Dutch look to erase ghosts of Euro 2000

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BERNE, Switzerland (AFP) — Holland embark on yet another major finals campaign with high expectations but their first clash of Euro 2008 will evoke memories of another failure to cash in on their constant conveyor belt of talent when they face world champions Italy here on Monday.

The Dutch - out to emulate their 1988 compatriots in being European champions - looked to have the upper hand over the same opposition in the Euro 2000 semi-final playing as 11 against 10 for the majority of the match but missed two penalties in playing time and eventually lost on a penalty shootout.

There are two survivors in the present squad from that traumatic experience in goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and Giovanni van Bronckhorst but it is the absence of one of the Italians who played...