© EuroFootball.com
The preliminary composition for the European Championship was announced by the coach of the Dutch national team, Dick Advocaat. There were no surprises, and all the most reliable players were selected.
"There are no surprises in this team - it is a combination of experience, youth, intuition, and mentality. I am in a fortunate position because all the players I have to choose from are ready," said Advocaat.
The only player who had problems due to injuries is Arjen Robben, but he is slowly regaining form. He is one of nine players given the opportunity to represent the country for the first time in such a tournament, while the other debutants are Waterreus, Bouma, Heitinga, Van Bommel, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Van der Meyde, and Van Nistelrooy.
The coach also selected four players who can replace one of the main 23 if any of them are unable to travel to Portugal: Hasselbaink and Melchiot from "Chelsea," Bosvelt from "Man City," and Ooijer from "PSV."
Composition of the Dutch national team:
Goalkeepers
Edwin van der Sar (Fulham) Ronald Waterreus (PSV) Sander Westerveld (Real Sociedad)
Defenders
Frank de Boer (Rangers) Wilfred Bouma (PSV) Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Arsenal) Phillip Cocu (Barcelona) Johnny Heitinga (Ajax) Michael Reiziger (Barcelona) Jaap Stam (Milan)
Midfielders
Mark van Bommel (PSV) Edgar Davids (Barcelona) Clarence Seedorf (Milan) Wesley Sneijder (Ajax) Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax) Boudewijn Zenden (Middlesbrough) Andy van der Meyde (Inter)
Forwards
Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahce) Patrick Kluivert (Barcelona) Roy Makaay (Bayern) Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) Marc Overmars (Barcelona) Arjen Robben (PSV)
