Progress pleases successful duo

SWITZERLAND 2-5 CROATIA
Yves Débonnaire, Switzerland coach
We started very well but we didn't manage to play at the same level for the whole game. We could have scored more than just one goal in the first half when we wasted a few opportunities and I think we could have been awarded a penalty. Then Croatia reacted well in the second half and scored two goals in just a few minutes. However we proved to have a good character and we managed to equalise early. At that stage the game was very balanced and both sides could have scored the third. We had a good opportunity but we missed, while Croatia scored a few minutes later. Obviously we were disappointed but this is football. In the final stages we gave up both physically and mentally.

Ivan Gudelj, Croatia coach
I have to congratulate my players. They proved to have reached a very good level. In the first half we did not play as I expected. Switzerland started very well and tactically we did not manage to respond as we should have done. I changed a few things during half time and everything went better for us. During the whole tournament our team has always played better in the second half. We scored many goals in the second half in the previous game against Israel as well, it means my players are in good physical condition, have a strong character and can play very well when they give their best. Nobody told my players the result of the other game during the match because I wanted them to keep on playing for the victory.

NETHERLANDS 2-1 ISRAEL
Ruud Kaiser, Netherlands coach
I am happy to go through to the semi-finals. But today, it was again the same story. The players made it difficult in not scoring the many chances we have created us. On the bench I was counting the result from our match and from the other match. I was in direct liaison with my second assistant coach who was at the Croatia-Switzerland match. When the score was 2-2 there and 2-1 here, we had to score two goals to go through, I therefore decided to put two additional attackers on the pitch. But, when I made the substitution, the situation changed at the other match. I therefore put in a defender and told my players to avoid conceding When I learned the final score at the other group match, I was very happy as it means a new experience for the players and another week in Tuscany. I like Tuscany!

Avraham Bahar, Israel coach
We made a lot of mistakes but the qualification was out of our reach. We lost matches by our fault. However, I have to admit that our opponents todat played at a very good level. The Dutch are certainly the best team of this group. In the last three years we have twice reached the final tournament, which shows that we have improved a lot. However, we have been eliminated this year for the same reasons as in Portugal in 2003, because we lack of international experience. At this level, international experience is already very important. It is therefore necessary to play as many preparation matches as possible to gain crucial experience.