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The Dutch squad Announced!

May 14th, 2006 | By: Mike | 63 Comments »

Finally we have all the answers to our questions. Davids or no Davids? Which of the strikers will he be taking? Even van Basten has a smile on his face. Cheeky boy isn’t he? I’ve rolled out of my nice warm bed on this Sunday morning and I wasn’t disappointed.

Our Squad!

Keepers: Edwin van der Sar, Maarten Stekelenburg en Henk Timmer

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Tim de Cler, Johnny Heitinga, Kew Jaliens, Jan Kromkamp, Joris Mathijsen en André Ooijer

Midfielders: Mark van Bommel, Phillip Cocu, Denny Landzaat, Hedwiges Maduro, Wesley Sneijder en Rafael van der Vaart

Forwards: Ryan Babel , Dirk Kuyt, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben en Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

No Klaas Jan Huntelaar!! Can you believe it? That has to be difficult for the young striker who enjoyed a remarkable seasion with Heerenveen and Ajax. I have to say that I find that the most surprising thing. Babel didn’t get too many votes when we were deciding which strikers would be chosen. He will definately be low down in the selection order.

Also, despite picking up an injury in the training match Kew Jaliens has been given the nod. There is no Barry Opdam either which surprises me given van Basten’s frequent use of him during the qualifying campaign.

Of those not chosen Emanuelson, Vlaar, Castelen and Huntelaar will now join the Jong Oranje for the U-21 Championship.

Tags: Final squad, marco van basten, Netherlands

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 63 comments.

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By alaa | May 14th, 2006 at 3:19 pm

oh really mike you live in michigan? where do this dutch poulation live? in the detroit area?

Posted from United States

By QStel | May 14th, 2006 at 3:22 pm

I thought there was a sizeable (very protestant/conservative) group of Dutch immigrants that settled in Michigan. I don’t know if they are much fun to watch football with, but you could at least give it a try (if you live in that area)…

Posted from France

By QStel | May 14th, 2006 at 3:22 pm

More info on Holland, Michigan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland%2C_Michigan

Posted from France

By alaa | May 14th, 2006 at 3:27 pm

@QStel
thank you, this is nice,as soon as i get the possiblilty,i’ll go there. it would be nice to meet aome dutch fans and watch one of the games with them.

Posted from United States

By Mike | May 14th, 2006 at 3:30 pm

Actually I’m in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is THE Dutch centre along with Holland in Michigan (about 30 min apart). Unfortunately most people here are about third or fourth generation and have no roots or interest in the Netherlands period, let alone football. Mind you Holland does have “Tulip Time”….

Also…there are counties around Holland that are designated as “dry counties” so beware.

Posted from United States

By alaa | May 14th, 2006 at 3:36 pm

wow, grand rapids, you know in august am moving to big rapids(ferris state university), i hope i like it, i’ve been to big rapids once it is so boring, but grand rapids is an interesting city, i like it

Posted from United States

By alaa | May 14th, 2006 at 3:39 pm

yeah you’re right mike , i think to enjoy soccer you should be in europe, actually i lived in italy for 5 years, it was a different atmosphere the period of the world cup is really wonderful, all ppl talk about the games, and we had a big screen in the pharmacy school to watch the games, we used to watch them with our teachers. and i was the only dutch fan and all of them were italians, that got me in trouble more than once:)

Posted from United States

By Mike | May 14th, 2006 at 3:43 pm

Best of luck next year.

One Dutch fan in a sea of Italians? I don’t envy what you went through.

Back to the squad announcement; Who will partner Boulahrouz in defense? Mathijsen or Ooijer? It won’t be Cocu except in case of injury.

Posted from United States

By alaa | May 14th, 2006 at 3:46 pm

i think oijer because he is very experienced, and bolahrouz is going to be the new stam.

Posted from United States

By Mike | May 14th, 2006 at 3:47 pm

I sincerely hope he will be. And van Persie will be cover for the left and Babel for the right?

Posted from United States

By alaa | May 14th, 2006 at 5:54 pm

yes mike you’re right,babel and van persie are covers, but what i like about van persie is his ability to play as a wing or as centrum, and i wouldn’t be surprised at all if van basten decides to start with robben,VNS, and van persie in the offense.

Posted from United States

By Jan Roskott | May 14th, 2006 at 6:35 pm

Hi guys, loved your input on this topic. However, just to remind everyone… Holland never won anything playing 433. In 88 when we grabbed the Euro Cup (in Germany by the way ), we played 442. And on another note, it’s not the best players that win, but the best team. And most international topdefenders have a hard time with fast and skilled wingers. So expect some pressure there. To close off: Holland could have a “stronger” selection for the worldcup, but Bergkamp is not longer playing, Seedorf is regarded to be not disciplined enough, Makaay not needed and Davids not good enough anymore.
There ya go…

Posted from Australia

By Angola, France and Holland Name World Cup Squads - FIFA World Cup 2006 - World Cup 2006 Blog | May 14th, 2006 at 8:40 pm

[...] Finally, there is Marco van Basten’s Netherlands squad, which has gone from 33 names to the final 23 today. Lots of good analysis and discussion to be found on Mike’s excellent Netherlands team blog. [...]

Posted from United States

By Kyle | May 14th, 2006 at 8:59 pm

Mike is just so good at getting discussion going, or maybe it’s the fact there are way too many excited Dutch fans right now.

Oh screw it, it’s just cause we like to talk about total football.

Posted from Canada

By rogi32 | May 15th, 2006 at 1:52 am

I still think its a rather mediocre squad…

Posted from Germany

By Martijn | May 15th, 2006 at 5:43 am

Man, your germans, i hope you guys get past your group stage, i would feel very ……. if you guys did not.

Posted from Oman

By Complete Listing of all World Cup Squads - FIFA World Cup 2006 - World Cup 2006 Blog | May 15th, 2006 at 9:44 am

[...] NETHERLANDS [...]

Posted from United States

By farzad | May 15th, 2006 at 5:58 pm

I Love Netherland.It Is My Soal.

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By ian | May 15th, 2006 at 7:53 pm

it is difficult to criticize the players selection now. having say that, picking the substitute player is also important. imagine a 0-0 game and a sub comes in and scores the winner. i hope van basten select the right players. did he say he want 2 players for each position? versatile player who can switch roles is also important. go orange go!

Posted from United States

By Bojan | May 15th, 2006 at 9:01 pm

rogi32 make sense, this mediocre squad only, I see dutch be whipping boys of group!

Posted from United Kingdom

By A Group-by-Group Rundown of World Cup Squads - FIFA World Cup 2006 - World Cup 2006 Blog | May 15th, 2006 at 9:29 pm

[...] NETHERLANDS Van Basten picks youth over experience. [...]

Posted from United States

By Mike | May 16th, 2006 at 3:09 pm

Ya, van Basten wanted two players for every position and there is some versatility especially in the attack.

Posted from United States

By Dreamer | May 22nd, 2006 at 11:47 am

Im doing a World Cup Dream Team - Can you tell me who is likely to start in the Dutch defence & if they are good. Thanks.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Mike | May 23rd, 2006 at 9:56 am

In defense? van Bronckhorst will start at left back and he his quality but at times his defending cam be a little suspect. In the centre of defense expect to see Boulahrouz with either Mathijsen or Ooijer. Boulahrouz is quality the second choice will be slightly less skilled regardless of which is chosen. Right back will be Kromkamp. He might lacking some match fitness but the quality is there and he’ll get better as the tournament goes on.

Posted from Canada

By Bryster | June 10th, 2006 at 11:21 pm

What about Roy Makaay and Edgar Davids????

Posted from India