Dutch coach van Basten warns players and supporters to stay calm after win

Holland thrashed world champions Italy 3-0 with goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The win was Holland's first against the Azzurri since 1978, but Van Basten is wary of the euphoria surrounding his squad.

Stay calm: Marco van Basten wants players and supporters to stay calm after thrasing Italy

"We have won just one game," said the coach. "This is only the first step.

"It shows that we have a good team with quality and I'm proud of this.

"I think if we show the same fighting spirit that we did against Italy in our next games, then we will be able to do great things in this tournament."

Holland playmaker Rafael van der Vaart was proud of the way his team-mates rose to the challenge against the World Cup winners.

"It was very special," said the Hamburg star. "Especially that second goal which came at the end of a fantastic attack.

"Everything worked out. We got chance after chance. I have never been so tired after a match as I was after this. But we can do it this way. We showed that.

"I felt this match was very special. It gives us a lot of confidence. To beat the world champions 3-0 in the first match of a European Championship is not something every team can do.

"I think that we all understand how amazing this is. But now we must go further."

Robin van Persie, who came on as a second-half substitute, dedicated the win to absent team-mate Ryan Babel, who was ruled out of the tournament after damaging ankle ligaments during the build-up.

"It is sad that he had to pull out just before the tournament started," the Arsenal striker told NOS. "That's why this victory is for him.

"I've said it for some time already: we have a good team. The fact that came to the surface against the world champions makes it even more special."

Holland now take on France on Friday knowing a point could see them progress to the quarter-finals.

France were held to a goalless draw by Romania, who will face Italy in their next match.

And Van Basten expects the Azzurri to bounce back from the loss.

"I know Italy will react," said the Holland boss. "They have enough quality and they have everything to be able to progress."

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni, who is a former AC Milan team-mate of Van Basten, will certainly hope his team can respond.

The defeat was the worst since Donadoni took over from Marcello Lippi two years ago, and his future could be in jeopardy if they fail to get something against Romania, despite him signing a two-year contract extension last week.

"We have to be optimistic," said Donadoni. "You can lose games but that doesn't mean that it's over.

"We have two games remaining in the group stages and we will go to Zurich determined to win.

"We have to look forward and forget our defeat against Holland as quickly as possible.

"We have made mistakes in our approach to the game, but the guys will respond positively."

Holland were back in training today after the win, although injury concerns Mario Melchiot and Arjen Robben both trained away from the rest of the squad.

Melchiot continues to be troubled by a pelvic injury while Robben has a groin problem which is also expected to keep him out of the France clash.