Van Nistelrooy says Dutch are surprised by form

The sparkling form shown by Netherlands that has yielded wins over traditional powerhouses Italy and France has surprised many, not least their talismanic striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Asked why the team had suddenly clicked after being criticised in pre-tournament matches, Van Nistelrooy told a news conference today: "We played some good games in the warm-ups but we didn't expect this.

"We have surprised ourselves in that sense. The team is in a good mood, we work well together, we train well together, we are just a very good group."

Van Nistelrooy's goal against world champions Italy in the group match last Monday was the first of seven the Dutch have put past several of the best defenders in the game.

The comprehensive 3-0 win over Italy followed by the 4-1 success against France four days later secured the Dutch top spot in the group and a quarter-final against Russia or Sweden on Saturday.

The Dutch have been among the world's best for nearly 40 years but have only lifted one major trophy, in 1988.

"The moment we are in is the best moment I have had in 10 years with the team since I started in 1998," said Van Nistelrooy.

"In '98 (when the Dutch were fourth at the World Cup) it was also a good group but with different players. There have been some exceptional players in the squads I have been in but right now I am really enjoying the way we are playing.

"We want to continue to play like we did in the first two games, we don't want to lose that momentum." Asked why the Dutch had made such a blistering start to the tournament, coach Marco van Basten said his side were not given credit for the way they played in their warm-up matches.

"We played a lot of good football and had a lot of good games," said Van Basten. "We didn't score as many goals as we should have done from the chances we created.

"The big difference in the first two games (at the tournament) was we scored the goals. The mood in the squad is very good, very positive."

The Dutch team's counter-attacking has been superb, the midfield have worked superbly together, the defence looks strong and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar's performances have given the team an all-round sheen of confidence.

Van Basten said the thousands of fans who made up the Oranje army also added to the squad's inner strength.

"But there is plenty we still have to improve on," added the coach.

The Dutch face Romania in their final group match in Berne on Tuesday.