Historic double tempts Van Basten
by Berend Scholten from Lausanne
A UEFA European Championship legend for his performances in the 1988 success, Marco van Basten is eager to emulate that Netherlands win as a coach.
Defining moment
Then a 23-year-old striker at AC Milan, Van Basten was responsible for the defining moment of the finals, with his terrific volley in the 2-0 final victory over the Soviet Union capping a triumphant campaign by the brilliant Oranje ? and making him the tournament's five-goal top scorer. It was an experience he has found hard to forget. "You have the [FIFA] World Cup and the European Championship and that is the highest level you can reach," he said. "It is also very hard, because after the leagues have finished there is little time to prepare as a team. But they are the most widely watched and most prestigious events, so if you win such a tournament then you, personally ? and as a nation ? go into history. So that is a huge challenge."
Following wind
The task facing Van Basten as he oversees his last tournament before taking charge of former club AFC Ajax is a massive one, with games against Italy, France and Romania to come in Group C. However, the 43-year-old is undaunted despite having to tackle the two 2006 World Cup finalists in the Netherlands' opening fixtures, starting against Italy in Berne on Monday. "If we have the wind in our sails then we can go very far, but if for any reason the wind is blowing against us, we could also be knocked out in the first round," said Van Basten, who could become the first man to play for and coach a EURO champion.
'Very curious'
The Oranje managed to avoid that indignity under Van Basten at the 2006 World Cup, but progressed no further than the last 16, losing 1-0 to Portugal in Nuremberg. He thinks his side have improved since, and is intrigued to see how they fare against Europe's finest. "We are two years older now and some of the lads play abroad now, in England, Germany or Spain, which are very good leagues," he said. "Obviously they have also become stronger physically and, as a team, we gained experience from a tough qualification campaign. So I think we have taken some steps forward. That is why I am very curious to see how we do."
