Starting hope for Heitinga

Behind closed doors
AFC Ajax defender Heitinga was favoured in the right-back position during a behind-closed-doors session at the Dutch training camp today. While the work-out was intended to be closed to the media and supporters, the training pitch was visible from nearby hills.

Likely lads
Jaap Stam, Wilfred Bouma and Giovanni van Bronkhorst joined Heitinga in defence, while the midfield included Wesley Sneijder, Phillip Cocu and Edgar Davids. The attack consisted of Andy van der Meyde and Rafael van der Vaart playing behind Ruud van Nistelrooij. Edwin van der Sar will almost certainly be fit to play in goal even though his bruised finger meant he trained apart. A hospital check-up has shown no major damage.

Seedorf chance
There was another injury boost for the Dutch as Clarence Seedorf continued his rapid recovery from a hamstring injury. The AC Milan midfield player was expected to be out for a month but, although he trained separately today, the Royal Netherlands Football Association said: "There is a chance he will be available for selection against Germany on Tuesday."

Overmars swansong
Finally, winger Marc Overmars has followed the lead of Stam and announced his intention to retire from international football following the finals. "It would be good for older players to say goodbye so that fans could see new faces in the future," Overmars said. Defender Stam announced he was quitting the international stage last month just after completing a move to Italian champions Milan.