Holland's Little Prince ready to become a Euro kingmaker

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) — Wesley Sneijder may be the one reaping the praise for his attacking play, but to many afficionados eyes it is Rafael van der Vaart who has been the lynchpin in the Dutch success so far at Euro 2008.

The 25-year-old SV Hamburg playmaker - known as the 'Little Prince of the Arena' when he was at Ajax - has spent more time on the ball and along with Dirk Kuyt covered more ground than any of their team-mates and on Saturday the same will be expected of him as the Dutch take on Russia in the last eight.

'Rafi' as he is also known reflected his selfless running and lungbusting energetic performances by admitting that after the 3-0 defeat of world champions Italy in their opening match that he had never felt 'as exhausted'.

However, he is...