Russia sprung a quarter final surprise as they outplayed Holland in another enthralling Euro 2008 contest.

Most pundits expected Holland to overpower the Russians, but Guus Hiddink’s side proved they had the big-game temperament to go with their superb technical ability.

Russia’s star players, Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko, were the difference between the two sides, with Arshavin in particular proving difficult to deal with as he ran the show for Russia.

Pavlyuchenko gave Russia the lead 11 minutes into the second half, volleying home a Semak cross at the near post.

Holland came back, and finally found an equaliser with just four minutes remaining. Ruud Van Nistelrooy stretching to stab home Wesley Sneijder’s swerving free-kick.

There was controversy in stoppage time when Denis Kolodin was red carded by referee Lubos Michel, but after consulting with the linesman, who had ruled the ball out of play before the Russian’s challenge, the referee reversed his decision and allowed Kolodin to continue.

Russia, and Arshavin, dominated extra time as the Dutch tired and the Russian playmaker sealed victory by crossing for Dmitri Torbinski to net the second, then bursting through the tiring Dutch defence to fire under Edwin Van Der Sar for a match-winning third with just four minutes of extra time remaining.

The Dutch looked weary and struggled to match the levels of performance we’d seen from them in the group stages, while Russia appear to be growing into the tournament after their first-game defeat by Spain. Since that match Russia have played some of the best attacking football of the tournament.

They will face either Spain or Italy, who clash in Vienna to discover who will be the final semi-final participant. Whoever makes it through, they’ll have a major obstacle to overcome if they’re to make it to the final. The Russians are now serious contenders for the title - and they’re going to take some stopping.