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Netherlands
The Dutch squad Announced!
Comments(63)
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.
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.
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 63 comments.
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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
@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
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
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
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
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
i think oijer because he is very experienced, and bolahrouz is going to be the new stam.
Posted from United States
I sincerely hope he will be. And van Persie will be cover for the left and Babel for the right?
Posted from United States
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
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
[...] 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
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
I still think its a rather mediocre squad…
Posted from 
Germany
Man, your germans, i hope you guys get past your group stage, i would feel very ……. if you guys did not. 
Posted from 
Oman
[...] NETHERLANDS [...]
Posted from United States
I Love Netherland.It Is My Soal.
Posted from 
Islamic Republic Of Iran
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
rogi32 make sense, this mediocre squad only, I see dutch be whipping boys of group!
Posted from 
United Kingdom
[...] NETHERLANDS Van Basten picks youth over experience. [...]
Posted from United States
Ya, van Basten wanted two players for every position and there is some versatility especially in the attack.
Posted from United States
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
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
What about Roy Makaay and Edgar Davids????
Posted from 
India
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oh really mike you live in michigan? where do this dutch poulation live? in the detroit area?
Posted from
United States