Wary Dutch aren’t ignorant about Euro upsets

But coach Marco van Basten isn’t taking anything for granted, particularly after a clinical attacking performance by the Russians.

“We have to prepare for heavy weather,” Van Basten said. A win by Russia wouldn’t be the first surprise of the tournament. Germany came into Basel a clear underdog, but dominated Thursday’s quarterfinal and came away a deserved winner, beating Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo 3-2.

And in a championship that threw up a winner like Greece four years ago, anything goes.

If the Dutch have been on a high throughout, with lopsided wins over world champion Italy and France, Russia came back from despair after a 4-1 opening loss to Spain.

Dutch coach Guus Hiddink reinvigorated the team to beat defending champion Greece and Sweden without conceding a goal.

“He has done a great job. I am happy for him,” said Van Basten of his counterpart, who took the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup.

He will only know exactly how happy by Saturday night’s final whistle. What once was a cheerful bunch of players has turned somber since the prematurely born daughter of defender Khalid Boulahrouz died in a Lausanne hospital on Wednesday.

The defender has said he wants to retain his starting spot for a fourth straight match despite the agony, and, however difficult it is, Van Basten said a page had to be turned.

“We all have to know that we are in the midst of a European championship and that a very important game awaits us,” Van Basten said.

If the Dutch win, then either Spain or Italy awaits them in Vienna next Thursday.