Van der Vaart's HSV for victory

Summer signing
Van der Vaart is probably Hamburger SV's biggest signing since the capture of Kevin Keegan from Liverpool FC in 1977. The attacking midfielder was lured from AFC Ajax for an estimated €5.5m but that will be money well spent if Hamburg make the UEFA Cup.

Solid at the back
The 1983 European champions take on Valencia on Tuesday in the return leg of their UEFA Intertoto Cup final, and Van der Vaart believes they have what it takes to upset their Spanish hosts. "We have been excellent so far this season and our defence have been rock solid," he told uefa.com. "We have only conceded two goals in three different competitions and have every right to be optimistic."

Pressure expected
Not that the 22-year-old is underestimating Valencia, who lost 1-0 in Germany on 9 August. "Valencia are a very good side," he said. "I have been to the Mestalla before with Ajax and they will definitely put us under a lot of pressure. But we have the ability to defend well and score goals."

Love affair
Van der Vaart, capped 30 times by the Netherlands, is putting his club's ambitions before his own. Having admitted to dreaming of playing in England, Spain or Italy in the past, he has only Hamburg on his mind now. "I have fallen in love with the city and qualifying for the UEFA Cup would be a dream come true," he said. "It was the right decision to join the club."

Persuasive coach
One of the reasons Van der Vaart decided to trade regular UEFA Champions League football with Ajax for an Intertoto Cup campaign with Hamburg was coach Thomas Doll. "He made up my mind for me," he explained. "When we first met, he said he wanted me to play my favourite position behind the two strikers, and that is the most important thing for me."

Account opened
The youngster has so far repaid that trust with some outstanding displays. Van der Vaart scored in both legs of the Intertoto Cup semi-final against SK Sigma Olomouc, and opened his Bundesliga account with a glorious free-kick in a 2-0 win at DSC Arminia Bielefeld on 13 August.

Substitute appearance
It was no surprise when Marco van Basten included him in the Netherlands squad for the friendly against Germany last week, even though the playmaker had to settle for a place on the bench. Nonetheless, Van der Vaart is enjoying life under the Oranje coach.

'More fun'
"He tells us to go out and enjoy ourselves," said the forward, who insists his country can go all the way at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. "We obviously have to remember the tactical approach but it is simply more fun under Van Basten. He is very close to all the players.

World Cup optimism
"We can win the World Cup if we play as we did in the first half against Germany," he added. However, for the moment, such dreams must take a back seat as a date with Valencia looms. Another stellar showing in that game and a new Keegan could be crowned in Hamburg.