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Van der Vaart: Holland's hero
Germany, Russia, Spain and Turkey are all still harbouring hopes of lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy in Vienna on Sunday night - but in our Eye Player tournament, none of them made the final four.
We played the entire tournament from start to finish on Pro Evolution Soccer 6 on the PlayStation2 - the format of choice for your Fan's Eye blogger Jon and his fellow joypad basher Neil.
If you didn't follow the previous instalments, you've missed some classic football moments. Who could forget Anders Svensson's 30-yard screamer for Sweden against Greece? Romania's shock 3-1 win over Italy? Arjen Robben's last-gasp winner for Holland in the final Group C game, which sent the Oranje through? And Spain beating Sweden on penalties to confirm top spot in Group D, only to then crash out to the Dutch in a quarter-final shoot-out?
Now however, the end of the tournament is in sight. Stand by for the conclusion of our alternative Euro 2008...
Day 19 - Wednesday 25 June
Semi-final 1, Basel
Portugal v Switzerland
Usually semi-finals are exciting end-to-end affairs - but the Swiss have shown little enterprise in their run to the last four and here their only aim is to again frustrate their more talented visitors. Portugal plug away in a bid to create opportunities and the fleet-footed Simao looks a real threat down the left - however, his final ball is often woeful.
The 90-minute mark approaches with the score still goalless and Switzerland have rarely been over the halfway line. It's as if they've been playing for penalties right from the start. But they suffer a setback when right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner is sent off a minute from time for a ludicrous tackle on Simao - giving Portugal the advantage in extra-time.
It takes until the 108th minute but finally Portugal make the extra man count. A weaving run from substitute Hugo Almeida ties the Swiss defence up in knots and the striker confidently finishes past the onrushing Diego Benaglio to put Portugal into the final of Euro 2008.
Final score: Portugal 1 Switzerland 0 AET.
Day 20 - Thursday 26 June
Semi-final 2, Vienna
France v Holland
France won this encounter 3-1 in the group stages but when Nigel de Jong lets fly with a 25-yard stunner after just two minutes which Gregory Coupet can only help on its way into the net, it's clear that the Dutch are hell-bent on revenge.
Ruud van Nistelrooy hits the bar but Marco van Basten's men are able to double their lead on 27 minutes with another stylish goal. Giovanni van Bronckhorst's cross is chested down by Rafael van der Vaart, completely fooling Lilian Thuram, and he strikes home a confident half-volley.
Van der Vaart is forced to limp off just before the break and France reduce the arrears on 52 minutes when Joris Mathijsen puts through his own net in comedy fashion.
Yet just two minutes later, Holland restore their two-goal lead with what is undoubtedly the goal of the tournament. Wesley Sneijder lays the ball across in midfield to De Jong, who spots Coupet off his line and launches a lofted 40-yard shot over the French goalkeeper and into the top corner.
It's an extraordinary goal and France look even more bewildered when van Nistelrooy embarks on a solo run on 68 minutes which culminates in a fourth goal for the Oranje.
There's still time for Arjen Robben to hit the post, and the final whistle can't come soon enough for France who have been comprehensively outplayed.
For Holland, it's a final showdown with Portugal.
Final score: France 1 Holland 4.
Day 23 - Sunday 29 June
Final, Vienna
Portugal v Holland
Holland's stylish run to the final has won them many admirers, whereas Portugal have been more resilient than resplendant despite the abundance of attacking talent at their disposal.
Yet it is Luiz Felipe Scolari's men who begin by playing the better football, with Nuno Gomes' shot hitting the post and bouncing agonisingly along the goalline of Edwin van der Sar before being hurriedly cleared.
Portugal continue to press, but Holland look dangerous on the break and on the stroke of half-time, Dirk Kuyt finds Rafael van der Vaart in space on the right-hand side of the box. Van der Vaart eludes the challenge of Eric Abidal and sends a low shot into the bottom corner to give Marco van Basten's team the lead.
Van Basten reorganises his side for the second half and his tactics pay off as Portugal are denied the time and space on the ball that they need. Cristiano Ronaldo sees a decent effort go narrowly wide and van der Sar has to be alert to keep out a rising drive from the lively Deco.
In the closing stages, Petit hammers a shot from long distance which van der Sar claws away to safety - and then the final whistle blows. It's despair for Portugal as Holland are crowned the champions of Europe.
Final score: Portugal 0 Holland 1.
PS As for the Golden Boot, no player netted more than three goals - so it's a nine-way tie! Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rafael van der Vaart, Nuno Gomes, David Villa, Fernando Torres, Franck Ribery, Alexander Frei, Mario Gomez and Luca Toni all share the top-scorer gong. Well played everyone...
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