The Oranje stormed to top spot in the 'Group of Death' with emphatic wins over world champions Italy (3-0) and France (4-1) before seeing off Romania 2-0 with a much-changed line-up.

Van Basten's side now take on the Russians, led by his compatriot Guus Hiddink, on the relaid turf at Basle's St Jakob-Park for the right to face either Italy or Spain in the semi-final next Thursday.

And the Holland coach - whose goal against the Soviet Union saw his country become European champions 20 years ago - is all too aware his current side have won nothing yet.

"Until now we are satisfied but this is only the beginning," said the 43-year-old.

"We have to play hopefully a few more games, starting tomorrow against Russia which will be a really interesting game.

"We saw them play really well against Sweden but we also saw the games against Greece and Spain, so it's our task to play how the Spanish team did (against Russia)."

Spain hammered Russia 4-1 in their opening Group D clash in Innsbruck last week, and Van Basten is hoping his side can emulate the display of Luis Aragones' outfit but acknowledges it will not be easy with the Russians having raised their game.

He said: "They had some problems with the forwards from Spain - (Fernando) Torres and (David) Villa - but then they changed a few players and became a better team so that's what I think we are expecting - a better team tomorrow against us."

Russia recovered well in their remaining two pool matches, beating defending champions Greece 1-0 and then sinking Sweden 2-0 to clinch second spot and a place in the last eight.

Van Basten will send his side out with their usual attack-minded approach and, with Hiddink having promised to do likewise, it looks set to be an entertaining match.

"We will approach the game as usual - trying to attack, using good players and hopefully we can have a good game which will end in us winning," said the AC Milan legend.

"I wish him (Hiddink) good luck. There are two teams that try to attack. We have the same idea so we will see who's going to be stronger."

Asked if Hiddink, who coached Holland between 1994 and 1998, was the man most likely to know of any chinks in the Dutch armour, Van Basten replied: "You could say it that way.

"But I'm sure we have a lot of strong points also and if he knows that also I wish him good luck!"

While Van Basten appears understandably quietly confident in his own team's attacking prowess, he has been impressed with the development of Russia, who reached the finals in Switzerland and Austria by finishing second in their qualifying group behind Croatia and at the expense of England.

"They have been rather successful over the last few years," he said. "They are definitely a force to be reckoned with in international football."

Van Basten will have his full squad at his disposal, including Khalid Boulahrouz who has expressed his desire to continue at the tournament despite the death of his prematurely-born daughter on Wednesday.

"It was a very special moment for the team," said Van Basten, whose team will wear black armbands as a mark of respect on Saturday.

"We knew there was a player who had a very sad experience in a private way.

"There are a few players who are very close to him and the whole team was really concerned.

"Yesterday he said to me and also to the players that he was finished with it and wants to look forward to Saturday's game against Russia.

"'We are here for the European Championships and you can fully count on me,' he said, and we are very happy about that."

Van Basten made nine changes to his line-up for the victory over Romania in Bern on Tuesday and, with the bulk of his first-choice players having had over a week without a match, is likely to revert to the line-up which thumped France.