Arnold Muhren tips Holland for a home win

The class act of Euro '88: Dutch legend Arnold Muhren

If anyone is qualified to rate Holland's chances for Euro 2000, it must be Arnold Muhren, who was a key member of the Dutch side that won Euro '88.

Muhren, who provided the cross for Marco van Basten's outrageous goal in the final, is in no doubt as to which team should be celebrating when the tournament comes to an end on 2 July.

"I think Holland are the favourites to win it. If you look at the players who are available and for which teams they are all playing, in my opinion, they should win," he said.

Over the years, Holland have had some legendary players and some fantastic teams, but the team of '88 is the only one to have won a major international honour. So how does the current crop compare?

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"It's very difficult to compare teams with each other. They play a little bit of a different system now. We had four, five or maybe six world-class players.

"It was a very good team with everyone the right age, except me. It's the same thing for the team at the moment."

Muhren picks out van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard, Koeman, Wouters and van Breukelen as the key men back in '88. So who does he think can fill those roles this year?

"I think Davids is rated one of the best players in Europe. Kluivert, of course, who is playing up front is a proven goalscorer.

"If you look at the team, six or seven players are playing for Barcelona. I think Van der Sar is a very good goalkeeper and Overmars and Bergkamp are playing for Arsenal and are doing very well. Overall, you've got a very good and exciting team."

There is no doubting the quality in the side. So why have Holland drawn so many games in the build-up to the tournament?

There has been a problem with the medical side of the team because Rijkaard has changed the physiotherapists, but that's normal with Dutch football, there's always something wrong

Arnold Muhren

"Rijkaard has tried so many new players in different positions, that he has never played with the side he has in mind for Europe. Especially on the right side, he's tried three or four players out on that side."

Who to play on the right may be the least of Rijkaard's problems if Dutch football history is any guide to go by. In the past, Dutch stars' egos have often been the biggest obstacle in their path to glory.

"In England [Euro 96] I can remember that Davids said something about Hiddink. Now there has been a problem with the medical side of the team because Rijkaard has changed the physiotherapists. So that's been a little bit of a problem, but that's normal with Dutch football, there's always something wrong."

One thing that should be in Holland's favour is the fact that they are playing at home. And Muhren reckons it could be a huge boost: "I think it's a big advantage, the Dutch crowd is great.

A home win for Holland, according to Muhren

"I experienced it myself in Germany. We more or less played a home game and it helped us a lot in winning the European Championship."

Every tournament, the toughest group takes on the mantle of 'The Group of Death'. This year Holland have drawn France, the Czech Republic and Denmark.

But Muhren is not unduly worried: "It's never easy in a tournament like that. They're all tough games. You have to prove that you're better than the other countries.

"And that's all that matters," he added.