Kluivert: I didn't score four

A delighted Patrick Kluivert

Patrick Kluivert has cast doubts on his four-goal haul in Holland's 6-1 rout of Yugoslavia in the Euro 2000 quarter-finals.

The Barcelona striker is the toast of Holland after being credited with two goals in each half.

But Kluivert said he did not score the Dutch third in the 51st minute, when he and Yugoslav Dejan Govedarica both went for a cross into the goalmouth from Paul Bosvelt at the near post.

"Honestly. I have to say the defender touched it before me so really I only scored three goals tonight," the forward said.

Kluivert says Govedarica got the last touch

Despite his admission, Uefa have yet to change the official match statistics which currently say Kluivert is the first player to score four goals in a match at the European Championship Finals.

A four goal haul makes him Euro 2000's leading scorer with six, but a hat-trick would put him level with Yugoslavia's Savo Milosevic on five.

Unexpected

Whatever decision Uefa reach, Kluivert said he was surprised at how easily Holland had won through to a semi-final meeting with Italy.

"It was totally unexpected. We started the game completely concentrated and it ended like this. This moment is still unbelievable.

"I need more time to get over it. Everything went so fast. It's a bit like a dream."

Honestly, I have to say the defender touched it before me so really I only scored three goals tonight

Patrick Kluivert

Yugoslav coach Vujadin Boskov said the Dutch were lucky to win so comfortably.

"The Dutch played excellently but they had some luck," he told a news conference.

"We had the first goal chance but unfortunately we didn't score it. What can I do? I have to pay them my compliments and congratulate them."

And he also paid tribute to the part played by the Dutch crowd.

"Two or three weeks ago I said the Netherlands were the favourites for the Championships.

"I think they have a big advantage over all the other countries because they are based at home.

Boskov: Holland deserved to win but were lucky

"It was our great problem. The extraordinary culture of the Dutch football supporters is part of their 6-1 victory. I'd say the same if we lost 2-1.

"Playing them on their own pitch in front of their own fans was not easy. They were better than us but I also think they were lucky.

"I think we succeeded at this European Championship. Technically and tactically we are the eighth best team in Europe."

Holland coach Frank Rijkaard was very happy with Kluivert's performance but felt the spectacular win was down to the team's display as a whole.

"It was a great team performance and I'm totally satisfied for all the players who did the work.

"Patrick did a wonderful job but it was part of the team performance. If no-one gives you the ball you can't score the goals," said Rijkaard.

The Holland coach was not getting carried away with Italy to come in the semi-finals:

"The Italy match will be completely different between two very interesting football nations. They play very defensive football and counter-attack brilliantly."