The late '80s were when international kits really became interesting. Gone were the days of staid solid colours, and in their place came a range of experimental patterns and combinations. Obviously not all of them were successful, but the Dutch kit for the 1988 Euros is still one of the all-time best.
The iconic orange remained, but this time it was designed in an all-over tonal pattern, with lighter sections across the shirt to form a series of arrows. The design was finished with a V neck collar and the adidas Trefoil logo, helping to certify it as one of the best ever.
The Netherlands beat the Soviet Union 2-0 in the final of the 1988 UEFA European Championship, which took place at Munich's Olympiastadion on 25 June. Ruud Gullit put the Oranje in front in the first half, before Marco van Basten's amazing volley from a tight angle killed the game off after 52 minutes. "You need a lot of luck with a shot like that," he told UEFA.com. "Everything went well. It is one of those things that sometimes just happens."
Marco van Basten scored five times at the 1988 finals, despite starting on the bench for the Netherlands' opening game against the Soviet Union (which the USSR won 1-0). The AC Milan man hit a hat-trick against England in the next match, then struck the semi-final winner against Germany before saving his very best finish for the decider. "I had a difficult year with lot of injury problems," he said, looking back at the England win. "From that moment everything changed and everything went positive."
Another Dutchman, John Bosman, was the top scorer in the qualifying competition with nine goals. The Ajax ace started the Netherlands' first game at the finals but lost his starting place to Van Basten thereafter.
UEFA Euro 1988 squad
| No. | Pos. | Player | Club |
| 1 | GK | Hans van Breukelen | PSV Eindhoven |
| 2 | DF | Adri van Tiggelen | Anderlecht |
| 3 | DF | Sjaak Troost | Feyenoord |
| 4 | DF | Ronald Koeman | PSV Eindhoven |
| 5 | MF | Aron Winter | Ajax |
| 6 | DF | Berry van Aerle | PSV Eindhoven |
| 7 | MF | Gerald Vanenburg | PSV Eindhoven |
| 8 | MF | Arnold Mühren | Ajax |
| 9 | FW | John Bosman | Ajax |
| 10 | FW | Ruud Gullit (captain) | Milan |
| 11 | MF | John van 't Schip | Ajax |
| 12 | FW | Marco van Basten | Milan |
| 13 | MF | Erwin Koeman | KV Mechelen |
| 14 | FW | Wim Kieft | PSV Eindhoven |
| 15 | DF | Wim Koevermans | Fortuna Sittard |
| 16 | GK | Joop Hiele | Feyenoord |
| 17 | DF | Frank Rijkaard | Zaragoza |
| 18 | DF | Wilbert Suvrijn | Roda JC |
| 19 | MF | Hendrie Krüzen | Den Bosch |
| 20 | MF | Jan Wouters | Ajax |
Netherlands 1988 L/S Jersey
SIZE CHEST (CM) HEIGHT (CM) WEIGHT (KG) EU-S 100 165-170 65-70 EU-M 104 170-175 70-75 EU-L 108 175-180 75-80 EU-XL 112 180-185 80-90 EU-2XL 116 185-190 90-100 EU-3XL 120 190-195 100-110 IN BETWEEN SIZES?
That's easier said than done. Because what do you do if you are in between two sizes?
Well, that's up to you. Do you like a tight fit? Go for the smaller size. Loving a loose fit? Go for the larger size.
TOP FIT
If your body measurements for chest and waist result in two different suggested sizes, order the size from your chest measurement.