Each comes emblazoned with an image of the horse-like former Manchester United frontman's head positioned next to a large up-pointed thumb, with the words 'Van's The Man' printed along the bottom.

On the reverse there are a series of montages depicting the Ruud man undertaking a number of samaritan-like pursuits, from helping old ladies across busy road junctions to forming human bridges over deep ravines in the depths of Africa.

I put this print order in late last night having witnessed a fine act of sportsmanship from RVN, and one that I feel should be openly applauded. If you didn't see the game between the Netherlands and Italy, van Nistelrooy had rounded Gianluigi Buffon and appeared destined to open the scoring before being accidentally clipped by the big shotstopper. He lost his footing as a result and was destined to fall to the ground - indeed, someone had actually put in place one of those bouncy crash mats you used to use in PE to aid his landing - but remarkably, he stayed on his feet. The chance was gone, no penalty, and some incredulous looks even from his own teammates.

But Open Goal says fair play to Ruud van Nistelrooy. Just goes to show what effect two years in Spain playing around some of the best acrobatic performers in the world can really do to a man's constitution.

And justice was ultimately served anyway. Had Ruud not stayed on his feet, the resulting passages of play would never have occured, the ball would have been at some different part of the pitch when his opening 'goal' (clearly 12 metres offside) went in, later in the game Holland wouldn't have scored one of the best team goals witnessed in a European Championship game, they probably wouldn't have won 3-0, and they might not now have one deserving foot in the Quarter-Finals.

Maybe honesty is the best policy after all?