Van der Sar keen to keep fans happy

By Theo Ruizenaar

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Captain Edwin van der Sar said Netherlands planned to keep their 50,000 fans celebrating when they meet France at Euro 2008 on Friday.

Though thousands will have to be content to watch in public viewing areas, the Oranje army is expected back at the 30,000-capacity Berne stadium after lifting their team to a 3-0 victory over world champions Italy on Monday.

"It is always good when your fans are enthusiastic and we would like to keep it that way," Van der Sar told reporters on Thursday.

"We know the fans are thinking we will easily do the job of beating France but we have to be alert. The differences (in the teams) in modern football are so small."

The 37-year-old goalkeeper marked his 126th cap by making an important save 11 minutes from time against Italy.

COUNTER ATTACK

Playmaker Andrea Pirlo curled a free kick round the wall but Van der Sar went full length to parry the ball to safety and from the resulting counter attack the Dutch sealed victory with a header from Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

"From the moment I got my hand behind the ball I realised we wouldn't give any more goals away," he said. "It felt, and proved, crucial."