World Cup 2010: Van Marwijk 'so proud' of Dutch

Highlights - Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk could barely hide his delight after his side beat Uruguay 3-2 to reach their first World Cup final since 1978.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben each scored to earn a clash with Spain or Germany.

Van Marwijk said: "This is very special. After 32 years we play the final again. Such a small country can be so very proud."

The Dutch boss added he does not mind who his side face in Sunday's final.

"I think Spain are playing the best football overall but Germany are perhaps the best team at this championship," continued Van Marwijk, who took over as Netherlands coach in 2008 and has now led the side on a 14-match winning streak.

Robben header puts Dutch into final

"I won't say I prefer to play one team or another but it would be unique to play Germany after 1974 [when Germany beat the Netherlands in the final].

"I don't think in terms of revenge. The Netherlands played a wonderful match against Germany but we lost and we should have won it. It was a unique generation with Johan Cruyff, the best footballer who ever existed. So it is great that we have ended up in the final again.

"I am very happy and proud that such a small country is in the final of a World Cup. It is difficult to understand but you have to go out there and live it and do it."

606: DEBATE You have to hand it to Holland - a superb team performance and individual class that you need to get to the final of major tournaments U14281003

Van Bronckhorst opened the scoring in a close encounter with a 35-yard piledriver, before Uruguay's Diego Forlan also struck from range to level.

However, goals from Sneijder - allowed to stand despite Robin van Persie appearing to be in an offside position - and Robben restored the Netherlands' lead going into the final 15 minutes and Van Marwijk's men held on, despite Maxi Pereira's stoppage-time curler.

"Things went wrong now and again but we took the initiative and when we scored to make it 2-1 we had confidence and you saw how well we could play," added Van Marwijk.

"Suddenly we were faced with 3-2 and then it was so exciting. It was survival of the fittest in last two minutes. We were so relieved.

"If you truly believe in something you can make it come true.

"The team started believing it. You have got to have the mentality not to be too complacent. The players in the last two years started to understand this."

Van Bronckhorst's 35-yard screamer

Sneijder, whose goal was his fifth of the tournament and made him joint top scorer, reflected: "This is unforgettable. It was a tough fight and toward the end we complicated matters. On Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to that.

"We are so close now. There is nothing bigger than the World Cup."

Dirk Kuyt said he hoped that this Dutch team could triumph where the teams of 1974 and 1978 fell down.

"After a long journey we are in the final. We are so close to writing history. This is the third time we have reached the final. Now we have to win it."

"What has happened is unbelievable. It is a bit unreal," Kuyt added.

"We felt before the tournament we had the quality in the team to win it but now it is an incredible feeling."

The Netherlands were boosted by news that the jaw injury suffered by Demy de Zeeuw was not as bad as first feared.

The midfielder was accidently kicked in the face during the first half and after being briefly knocked out, was substituted at the break. But an examination showed the jaw was not broken and he joined in with the Dutch celebrations after the match.

Sneijder puts Dutch into the lead