Van Persie - 1988 winners are our inspiration

By Rob Kelly

Robin van Persie says Holland will look to the side that won Euro 88 for inspiration this summer.

A multi-talented Dutch team containing the likes of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard won the tournament 24 years ago after beating the Soviet Union in the final.

And Van Persie says the current Holland side must follow their example if they are to fulfil their vast potential in Poland and Ukraine.

“I’m confident about what we can do - as well as the names you know, we have some talented young players like Gini Wijnaldum, Jeremain Lens and Luuk De Jong, so the future looks bright for this tournament and beyond,” said Van Persie.

“We can always look to our predecessors from 1988 for inspiration - the team that won the European Championship that year has always been one that I look up to, and I hope we can achieve the same as it did.

“There are a lot of favourites for the tournament this year and we are one of them, but you cannot underestimate anybody.”

Holland have been drawn in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ alongside Germany, Portugal and Denmark, but Van Persie is confident they can come through it.

“Everyone in the Dutch camp is very focused and aiming to win the competition – the atmosphere in the squad is a good, family one and there’s plenty of hope that we can do well,” he said.

“There’s no doubt that we have a challenging group, but then I don’t think you’ll find an easy opponent in this competition - everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and we include Germany, Denmark and Portugal in that.”

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