutch produced the famed "Clockwork Orange" play, with cocky moves from Robben and creative midfield passes from Rafael van der Vaart and Sneijder.

"At times, we played very good soccer," said Van Basten.

At times, Robben's confidence bordered on selfishness as he squandered a couple of chances from tight angles while teammates were fully open in the center.

He admitted as much, but was still the standout player of the day.

"I'm ready for it," Robben said. "I have been out for a while and now I'm ready. I feel very fit and very strong."

The Dutch team didn't have to count on center forward Ruud van Nistelrooy, who completes the Madrid creative triangle but had an indifferent game.

"You have to see they were standing with six men around him," Van Basten said of Van Nistelrooy.

The Dutch arrive at their camp in Lausanne on Tuesday and will have Arsenal winger Robin van Persie training with the group for the first time after a prolonged thigh injury. It will open up the offensive options even further.

Despite its physical strength, Wales lacked the fundamental skills to pressure the defense, leaving it unclear how the much-criticized Dutch back four will stand up to the firepower of Italy on June 9.

The Dutch also play France and Romania in Group C, which looks to be the toughest of the four groups.

In three preparation games, though, including a 3-0 win over Ukraine and a 1-1 draw with Denmark, the Dutch defense has conceded a single goal.

In the second half, Van Basten changed half his team. The industrious Dirk Kuyt certainly proved to be a valuable asset for high-pressure matches.

In the first half, Orlando Engelaar again left a good impression as a controlling midfielder, increasing the chances that the FC Twente player, with only five international appearance, will be facing the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso in a week's time.

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Lineups:

Netherlands: Edwin van der Sar, Andre Ooijer, John Heitinga (Nigel de Jong, 46), Joris Mathijsen (Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, 79), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Tim de Cler, 46), Demy de Zeeuw (Mario Melchiot, 46), Orlando Engelaar (Dirk Kuyt, 46), Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart (Ibrahim Affelay, 66), Arjen Robben, Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Sam Riccketts (Andrew Crofts, 77), Lewin Nyatana, Ashley Williams, Craig Morgan, Chris Gunter, David Edwards (Ched Evans, 56), Carl Robinson (Jack Collison, 46), Jason Koumas (Sam Vokes, 73), Joe Ledley (Neal Eardley, 88), Freddy Eastwood (Craig Bellamy, 56).

(taken from: here)