Edwin is the super Sar of Holland team

Jun 15 2008 Arthur Numan

FREE-scoring Holland have taken Euro 2008 by storm with the quality of their goals and play.

But my main man, the inspiration behind wins over Italy and France, isn't one of our scoring heroes who have bagged seven in two games.

Keeper Edwin van der Sar has exerted a quiet influence over the Dutch side. Every player has made a contribution - but Edwin has been brilliant.

The Manchester United No.1 will retire from international football after the tournament and is determined to bow out on a high note.

He is a totally-focused professional and a great leader in the dressing-room, helping create an excellent atmosphere and united spirit.

Van der Sar has a lot to do with the good feelings.

Keepers have a reputation for being crazy. Edwin doesn't come across that way when he is being interviewed by the media.

But, believeme, he can be as crazy as anyone on a night out!

I sent him a text message after the final whistle on Friday to congratulate him on our superb 4-1 win over France.

He replied saying how happy he was with the result and on reaching the quarter-finals. But I also sensed a little bit of regret he wasn't out partying with me!

I hope he does earn a winner's medal. He is the best I've ever played with and even at 37 arguably the best in the world.

His save from Andrea Pirlo's free-kick against Italy was vital.

Had that gone in it was back to 2-1 and nail-biting time. Edwin also made a few crucial saves against the French.

And who can forget his penalty shootout saves against Chelsea in the Champions League Final?

Man United would have won more Champions League titles had Sir Alex Ferguson signed Edwin as replacement for Peter Schmeichel when he retired nine years ago.

He opted for Mark Bosnich and Fabien Barthez but neither is in the same league.

My friend Edwin has shown his class and is happy to let the exploits of his team-mates grab the limelight. I've always fancied Holland to win Euro 2008 if they could escape the Group of Death.

Well, they have done that and hammered home to everyone their ability with that crushing win over France.

I joined the 50,000 Oranje Army on Friday night in Berne along with my good friends Michel Doesburg and Bert Konterman.

We mixed with the fans, belted out songs together and partied with them back in Zurich after the game.

I loved every minute - and especially relished the goals.

Some of our strikes have been brilliant. Giovanni van Bronckhorst scored a cracker against Italy and Wesley Sneijder executed his goal superbly well against France.

Van Bronckhorst is in the form of his life. He played central midfield all season for Feyenoord but moved to leftback for Holland and has looked an absolute natural.

It goes without saying he learned it all from me!

Giovanni is always looking for the ball, wanting to create moves and join in as high up the pitch as possible.

He has been looking like Alan Hutton, playing as an attacking full-back with lots of strength and stamina.

Holland will need Gio, Edwin, Wesley and guys like Rafael van der Vaart and Ruud van Nistelrooy to keep playing well.

The only area we need to look at is rightback - and maybe Marco van Basten will experiment against Romania on Tuesday.

I will not be there in midweek.

But I am looking forward to visiting Basle for the last eight tie on Saturday night and hope it is another cracker.