France coach Raymond Domenech said defensive errors cost his side dear after their UEFA EURO 2008™ prospects took a severe blow with a 4-1 defeat by the Netherlands in Berne. “We collapsed in one part of the game where we used to be very strong,” said Domenech whose counterpart Marco van Basten praised goalscoring substitutes Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie for their spectacular contributions.

Marco van Basten, Netherlands coach
I don’t think it was easy – we played a very good game against Italy and today we were a little bit lucky, we scored the goal at the right moment and that helped us a lot. We started reasonably well in the first half but got into problems. In the second part of the first half we didn’t play well – we just defended and France put us under pressure with their ball possession. Everyone was going to the ball when we needed more players to go deep. But then when Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben came on, they went wide and that helped us. It gave us more space and possibilities to attack again. These players are quick and technically good, so in the second half we were much more dangerous, even if France were applying more pressure. I have to compliment my defence – there was a lot of pressure but they managed it quite well and in the end we made some good goals with good counterattacks.
It is an all-round team. We can defend quite well and we have an excellent goalkeeper and, one way or the other, we stopped their attackers. We have astute, intelligent players in midfield and excellent players in attack. They are hungry to perform. We did excellently against Italy and four days later to offer an exceptional performance against France indicated clearly they have an excellent team spirit. We have an obligation to play well against Romania, for the players and the supporters. The result may not be too important for us but we have to approach the game in an efficient manner.

Raymond Domenech, France coach
Defence used to be our strong point – we had a solid defence, but finally we collapsed in one part of the game where we used to be very strong. You need a bit of luck and our opponents had luck, although they did the same against Italy so they have many qualities too. To concede the opener from a corner was very frustrating and it meant we had to play differently. We should have been more vigilant and once you are behind, everything becomes more complicated. We had more chances than against Romania as the game was more open – we opened it a bit too much maybe. If you watch the first 20 minutes after the two substitutions [of Robben and Van Persie] we had four or five clear chances and could have scored.
It was a mixture of mistakes on our side and the quality of the Dutch goalkeeper who, as usual, put in a good performance. There is a possibility for both teams [France and Italy] to go through but it all depends on the other match, Romania against the Netherlands. The Dutch have six points and I am convinced they won’t play the same players. It doesn’t depend on us – both teams have to play and hope something happens in the other match. In the circumstances, we have to be very optimistic to imagine the Netherlands will beat Romania.

Dutch coach Marco van Basten said Wednesday his side’s place in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals is far from assured despite their 3-0 demolition of world champions Italy.

The Netherlands proved they are the team to beat at the European Championships on Monday night against the Italians in Berne, the same night as Group C rivals France were held 0-0 by Romania in Zurich.

But former Dutch striker Van Basten expects a tough battle against 2006 World Cup finalists France on Friday in Berne, Switzerland, with victory giving his side a place in the last eight.

And Van Basten also warned against any Dutch complacency in their final group game against Romania next Tuesday.

“France’s match (a 0-0 draw with Romania) was really not a spectacle, but we expect a complicated match against the French,” said Van Basten ahead of Friday night’s match in Berne.

“The Romanians will be very defensive, very hard to break down. We recently experienced that against them (in the qualification rounds).”

And the Dutch coach refused to accept his side are co-favourites for the Euro 2008 title.

“To be the favorite, it is necessary to be good for more than just one match. We still have a long way to go.

“But I would readily accept a repeat of our Italian job against France. We managed it because some of my players have really matured since the 2006 World Cup.

“Each opponent requires a different approach. It is necessary to take account of the power of your adversary. And Friday, France will be strong. They have been one of the most powerful teams in the last ten years.”

Defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers are battling for squad places as the Netherlands’ pre-finals programme starts with a game against Ukraine on Saturday.

Decisive fixture
Marco van Basten’s side welcome Ukraine at De Kuip in Rotterdam in the first of three friendly fixtures arranged to gear up for UEFA EURO 2008™, but the match is likely to be the end of the road for three players. A goalkeeper, defender and midfielder are all expected to fall by the wayside as the coach looks to reduce his 26-man provisional squad down to 23 before the 28 May deadline. “We would prefer to decide on the squad this weekend, but due to circumstances we have to be careful,” said Van Basten.

Notable absentees
The coach does not yet have a full selection to pick from. Robin van Persie (thigh) and Mario Melchiot (groin) are injured and Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink are “most unlikely to play” against Ukraine, as they are only due to join the squad on Friday. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and midfielder Wesley Sneijder, meanwhile, will not arrive until Monday.

Key selections
A goalkeeper – Henk Timmer or Sander Boschker – is sure to miss the cut, while one from the defensive trio of Khalid Boulahrouz, Melchiot and André Ooijer is earmarked for disappointment. “I do not need all three of them, so one of those three will drop out,” Van Basten said. “Hopefully all three will be fit after the weekend, so we can make a better choice.” If Melchiot can regain his fitness in time, Boulahrouz is likely to be the aggrieved party.

‘Test run’
Nigel de Jong, Demy de Zeeuw, Denny Landzaat and Orlando Engelaar appear to be vying for three midfield places and in all Van Basten will have a lot to consider during and after the Ukraine game. “This is a first test run,” he said. “We are experimenting on the road to the EURO. The result and performance matter, but are of less importance for now.”

EURO ambition
Van Basten explained that he will try and use his projected first XI for 9 June’s Group C opener against Italy in the subsequent friendlies against Denmark (29 May) and Wales (1 June). “EURO is a kind of re-examination,” he said. “Since the [FIFA] World Cup we have grown as a team, and are two years more mature. Expectations and demands are higher, and with good reason.”