The Dutch could have headed into the tournament fearing the worst after being drawn in the 'Group of Death' alongside Italy, France and Romania.

Instead they have taken the competition by storm, romping to a 3-0 victory over world champions Italy and then a 4-1 thumping of Les Bleus to clinch a quarter-final berth with a match to spare.

And Real Madrid forward Van Nistelrooy, who set the ball rolling with the opener against Italy a week ago, concedes the team could scarcely have dreamed of a better beginning to the competition.

"We did play some good games before, but obviously we didn't expect this," said the 31-year-old.

"We surprised ourselves a little bit in that sense. Now we are in a good mood, training hard and working well together."

With top spot already assured, tonight's match in Bern is of little consequence for Marco van Basten's side.

Defeat to Romania at the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf would see both 2006 World Cup finalists eliminated and Victor Piturca's team progress to the last eight.

Van Nistelrooy is keen for the Dutch not to show a chink in their armour, however, and continue the momentum they have built up.

"The main objective is to maintain the level we have put in so far," he said.

As Group C winners, Holland will contest the third quarter-final in Basle on Saturday, but do not yet know who their opponents will be.

Van Basten's side will face the runners-up from Group D, which will be either Sweden or Russia.

Whoever it turns out to be, Van Nistelrooy insists the Dutch mentality will not alter.

"We want to approach very game in the same way," said the former Manchester United forward.

"That's why we try to look not so much at who we will play but how we will do ourselves.

"Obviously we will look at our opponents' strengths and weaknesses but mainly focus on how we get into the game - mentally and physically."

The goals have been spread about for Holland with Wesley Sneijder (two), Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben joining Van Nistelrooy on the scoresheet.

Van Basten, who will leave his post after Euro 2008 to become head coach at Ajax, believes the cutting edge up front is what has brought his side to the fore.

"We already played some good games in preparation for this tournament but also before, over the last year we have had good matches where we made lots of chances we didn't turn into goals," the AC Milan legend recalled.

"The big difference is, the opportunities we created for ourselves against Italy and France we converted into goals."

The two sets of players will not be strangers tonight with this the third meeting between the nations in the past 15 months.

Romania picked up four points from their two qualifying matches against the Dutch and did not concede a goal.

"We played twice against the Netherlands in the qualifying phase so we got to know the Dutch players very well," said Piturca.

"That is probably how we managed to find the formula to keep them at bay."

Piturca recognises, however, that the Holland side of Euro 2008 will be a whole different proposition.

"That time wasn't a good period for the Netherlands whereas right now, unfortunately for us, they are in very good form," he pondered.

"They are in very good shape right now, both physically and mentally.

"(But) they have qualified, so maybe their level of concentration will not be the same... or they could be even more relaxed and have everything turn out well."