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Van Basten: Robben gets the chance now

May 27th, 2008 | By: Jan | 21 Comments »

Thursday, Denmark will be the opponent to help Oranje get fighting fit for the EC2008.

The Great Danes, surprise winners of the EC1992, didn’t make it this time around, but is still an interesting opponent. “Denmark is always fun to play against. They merged the English opportunistic style of football with the Dutch positioning game. They always have great players and we’ve seen what they can do when their minds are already on a holiday, back in 1992. Let’s hope they give us a run for our money,” quipped van Basten.

Over the years, many Danish players graced the Dutch pitches and in today’s squad we’ll see names like Perez and Rommedahl (both Ajax).

Van Basten hinted at forming his prefered starting line-up already. “We know what works and I don’t see why we would change that to experiment now. What’s good is good and we’ll capitalize on that if we can.”

It seems Sneijder, Van Nistelrooy and Van der Sar will make their first appearance in this run-up to the EC and Arjen Robben gets a chance to start and prove his worth.

“Arjen is a tremendous left winger. We all know that. He’s had his problems this year and we didn’t see too much of him in the orange jersey, but the last 9 games he was really impressive. We know we have several options on the left flank, but essentially, that’s a good thing. Robben may show us why he should be in the team.”

Demy de Zeeuw won’t start. He has a slight injury in his upper-leg and trained separately from the group. “It’s nothing major, but it is something we need to monitor, before it becomes major.”

Robin van Persie won’t be part of the squad for Denmark. “We need to put the brakes on him. He desperately wants to train and play, but he is too eager. Robin is a special breed. We don’t need him against Denmark and Wales, we need him for Italy or maybe even against France, if Italy comes too early for him. I am not taking any chances with him.”

Van Persie however, is adamant. “I’ll be ready for Italy. I guarantee you 100%. I will be fit. I need a couple of days before the match to gel in with the group, but I feel it’s going to happen. No worries!”

Van Basten repeated that with this squad, a lot of options are open. “Van der Sar and Van Nistelrooy are filled in on the paper with the line up. The rest is all open. We can go in many directions. I know Wesley doesn’t prefer the holding role, but he can play there and if it’s best for the team, I will ask him to do that.”

Boulahrouz, 26 years old, gave his last interview before he went home. “Am I disappointed? Or agitated? No. I am not. Marco was crystal clear when he called me. I knew what the odds were and Mario got fit in time. Good for him. I was happy with this chance, man. I had a tough season but was able to finish it on a high note with Oranje. Who would have thought that, right? I worked my ass off to show I’m back and every one could see I was highly motivated. But it wasn’t to be. Too bad for me, but otherwise all good. Marco van John van ‘t Schip were clear, open and honest. What more do you want? I will now focus on my new season at Chelsea and hope to meet the lads after the EC when we prepare for the WC2010.”

Tags: Euro 2008, Holland, Oranje, Persie, Robben, Sneijder

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Comments

By Rob | May 27th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

Arjen Robben has to start – the guy has the potential to win matches on his own. Interesting that Marco’s thinking of playing Sneijder in the holding role – I don’t think that’s necessary unless Robben, Van Persie and Van der Vaart all play – unlikely against Italy.

Boulah’s class too, take note Bommel and Seedorf – this is the respect you should have for wearing the orange shirt.

Posted from Japan

By Miguel Rosado | May 27th, 2008 at 11:39 pm

When Robben is fit he has to play. Sneijder shouldn’t play there he’s a creative midfielder.

I have a question: Is Boulahrouz playing for Chelsea next season again?

By sphinx | May 27th, 2008 at 11:43 pm

any of you can guess possible line up for tomorrow?

Posted from Australia

By Miguel Rosado | May 28th, 2008 at 12:16 am

————–Edwin————–

–Ooijer–Bouma–Heitinga–Gio—

Kuyt—Engelaar–Sneijder–Robben–

————–Vaart—————-

————-Nistelrooy—————–

Or he might put Gio on midfield leaving Sneijder behind Ruud and putting Vaart on the right, with Kuyt on the bench.

By Ramy | May 28th, 2008 at 12:48 am

Enough with the Ooijer crap

————–VdSar————-
Melchiot–Heitinga–Bouma—De Cler-
——–Engelaar—Gio———
VDV———Sneijder——Robben–
———VNistelrooy————-

Sneijder should play in an attacking role for now. He’ll only go back to holding position is he’s in dire need.

Posted from Canada

By Miguel Rosado | May 28th, 2008 at 1:09 am

@ramy: hahaha I think MvB will play him there (Ooijer) on Thursday but only because he wants to take care of Melchiot and I agree with you on Sneijder but I think Marco wants to prove him there.

By Jan | May 28th, 2008 at 4:52 am

With all the talk about Sneijder as a holding midfielder, I do think Marco will play him there.

Sar

Ooijer Heit Mathijsen Gio
Engelaar Sneijder

Vaart Afellay Robben

Ruud

Boulah is still under contract at Chelsea but I have the feeling either PSV or Ajax will pick him up. Boulah and Bassie go well together .

And yes, a fit Robben should always play!

Posted from Australia

By Ronald | May 28th, 2008 at 8:25 am

I also think Macro would put Sneijder in holding midfield
————–VdSar————-
Melchiot–Heitinga–Bouma—Gio-
——Sneijder–Engelaar————
Afellay———VDV——Robben–
———VNistelrooy————-

Posted from Hong Kong

By Caleb | May 28th, 2008 at 9:56 am

I agree with Jan and Ronald, I think Sneijder will be in the holding position, at least for this game (de Zeeuw injured and Marco will want to try it out).

And I like your line up Ronald, however I think Melchiot will still be rested this game. Also, I would put in Kuyt instead of Afellay when we play a team like Italy.

Who do you guys like better, Bouma or Mathijsen as a central defender?

Posted from Canada

By Ronald | May 28th, 2008 at 10:09 am

Caleb: I have thought on Kuyt on right midfield also, but I guess MvB wanna try another formation and that’s why I put Afellay there…and I think Melchiot should start on right defender instead of Ooijer bcos he played in Wigan there regularly.

To me, my choice goes to Bouma. He plays the ball better and can link up well with midfielders. Unlike Mathijsen, he was too weak against Austria. He couldn’t pass the ball to midfields when opponents put pressure on him…

How about other’s thought?

Posted from Hong Kong

By sphinx | May 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am

It could be most productive eleven if Basten lines up as Jan and Roland suggest.
possibly Vaart might be rested for Kuyt.

Posted from Australia

By goose | May 28th, 2008 at 1:47 pm

My fav. to start

——————-vdSar————————–

–Melchiot——Heitinga——-Bouma———deCler–

——Kuijt——-Engelaar——–Robben————

———-Sneijder———–vanPersie———-

—————–vanNistelrooy———————

Posted from Netherlands

By goose | May 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

btw@Rob; the vanBommel situation has nothing to do with the Boula one…the first is only cause of vBastens lack on people-manager qualities

Posted from Netherlands

By Marc | May 28th, 2008 at 2:04 pm

matijsen is a weak shit and ive always disliked him… heitinga and bouma for central positions… they hav vision, are solid and are reliable… matijsen has made seveal mistakes in the past for oranje especially with hamburg..

Posted from Switzerland

By goose | May 28th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

@Marc; think vBasten really lost convidence in Matijsen after the austria game..dont think well see much of him during the EC

link; today at the Oranje training, fotoshoot and interview with Gio

http://player.nos.nl/index.php/media/play/tcmid/tcm:5-381144/

Posted from Netherlands

By Rob | May 28th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

@goose: Interesting that Boulah describes Van Basten as perfectly clear and fair about his chances though, isn’t it? Notice it’s the two players in the squad with the biggest egos and the most twattish attitude that had a problem with Van Basten.

Posted from Japan

By Rob | May 28th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Also, what was Sneijder getting all stroppy about at training?

Posted from Japan

By goose | May 29th, 2008 at 2:34 am

@Rob; it was cause he didnt agree with referee vBasten during the foot-volley-game…something about the rules not beeing clear..i thought it was very funny the way he kept ‘ crying’..

Posted from Netherlands

By Rob | May 29th, 2008 at 8:35 am

Ah, ok, thanks! Wesley’s such a class bloke.

Posted from Japan

By Caleb | May 29th, 2008 at 9:14 am

I love foot-volley ball It’s easy to get caught up in the game and argue over calls. Looks like the attitude/atmosphere in the camp is pretty good though.

Posted from Canada

By Shaq | May 29th, 2008 at 10:22 am

Why does he not go with
Sar
Ooijer Heitinga Bouma Gio
Sneijder Engelaar
Van der Vaart Robben
Ruud Huntelaar

Think that it would be interesting to see how they play together and if it didnt’t work whoever showed the more desire and more hunger should be in the squad for the italy game

Comments are closed