Van Basten names 30-man squad

(AFP)
Tuesday 6 May 2008

Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has unveiled a pre-selection of 30 players for UEFA EURO 2008. The list, which lived up to Van Basten's promise of "a squad without surprise and without newcomers", will be cut back to 23 before 28 May.

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, who was overlooked for last month's friendly against Austria, has been included along with Real Madrid forward Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who recently return from an ankle injured.

The Netherlands open their EURO 2008 campaign against Italy on 9 June, and will also play France and Romania in the first round.

Netherlands squad;
Goalkeepers: Sander Boschker (Twente), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United/ENG), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord)

Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa/ENG), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord), Urby Emanuelson (Ajax), John Heitinga (Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg/GER), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers/ENG)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Orlando Engelaar (Twente), Nigel de Jong (Hamburg/GER), Denny Landzaat (Feyenoord), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia/ESP), Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan/ITA), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid/ESP), Rafael van der Vaart (SV Hamburg), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar)

Strikers: Ryan Babel (Liverpool/ENG), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Danny Koevermans (PSV Eindhoven), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool/ENG), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid/ESP), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic/SCO).