In sports, small details make the difference and, in the quarter-final between Brazil and the Netherlands, these details were with the latter’s side. The Netherlands defeated Brazil 2-0 in another great game in Karteros Beach Sports Centre, to book a place in the semi-finals and a tie against Hungary.

The Netherlands kept their composure in the dying moments of both sets and were the ones who celebrated in the end.

In the first set, Heuten scored a two-point goal in the last seconds to make it 18:17 and give her team a 1-0 lead.

The second set was even more dramatic, like a Greek tragedy when redemption comes in the end for the protagonists.

With the score at 20:19 in Netherlands’ favour, Soares tried a desperate shot to force a third shoot-out set. Heuten was penalized in her attempt to stop Soares with no time left on the clock, but Meerstad saved Barbosa’s effort, to lead the Dutch to the semis.

BRAZIL – NETHERLANDS 0-2 (17:18, 19:20)

BRAZIL: Petrucci, Mussato 5, Barbosa 15, Rocco 6, Gomez da Silva, De Oliveira, Masado 6, Costa da Silva, Soares 4, Morais.

NETHERLANDS: Meerstad, Heuten 12, Jongejan 8, Blom 2, Van Den Ηoek, Marsman 10, Stege 6, Luis, De Jager, Olde.

Referees: Bartkowiak - Lakomy (Poland) S: 0-2

Quotes

Ronald Thijssen (Netherlands - Coach)

"It was a very tough, intense match that was decided by a scant one goal. The tournament goes super for us, we are in the semi-finals and we are full of confidence.

"We have played against Hungary before at the European Championships, so we know them well."