Kluivert return lifts Dutch

By Berend Scholten

FC Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert has been recalled to the Netherlands squad for Wednesday's friendly against fellow UEFA EURO 2004™ finalists Greece.

Playing again
Because of a knee injury, the 27-year-old forward has not played for his country since November last year, when the Dutch beat Scotland 6-0 to secure their place in Portugal this summer. However, Kluivert returned to the Barça lineup earlier this month, which was good enough for Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat to call on him for the match in Eindhoven.

Experienced foursome
Also back in the squad is Kluivert's club-mate Giovanni van Bronckhorst along with Frank de Boer, Jaap Stam and Clarence Seedorf. All four missed the goalless draw against France on 31 March while Mario Melchiot, Nigel de Jong and Paul Bosvelt who all figured last time have been dropped.

Time running out
Advocaat has continued with AFC Ajax youngsters Johnny Heitinga and Wesley Sneijder, and they look to have every chance of being on the plane in June. The Greece match is the last international warm-up for the Dutch before the coach names his final 23-man squad in mid-May.

Netherlands squad
Van der Sar, Waterreus, De Boer, Bouma, Van Bronckhorst, Heitinga, Reiziger, Stam, Zenden, Van Bommel, Cocu, Davids, Seedorf, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Van Hooijdonk, Kluivert, Makaay, Van der Meyde, Van Nistelrooij, Overmars.