You are in > manchester.com  > News > Van Basten hails "historic" Holland win

General Sport

Van Basten hails "historic" Holland win

10/06/2008

Dutch coach Marco van Basten has claimed his side's impressive 3-0 win over Italy in their opening Euro 2008 match was "an historic feat".

A rampant Netherlands side dominated the World Cup holders in Bern with two goals in six first-half minutes, including a controversial Ruud van Nistelrooy close-range toe-poke and a superb team counter-attack finished off by Wesley Sneijder.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst completed the scoring ten minutes from time to give the Dutch a famous victory - their first over the Azzurri in more than three decades.

Afterwards, a delighted Van Basten said his players had excelled themselves but cautioned against complacency for their remaining two group games.

"It was an historic feat. This was against Italy, the world champions," Van Basten said.

"To win 3-0 against Italy, a team with so much experience and quality in their team, we didn't expect that. It was a truly good performance from everyone.

"I am happy and proud, but this is only a first step."

The Netherlands face France on Friday in their second match, knowing a win would all but guarantee them a place in the quarter-finals - regardless of the result between Italy and Romania earlier in the day.