Van Basten helping to heal Dutch divisions
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-20 09:04 Their preparations were disrupted after a German newspaper published
colourful reports about a party at their hotel, leaving the players with plenty
of explaining to do to their wives and girlfriends.
Four years later Johan Cruyff, the central figure in the 1974 team, and
midfielder Wim van Hanegem pulled out of the World Cup squad. A weakened team
made it to the final only to lose to hosts Argentina.
Playmaker Rafael van der Vaart, who played his first major tournament at Euro
2004 in Portugal, says everything has changed in the Dutch camp.
"The team spirit has really improved a lot and now it is very special to be
part of this team," Van der Vaart told reporters.
"Van Basten is also a younger coach than his predecessors and is close to the
squad. He knows exactly what is going on and what we need."
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