Holland Boss Van Basten Names Seven Premiership Players In EURO 2008 Squad: Liverpool's Babel, Kuyt & Arsenal's Van Persie In
Holland head coach Marco van Basten has announced his provisional 30-man squad for the EURO 2008 Finals in Austria/Switzerland, which kicks-off on June 7, 2008, but has been hit by a late set-back to his plans.
Dutch international veteran Clarence Seedorf has requested Oranje head coach van Basten to be withdrawn from the Netherlands squad for the EURO 2008 Finals after thinking that his fitness is currently below-par.
The 32-year-old AC Milan midfielder informed the Dutch boss in a telephone conversation that he would be retiring from the squad.
Seedorf said: "It is a decision that comes after serious consideration and months of reflection. Since my return to the national team, the right conditions have not been created to let me perform at my best and to effectively excel as the team member I always strive to be."
There are seven English Premier League players still featuring in Marco van Basten’s 29-man provisional squad, with Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar called-up.
Aston Villa’s Wilfred Bouma, Wigan Athletic’s Mario Melchiot and André Ooijer from Blackburn Rovers all feature in defence for The Oranje.
Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel and Arsenal’s Robin van Persie are also expected to feature in the Finals in Austria/Switzerland in June.
The 29 remaining players in van Basten’s squad will be travelling to a training camp in Noordwijk for pre-tournament training before being reduced to a maximum of 26 before the final line-up of three goalkeepers and 20 outfield players is announced to UEFA officials before the Wednesday 28 May squad deadline.
Provisional 29-man Netherlands squad:
Goalkeepers: Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AFC Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord).
Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord), Urby Emanuelson (AFC Ajax), John Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic FC), André Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers FC).
Midfielders:Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Orlando Engelaar (FC Twente), Nigel de Jong (Hamburger SV), Denny Landzaat (Feyenoord), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia CF), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid CF), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar).
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool FC), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax), Danny Koevermans (PSV Eindhoven), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid CF), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic FC), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid CF).
