Arthur Numan: Dutch will prove there's life after group of death

Jun 1 2008 Arthur Numan

DUTCH legend Arthur Numan believes Holland will win Euro 2008 - if they can survive their first two games in the Group of Death.

Marco van Basten's side are in the toughest section with World Cup holders Italy plus France and Romania.

Only quality performances will be good enough to finish in the top two and reach the quarter-finals.

Passionate Oranje supporter Numan believes his countrymen can do it and use the early momentum to blaze a trail to the final. But only if they come flying out of the traps and adopt an offensive style in their opening two games against the French then the Italians.

Numan - capped 45 times and a veteran of three major finals - said: "Middle to front Holland probably have the best selection of attack-minded players at Euro 2008.

"However, there are worries about the defensive qualities, particularly the lack of height at the back, and I am concerned the likes of Italy's Luca Toni will succeed against us.

"So we have to take the game to our opponents, play to our strengths.

"The section is full of quality teams - including Romania - so there might not be time to recover from a slow start.

"Our first game is against Italy then we play France. If are in a strong position after that we can go on and win the tournament.

"I'm not usually a betting man but I will have a wager on Holland this week before a ball has been kicked.

"The big bonus is we have Ruud van Nistelrooy back in the team. A problem existed between him and van Basten but that has been put to one side to concentrate on the finals.

"Ruud has said he wants to do well in the Euros for himself, his team-mates and supporters but his relationship with Marco is purely business. Ruud is in excellent formbut the manager's problem is which players he selects alongside him.

"He plays a strict 4-2-3-1 formation and it's with the three attacking midfielders the headache begins.

"It is likely van Basten will go with Wesley Sneijder on the right, Rafael van der Vaart in behind Ruud and Arjen Robben on the left.

"However, he may opt for Dirk Kuyt, who is more a team player, on the right.

Also, Sneijder plays behind Ruud at Real Madrid and they perform well together.

"And the coach has said if Robin van Persie is fully fit he will play. But you can't fit all of them into the side.

"Finding the right blend for that area is the most important issue. Get that spot on and we have an excellent chance of winning the tournament.

"I think we will qualify from this tough group and France will join us in the quarter-finals." Numan will travel to Switzerland to watch Holland's three section games.

He also wants to see compatriots Guus Hiddink and Leo Beenhakker make their mark on the biggest stage.

Hiddink is the coach of Russia while Beenhakker leads Poland into action.

Former Rangers star Numan said: "Hiddink was in charge of Holland when I played at the 1998 World Cup.

"We reached the semi-finals and Guus also got to the semis four years later with South Korea.

"In 2006 he was in charge of Australia who were only knocked out of the World Cup by a scandalous penalty given to Italy.

"Hiddink knows what is needed and Russian football is on a high. They have Spain, Sweden and Greece in their section but Russia are my dark horses to win Euro 2008.

"Beenhakker has also been placed in a decent group. Germany can be boring but are efficient. They will have a chance of going all the way.

"Croatia have good players and are the main threat to Poland for second place but Austria will offer little threat.

"The three Dutch coaches are all capable of making a strong impression."

As he soaks up the atmosphere inside Berne's Stade de Suisse Wankdorf during Holland v Italy a week tomorrow, Numan will cast his mind back to his own Oranje heyday.

He said: "This is the platform every player should want. It's an incredible feeling, so special.

"It is important not to freeze in the first game because you do not want to be playing catch-up.

"Van Basten will set Holland up to win this game and they are capable of it.

"Italy are world champions but I believe it is too much to ask of them to win this tournament no matter how talented their players are."