Abstract: We argue that high-quality data on the reaction e(+)e(-) -> pi(+) pi(-) eta will allow one to determine the doubly-virtual form factor eta -> gamma*gamma* in a model-independent way with controlled accuracy. This is an important step towards a reliable evaluation of the hadronic light-by-light scattering contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of themuon. When analyzing the existing data for e(+) e(-) -> pi(+) pi(-) eta for total energies squared k(2) > 1GeV(2), we demonstrate that the effect of the a(2) meson provides a natural breaking mechanism for the commonly employed factorization ansatz in the doubly-virtual form factor F-eta gamma*gamma* (q(2), k(2)). However, better data are needed to draw firm conclusions.