By Dave Gooderham
Friday, June 8, 2012
1:14 PM
FORMER Ipswich Town midfielder Arnold Muhren has tipped his homeland to repeat their European Championship success of 1988.
Muhren was part of the side that won the tournament in West Germany – and he is confident the current side can return home victorious from Poland and the Ukraine.
Town’s UEFA Cup-winner said: “They have proven themselves by reaching the (2010) World Cup with players with extra quality.
“Of course we are not alone. Spain and Germany also have good teams. It is important that we stay fit.”
Muhren believes the balance of the Dutch in 1988 was perfect, coupled with the inspired performances of Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.
He added: “In 1988, we had a combination of players who all had something extra. If you want to have a good team, you need a good balance and that’s what we had.
“We had great defenders and Frank Rijkaard, who I think was the best player in the tournament. We had a midfield with everything in it and forwards who could decide matches. The team was actually a great team with different characters but also a team that was full of balance.”
ADVERTISEMENT
6 comments
Actually, when he first arived, he said he had a sore neck, as too many long balls were played. So it was when the ball started being played more to feet, and Frans arrived that it really took off. Cracking player, and in my all time ITFC team left midfield. Not much cop as a tipster, though, to be fair.
Report this comment
Kevin Bailey
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
He was a wpnderful player and I feel privileged to have seen him perform at Portman Road. As for the Netherlands, after that horredous defeat to Denmakr it is unlikely that they will take this tournament by storm but they do have the players to exceed expectations even now!
Report this comment
FRANK WESTON
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Just sheer 'class', trouble is we were spoilt !, we, or at least I just didn't fully appreciate at the time just how lucky we were to watch that skillful team, the best team in the olde Division 1 that never won the league !!
Report this comment
freedomf
Saturday, June 9, 2012
But Bobby Robson knew they were the final pieces in his jigsaw, as I think he once put it. Unlike PJ who just hopes players will gel.
Report this comment
DaveJS
Friday, June 8, 2012
Legend indeed. Will never forget the effect he had on the team's performances when he first arrived, his long range accurate left foot passing able to switch the pattern of play, even better once Frans Thijssen arrived. As for today's Dutch team, if they are anything like they were in South Africa, too physical, too cynical.
Report this comment
Andrew Houseley
Friday, June 8, 2012
for me probably the best player ever to wear an ipswich shirt,will we ever see the like again.
Report this comment
david peters
Friday, June 8, 2012