BASEL, Switzerland — Russia had the right Dutch coach. And the better team.

The long shot Russians, led by coach Guus Hiddink, scored two goals in extra time today to advance to the semifinals of the European Championship with a 3-1 upset win over the Netherlands.

It was a sweet victory for Hiddink, who enhanced his reputation of getting lesser known teams far in tournaments. The coach guided South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semifinals, and he took Australia to the second round of the 2006 World Cup.

"The better Dutchman, our coach, won today," said Andrei Arshavin, who set up the winning goal and scored the clincher in extra time.

Dimitry Torbinski and Arshavin scored within five minutes of each other in the second half of extra time. Roman Pavlyuchenko also scored for Russia, while Ruud van Nistelrooy scored for the Dutch in the 86th.

All three quarterfinals have been won by group runners-up. Russia will play the winner of Sunday's match between Spain and Italy next Thursday.

"What the boys did tonight, their commitment, to outplay tactically, physically a Dutch team — after the game I don't want to talk in big words, but it's a miracle," Hiddink said. "It's super what the guys did. Super."

The Russians showed more pace and stamina through the final 75 minutes, particularly in the 30-minute overtime. Torbinski, a substitute, surged toward the far post in the 112th minute and barely deflected a deep cross from Arshavin.

Arshavin shot through the legs of Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar for the final goal in the 116th. By then, the Netherlands players were spent.

"Physically, you would say we are in more shape than the Russians," Netherlands coach Marco van Basten said. "We didn't see that today and it was a pity."

Van Nistelrooy had temporarily saved the Dutch late in the match, proving no one is more lethal from close range. On a free kick by Rafael van der Vaart, he got open and scored with a diving header at the far post.

"You get this goal just before the end of the game and a team normally is hurt mentally," Hiddink noted. "But I demanded, I challenged the players and asked the players. I said, 'Hey, we can do it because tactically, physically, technically, this Russian team is a better team than the Dutch team."

Russia needed to beat Sweden in the final group game to advance from Group D. The Netherlands outscored first-round opponents 9-1 in winning Group C.

But Van Basten knew who was superior Saturday night.

"They were really a good squad today, better than we were," he said. "The way they play is very good. They have also good strikers, good defenders. I think they are a good possibility (to win the championship)."