Holland v Italy preview

Jun 8 2008 By Mark Guidi In Zurich

EDWIN VAN DER SAR has already won the Premiership title and was Manchester United's hero in the Champions League Final.

Now he'd love to make this season even more memorable by helping Holland win Euro 2008 in what will be his seventh major tournament with his country.

The 37-year-old keeper will quit the international game after these finals and wants to bow out in style by becoming a European champion.

Van der Sar - Holland's record cap holder on 125 - will skipper Marco van Basten's side tomorrow night in their opening tie against world champions Italy in Berne.

And he hopes the Dutch will romp to glory if they can get past the Italians, France and Romania in Euro 2008's Group Of Death.

Edwin said: "We have received some criticism for the way we performed in a couple of warm-up games.

"But the most important thing is that we are ready to face Italy. And we will be. Matches do not come much tougher than Italy. They are the world champions and have world-class players.

"They may have one or two injury problems but that is not my concern. I only focus on Holland.

"We must think about what we can do to pierce them. We have a young team and I am the only old player.

"I am also the captain and feel a responsibility to help the lads through this tournament.

"This is the first major finals for a few of them and it is a lot to take in. We must protect them from the spotlight.

"After Euro 2008 I will step down as it will be time to let the younger generation take over. It would be nice to retire from playing for Holland with a success to look back on."

Gigi Buffon will be standing at the opposite end of the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf stadium tomorrow and the Italian is always rated one of the world's top two keepers.

Czech ace Petr Cech, according to the experts, is his only rival to the throne.

Van der Sar rarely merits a mention in the same breath yet he has been one of the most consistent keepers in the world since bursting on to the scene 15 years ago with Ajax.

Sir Alex Ferguson rates the Dutchman as the best in the business - his finest shot-stopper since Peter Schmeichel quit Old Trafford in 1999.

Ferguson spent almost £20million trying to replace the great Dane before finally finding a gem when he landed van der Sar from Fulham in 2005.

The United keeper said: "It doesn't bother me that when people talk about the best goalies in the world they only refer to Buffon and Cech. I know what I have achieved in football and what I'm capable of still doing.

"As long as my team-mates and coaches appreciate me then that is enough.

"However, even at my age you are always looking to improve.

"I'm feeling good and it is always better to come to a tournament like this on a high.

"I won the Premiership and the Champions League and it is easier to arrive in a good frame of mind than coming here as a loser at club level.

Moaning "My batteries have been recharged and I'm ready for this tournament - ready for more success hopefully."

Van der Sar will be tested tomorrow and the fact there is a new ball being used will only add to the difficulties against Luca Toni and Co.

But he shrugged and said: "Once again a new ball has been made fora major tournament and it has been made with just one thing in mind - to make goals.

"Balls are never designed to make life easier for keepers, the manufacturers never consult us.

"However, we just have to deal with it. We are not here to talk about the balls. We are here to save them. Jens Lehmann complains about the balls but he's always moaning about something!"

Old Trafford team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo will get some joy from his deadly free-kicks and could end up as the star of Euro 2008.

But van der Sar reckons Dutch aces Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Rafael van der Vaart might upstage the Portugal winger.

He said: "People have suggested Ronaldomay emerge as the Player of the Tournament.

"He is an outstanding talent and I see himclose up every day at Manchester United.

"He definitely has the ability and confidence to be Player of the Tournament. But Holland also have a few great talents who are capable of emerging as the main player.

"We have players at some of the top clubs in Europe and they are determined to be a success in this tournament.

"I sense a hunger and a desire from the squad and we are determined to come away from the finals with our heads held high.

"I am not going to make any predictions because we have such a tough group to get out of.

"However, if we can make it through into the quarter-finals then I believe anything will be possible for us."