Boulahrouz falls at final hurdle
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Article summary
Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has settled on his 23 players for UEFA EURO 2008™ with Khalid Boulahrouz the final player to be omitted from a 30-man draft squad.
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Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has settled on his 23 players for UEFA EURO 2008™ with Khalid Boulahrouz the final player to be omitted from a 30-man provisional squad.
Disrupted season
The 26-year-old on-loan Sevilla FC defender was called up last week because of fitness concerns surrounding André Ooijer and Mario Melchiot, having been initially left out of the preliminary party. Boulahrouz caught the eye in the Oranje's 3-0 win against the Ukraine on Saturday – his first appearance since November due to a groin injury – but Melchiot's 31 English Premier League outings with Wigan Athletic FC this season were the "important factor" in Van Basten's decision.
Omitted players
On Sunday, Van Basten had dropped goalkeeper Sander Boschker and midfielder Denny Landzaat from his squad, while Urby Emanuelson, Kew Jaliens, Hedwiges Maduro and Danny Koevermans were left out two weeks ago.
Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AFC Ajax), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord).
Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Johnny Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic FC), André Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers FC).
Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Orlando Engelaar (FC Twente), Nigel de Jong (Hamburger SV), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid CF), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar).
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool FC), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid CF), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid CF), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic FC).