"And I'd like to thank the captain (Zvonimir Boban), who led from the front."

He defended his cautious tactics, saying: "We played on the counter-attack because it was very, very important for us to become the third best team in the world and it's only by playing that way that we could achieve it.

"And I have to say, my players did exactly what I had asked them to."

As for six-goal Davor Suker, Blazevic said: "I don't think Ronaldo can score three goals on Sunday, so I think he will finish as the top scorer of the tournament."

Putting the win into a political perspective, he said: "We are very proud of this victory because we come from a very small country and this is a very elegant way of making it better known."

Holland coach Guus Hiddink was disappointed that yet again his men had played good football and still lost.

"It's disappointing because we were very keen to get third place," he said. "We played like we did for the whole tournament -- we dominated the game but we were what we call 'classed-out' by a classic counter.

"And that's a pity for us.

But he added: "After the disappointment, you have to say that our style, our philosophy has impressed the world and that's what I'm proud of. And I don't want to change that philosophy."

Looking ahead to the European championships in 2000, which Holland are co-hosting with Belgium, he said: "This was a good tournament for us because the group was working as a unit and they are of an age that gives them another two or three years to perform. It's good experience."