Trio miss cut in Netherlands squad

Netherlands coach Roger Reijners has released his final squad for UEFA Women's EURO 2013, cutting Merel van Dongen, Kika van Es and Maayke Heuver from his provisional selection.

The Finland 2009 semi-finalists continued their preparations with a 3-1 friendly victory against Australia on Saturday, but there was bad news for Van Dongen, Van Es and Heuver 24 hours later as Reijners named his 23 players for Sweden 2013. The 49-year-old had originally selected a 31-player long list, with Marije Brummel, Ellen Jansen, Tessel Middag and Kelly Zeeman victims of an earlier cut and goalkeeper Laura Du Ry pulling out with a shoulder injury.

Reijners is now focused on getting the most out of his squad, and he believes that the Oranje still have room for improvement. "We are on the right track, but we still have to improve a lot if we want to make a step closer to the top of the European game," he said. "We have to improve in all aspects, and we're able to do that. In the Netherlands, there are huge developments happening in women's football, but that's true at international level as well and it keeps continuing."

The Netherlands open their campaign against holders Germany on 11 July, before facing fellow Group B rivals Norway and Iceland. "We are in a very tough Group with Germany, Norway and Iceland," added Reijners. "All three matches are of huge importance when you look at the criteria for reaching the quarter-finals."

Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Angela Christ (PSV/FC Eindhoven), Loes Geurts (Vittsjö GIK), Sari van Veenendaal (FC Twente).

Defenders: Mandy van den Berg (Vittsjö GIK), Dyanne Bito (sc Telstar), Claudia van den Heiligenberg (sc Telstar), Daphne Koster (AFC Ajax), Mirte Roelvink (FSV Gütersloh 2009), Leonne Stentler (AFC Ajax), Siri Worm (FC Twente).

Midfielders: Anouk Dekker (FC Twente), Daniëlle van de Donk (PSV/FC Eindhoven), Anouk Hoogendijk (AFC Ajax), Desiree van Lunteren (AFC Ajax), Renée Slegers (Linköpings FC), Sherida Spitse (FC Twente), Kirsten van de Ven (Tyresö FF).

Forwards: Lieke Martens (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Manon Melis (FC Malmö), Marlous Pieëte (FC Twente), Chantal de Ridder (AFC Ajax), Sylvia Smit (PEC Zwolle), Mandy Versteegt (AFC Ajax).