Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) - Goalkeeper

Born

:

29.10.70.

Caps

:

128

Goals

:

0

Undisputed first choice since 1995, when he made his debut two weeks after winning the Champions League with Ajax Amsterdam and became captain under coach Marco van Basten. This will be his sixth and final major tournament as he retires from international football after the finals. His first three tournaments ended with defeat in penalty shoot-outs.

Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam) - Goalkeeper

Born

:

22.9.82

Caps

:

12

Goals

:

0

Stand-in for Edwin van der Sar. Deaf in one ear but an excellent penalty-stopper, saving all four spot-kicks Ajax conceded in the league this season. Made his Ajax debut in 2002, but injuries meant it was three years before he became first choice. Also works as trainer/coach in Ajax youth's set-up.

Henk Timmer (Feyenoord) - Goalkeeper

Born

:

3.12.71

Caps

:

5

Goals

:

0

Reliable stand-in who spent 11 years at second division side Zwolle before a series of spells at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord. Lives with Marianne Timmer, the same surnames a coincidence, who is a double gold medal winner speed skating at the 1998 Winter Olympics and reigning Olympic champion over 1,000 meters.

Tim de Cler (Feyenoord) - Defender

Born

:

8.11.78

Caps

:

16

Goals

:

0

Attacking left back who had five-year spells at Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar before he signed Feyenoord in 2007 and won his first trophy in April this year clinching the Dutch Cup. Was set to sign for champions PSV Eindhoven before opting for Feyenoord, the club he has always supported.

Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa) - Defender

Born

:

15.6.78

Caps

:

35

Goals

:

2

Versatile player who started as winger in the PSV Eindhoven youth ranks but after playing in midfield ended up as a left back who also is used as a central defender. Played on loan for MVV Maastricht and Fortuna Sittard, before joined Aston Villa in 2005.

Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg SV) - Defender

Born

:

5.4.80

Caps

:

35

Goals

:

2

Started out with Willem II Tilburg before signing for AZ Alkmaar in 2004. Impressed during his first season in Alkmaar and became a regular in the Dutch squad. Moved to Hamburg after the 2006 World Cup. Has been under fire from Dutch fans after some poor performances for the national side.

John Heitinga (Atletico Madrid) - Defender

Born

:

15.11.83

Caps

:

39

Goals

:

5

Versatile defender who came through the Ajax Amsterdam schoolboy and youth ranks, making his debut for them at 17 at arch rivals Feyenoord in 2001. Has just ended a 17-year association with the club by agreeing a move to Atletico Madrid in a five-year deal. Overcame two long-term knee injuries and has impressed over the last two years, voted the best player of the Dutch league last season.

Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers) - Defender

Born

:

11.7.74

Caps

:

40

Goals

:

2

Experienced defender who also came through the Ajax Amsterdam youth system, where he started as a midfielder. After spells at Volendam and Roda JC Kerkrade, he joined PSV Eindhoven in 1998. Won five championships with PSV before he moved to Blackburn Rovers in 2006 after the World Cup finals. Married to the daughter of former Dutch international Willy van der Kerkhof, who played in the 1978 World Cup final. Ooijer recently syated he is thinking about leaving Blackburn. Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord have all showed interest.

Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic) - Defender

Born

:

4.11.76

Caps

:

22

Goals

:

0

Physically strong defender, who dreamt about a career as a policeman or owning his own fashion business before starting his professional career at Ajax Amsterdam. Joined Chelsea in 1999 and spent five years before moving on to Birmingham City, Stade Rennais in France and a return to England last year with Wigan.

Nigel de Jong (Hamburg SV) - Defender

Born

:

30.11.84

Caps

:

26

Goals

:

0

Son of former Dutch international Jerry de Jong. Made his debut at 17 for Ajax and at 19 for the Dutch national team. Joined Hamburg in Jan. 2006 after three and a half seasons at Ajax, where he had been in the youth set-up. Can play as a right back or a holding midfielder.

Khalid Boulahrouz (Chelsea > FC Sevilla) Defender

Born

:

28.12.81

Caps

:

25

Goals

:

0

Tough, yet technically skilled defender who can play on any position in defense and if needed in the defensive midfield. Boulahrouz had a troublesome youth and after a long row of clubs made a name for himself at little RKC Waalwijk under the guidance of Martin Jol. Matured at HSV Hamburg where he earned himself a place in the national team and later a transfer to Chelsea. Last season Boula played on loan at FC Sevilla, but due to groin injuries he only got six games to his name. At first he wasn't picked, then when he was he got omitted again, to be recalled after Babel's injury.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord) - Midfielder

Born

:

5.2.75

Caps

:

81

Goals

:

4

Started as a left midfielder at Feyenoord after coming up through the youth ranks. Left in 1998 and after spells at Rangers and Arsenal he joined Barcelona in 2003. Won two titles with them and the 2006 Champions League. Now back in Rotterdam where he was elected 'Player of the Year' by the fans.

Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV) - Midfielder

Born

:

11.2.83

Caps

:

58

Goals

:

10

Made his Ajax debut at 17 and a year later won his first cap. Spent six seasons in Amsterdam before moving to Hamburg, where he revived his career as a creative midfielder, attracting the attention of Valencia in 2007. Was kept to his contract though by the Bundesliga club. Hardly played at Euro 2004.

Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid) - Midfielder

Born

:

9.6.84

Caps

:

48

Goals

:

10

Free-scoring midfielder who made his debut for Ajax and the national team at 18. Played only 58 minutes of Euro 2004 but became a regular under Marco van Basten. Scored 18 league goals in 2006-07, paving the way for a 27 million euro transfer to Real Madrid. Will be one of three attacking midfielders in Van Basten's tactics for Euro 2008.

Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar) - Midfielder

Born

:

26.5.83

Caps

:

15

Goals

:

8

Holding midfielder who joined Alkmaar from mid-table second division club Go Ahead Eagles Deventer in 2005. A member of the Dutch Under-21 squad who won their first European championship in 2006. Made his debut for the senior team in 2007 and, along with Denny Landzaat, is a candidate to play alongside Giovanni van Bronckhorst in front of the defence.

Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven). Midfielder

Born

:

2.4.86.

Caps

:

7

Goals

:

0

Creative midfielder who made his debut aged 17 for PSV Eindhoven and has since won four successive championships. Son of Moroccan parents and has dual nationality. Opted for the Dutch national team at senior level in 2007. Proved a fragile player during his first two seasons, but has since become stronger and more mature.

Orlando Engelaar (Twente Enschede). Midfielder.

Born

:

24.8.79

Caps

:

9

Goals

:

0

A product of the Feyenoord youth system, though he never made it to the first team and moved to NAC Breda in 2000. Joined Racing Genk in Belgium in 2004 but two years later returned to the Netherlands to sign for Twente Enschede.
Was sought by Ajax Amsterdam during the winter break last season but extended his contract in Enschede.

Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid). Forward

Born

:

1.7.76

Caps

:

64

Goals

:

31

Lone striker in Marco van Basten's 4-2-3-1 system. Publicly clashed with the coach after the 2006 World Cup where he was dropped for the last 16 defeat by Portugal. Back in the squad in Aug. 2007, he responded with goals against Bulgaria and Albania in Euro qualifiers. Scored four goals at Euro 2004 and received a two-match ban after the lost semi-final for insulting referee Anders Frisk, naming him a home referee. Joined Real Madrid after the 2006 World Cup after successful spell at Manchester United and won the Spanish title in his first year, scoring 25 goals. Was injured for the last two months of the Spanish league season where he won the title again with Real Madrid.

Arjen Robben (Real Madrid). Forward

Born

:

23.1.84

Caps

:

35

Goals

:

10

Sensational but injury-prone winger. Signed for Chelsea in 2004 from PSV Eindhoven, but missed a major part of his first season through injury. Scored the decisive penalty during the Euro 2004 quarter-final shootout against Sweden and in the Dutch opener at the 2006 World Cup against Serbia and Montenegro. Joined Real Madrid in 2007m but missed long periods of the season due to a series of injuries.

Robin van Persie (Arsenal). Forward

Born

:

6.8.83

Caps

:

28

Goals

:

9

Stylish product of the Feyenoord youth ranks, he joined Arsenal in 2004 and ended his first season in London with two weeks in custody in Rotterdam on suspicion. The charges were subsequently dropped. Is likely to be one of three attacking midfielders at Euro 2008. Shows real talent when fit, especially with free kicks, but has suffered from a string of injuries in his time with Arsenal. His best year was 2006-07, scoring 11 league goals in 22 games.

Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool). Forward

Born

:

22.7.80

Caps

:

41

Goals

:

8

Hard-working central striker who never gives up and broke into the Dutch squad under Marco van Basten, playing twice at the 2006 World Cup. Player of the Year in the Netherlands during his last season at Feyenoord before joining Liverpool in 2006. Has failed to set the Kop alight, scoring only three Premier League goals this season, though was an important figure in the Champions League campaign. Dropped for two international friendlies due to loss of form.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic). Forward

Born

:

11.7.78

Caps

:

17

Goals

:

3

Tough striker who had a five-year spell at PSV Eindhoven before joining Celtic after the 2006 World Cup. Has settled in well, averaging out at a goal every other game this season. Struggled hard to find the net for the national side, failing to score in his first 11 games, but has since scored in the three consecutive friendlies. Usually used as a 'pinch hitter' in the last quarter of the game.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax Amsterdam). Forward

Born

:

12.8.83

Caps

:

13

Goals

:

8

Came up through the ranks at PSV Eindhoven before joining Heerenveen in 2004. Has scored so far 129 goals in 173 league matches to date and was top scorer in the second division in 2004 and in the first division in 2006 and 2008. Joined Ajax in Jan. 2006 and has scored 70 goals in 82 league matches. A member of the Under-21 squad who won the 2006 European championship he will be second to Van Nistelrooy..