Sneijder calls for calm

Holland hero warns there is much more to do

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 10th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sneijder calls for calm

Sneijder turns in the second goal

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Wesley Sneijder has warned Holland not to get carried away by their thrilling 3-0 win over Italy in their opening Euro 2008 match.

The Real Madrid midfielder marked his 24th birthday by scoring the second goal and being Holland's star man as they stunned the World Cup holders in Berne.

But the Dutch have their sights set on emulating their 1988 Euro triumph and Sneijder has urged his team-mates not to get distracted from their ultimate goal.

"It was a great result and the fans may celebrate but we still have nothing," said Sneijder.

Calm

"Our goal is still to reach and win the final, and therefore we need to stay calm."

Sneijder finished off a superb counter-attack just five minutes after Ruud van Nistelrooy claimed a controversial 26th-minute opener.

The Real Madrid striker looked to be in a clear offside position when he directed Sneijder's shot past Gianluigi Buffon, but the goal was given as Italy defender Christian Panucci was lying over the goal-line after clashing with Buffon moments earlier.

"Of course, I stood on the edge of offside," said Van Nistelrooy.

"I just followed the line of Sneijder's shot and then hoped that there was still a defender behind me, but I never saw that someone was lying behind the byline.

"It was a pleasure to be part of this team," he added. "Everything we wanted to show just worked out."