"I didn't give a damn about the score. 1–0 was enough, as long as we could humiliate them. I hate them. They murdered my family. My father, my sister, two of my brothers."
—Wim van Hanegem (born 1944), Dutch midfielder
During the semifinal of the UEFA Euro 1988, the Dutch defeated Germany (the host country) 2–1 with a goal by Marco van Basten in the very last minute of the game. After the game Ronald Koeman of the Dutch national team pretended to wipe his backside with Olaf Thon's jersey, creating outrage in Germany.
I had been waiting for that moment for fourteen years. Before the game I remembered my feelings watching TV as a teenager, and that boosted up my anger. I am happy to have been able to give this gift to the older generation, the ones that lived through the War.
—Hans van Breukelen (b. 1956), Dutch goalkeeper on the UEFA Euro 1988 match
We gave joy to the older generation. I saw their emotions, their tears.
—Ruud Gullit (b. 1962), Dutch striker on the UEFA Euro 1988 match