Netherlands Euro 2004 Squad

Discussion in 'UEFA and Europe' started by Vandervaart, Jun 4, 2004.

  1. Vandervaart

    Vandervaart Member

    May 21, 2003
    London
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    HOLLAND PEN PICS

    GOALKEEPERS:
    Edwin van der Sar (Fulham) - 83 caps - 29/10/1970
    The giant Van der Sar is nudging ever closer to 100 international caps, but he is not without his critics. Made a glaring error late in the season with Fulham, allowing Jose Antonio Reyes to whip the ball off his feet and score a match-winning goal for Arsenal. At the age of 33, he remains firmly established as Holland's first-choice goalkeeper

    Ronald Waterreus (PSV Eindhoven) - 7 caps - 25/8/1970
    Like Van der Sar, Waterreus is 33 years old, and he may never be Holland's number one goalkeeper. But the back-up has many qualities and has done well to make the PSV goalkeeper's shirt his own for much of the past decade. Wears the number 23 shirt at PSV - his own tribute to basketball superstar Michael Jordan, who wore the same number. Made his international debut against England at the age of 30, but chances have been limited since.

    Sander Westerveld (Real Sociedad) - 6 caps - 23/10/1974
    For former Liverpool goalkeeper Westerveld, Euro 2004 could be a frustrating experience. Unless Van der Sar and Waterreus suffer an injury, he will remain third choice. He goes into the tournament on the back of a difficult season with Real Sociedad, with the team failing to live up to the previous campaign's second-placed finish. They battled against relegation for much of the campaign, eventually securing top-flight status. Has rebuilt his career in Spain after being cruelly axed by Liverpool, with whom he won five trophies in the 2000/01 season.

    DEFENDERS:
    Frank de Boer (Rangers) - 13 caps -15/05/70
    Qatar-bound De Boer finds himself in an unusual position this summer, in that brother Ronald is not also in Holland's squad. The twins have been regular features in the Holland team for the past decade, but time is catching up on both. De Boer is officially the Holland squad captain.

    Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven) - 11 caps - 15/06/78
    The left-back has matured in his five seasons at PSV Eindhoven and is now a fixture in the Holland set-up. Confident coming forward and composed at the back, Bouma will turn 26 during Euro 2004. He provides added width down the flanks and provides competition for Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

    Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona) - 05/02/05
    A successful season on loan at Barcelona has helped Van Bronckhorst recover his confidence, having struggled to establish himself at Arsenal. Set to stay at the Nou Camp on a long-term deal, Van Bronckhorst is adaptable and equally at home on the left side of defence or midfield.

    Johnny Heitinga (Ajax) - 5 caps - 15/11/03
    Twenty-year-old Heitinga is a product of the famed Ajax academy and his presence at Euro 2004 must go down as a medical miracle. He has suffered badly with injuries in his fledgling career, and fought back bravely after suffering a medial ligament injury to his left knee in 2002.

    Michael Reiziger (Barcelona) - 67 caps - 03/05/73
    Reiziger has been told that he can leave his club Barcelona, with Euro 2004 representing an ideal opportunity to put himself in the shop window.

    Jaap Stam (AC Milan) - 61 caps - 17/06/72
    The AC Milan new boy will be out to impress supporters of the Rossoneri as well as the Oranje this summer. Tall but comfortable on the ball and with a good range of passing, Stam is also a fierce tackler.

    MIDFIELDERS:
    Paul Bosvelt (Manchester City) - 22 caps - 26/03/70
    A late call-up to the squad, Bosvelt was brought in after PSV Eindhoven midfielder Mark van Bommel succumbed to an Achilles injury. Left Feyenoord last summer and joined Premiership outfit Manchester City, but the move has yet to pay off for the 34-year-old whose international debut came in March 2000.

    Phillip Cocu (Barcelona) - 78 caps - 29/10/70
    Cocu has personal gains to make at Euro 2004, having been told that his contract is not to be extended at Barcelona beyond the end of June. PSV are reportedly chasing him, and if personal terms are agreed, he would be an inspired signing for the 2003 Dutch champions

    Edgar Davids (Juventus) - 62 caps - 13/03/73
    Reignited his career with a loan move to Barcelona for the second half of last season. A tough tackler and hard worker, Davids is set to leave Juve in after these championships.

    Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan) - 72 caps - 01/04/76
    Seedorf has really come into his own at AC Milan after an indifferent time at city rivals Inter previously. Another to come through the Ajax youth ranks, Seedorf is quick and strong with a fine shot.

    Wesley Sneijder (Ajax) - 8 caps - 09/06/84
    Along with Ajax team-mate Rafael van der Vaart, Sneijder has established himself as an Oranje first teamer with a string of eye-catching displays. No doubt has a big future in the game and could well be one of the stars of Portugal.

    Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax) - 17 caps - 11/02/83
    Like Sneijder, Van der Vaart has established himself as a first-teamer despite the presence of more senior figures in the squad. A real leader in the midfield, Van der Vaart will surely be set for a big move to one of Europe's top clubs soon.

    Boudewijn Zenden (Chelsea) - 52 caps - 15/08/76
    Looks set to leave Chelsea in the summer having been shipped out to Middlesbrough on loan this season, and like Cocu can use Euro 2004 to catch the eye of big clubs. Quick and strong, the ex-Barca man has a powerful left foot.

    Marc Overmars (Barcelona) - 83 caps - 29/03/73
    Winger Overmars may have passed the 30 barrier age wise, but he is still an important and influential part of the Dutch midfield. Likely to start ahead of Zenden despite indifferent season for Barca.

    Arjen Robben (PSV Eindhoven) - 5 caps - 23/01/84
    A star for the future, Robben has been introduced into the international set up this term thanks to his impressive domestic displays. May only have cameo role in Portugal, but experience will put him in good stead. Will join Chelsea in the summer.

    Andy van der Meyde (Inter Milan) - 12 caps - 30/09/79
    Former Ajax product Van der Meyde adds balance to the side. His presence on the right side of midfield is crucial, although he will be disappointed with a goal return of one in 12 matches.

    Strikers:
    Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahce) - 39 caps - 29/11/69
    Never one to hide his feelings, Van Hooijdonk once famously went on strike while at Nottingham Forest after club refused to put him on transfer list. Now at Fenerbahce, the tall striker is still a handful for defences.

    Patrick Kluivert (Barcelona) - 78 caps - 01/07/76
    Another Barca player needing a new club next season. Quick and strong, the only real room for improvement is in the finishing department. That said, he still has 40 goals for Oranje.

    Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich) - 31 caps - 09/03/75
    Fresh from an excellent first season at Bayern, Makaay is likely to fight it out with Kluivert and Ruud van Nistelrooy for the two striker places.

    Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) - 32 caps - 01/07/76
    Not as prolific for Holland as he is his club side, nevertheless defenders can not afford to give him an inch in the area. All his 109 goals for United have come from inside the area.
     
  2. zizou98-00-04

    zizou98-00-04 New Member

    May 17, 2004
    USA
    oh no... i just read today that seedorf is causing trouble in the dutch camp... here we go again...

    :(
     
  3. zizou98-00-04

    zizou98-00-04 New Member

    May 17, 2004
    USA
    here's the article in question:

    --------------------------------

    Seedorf sows seeds of discord in Dutch squad
    Thu 3 June, 2004 21:21

    By Theo Ruizenaar

    AMSTERDAM, June 3 (Reuters) - AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has continued the history of discord in the Netherlands team ahead of major championships by saying he would refuse to play anywhere other than behind the front two at Euro 2004.

    "I feel strongly and think that my qualities stand out well in that position," said Seedorf. "For me it is out of the question that I will start the tournament in another position.

    "If (coach Dick) Advocaat decides different I will sit on the bench, it's that simple."

    Advocaat has already said that Rafael van der Vaart is his first choice for the position and Seedorf has been criticised by local media for his outburst.

    "Rafael has more scoring ability. I explained that to Seedorf but Clarence didn't agree. He disputes everything," said the Dutch coach.

    But Advocaat played down the apparent disagreement.

    "I consider it brave and professional that he told me he wanted only that position.

    "The most important part was that he told me that he would play in every position I put him...otherwise I would have dismissed him from the squad."

    Bickering, infighting and ego clashes have been endemic in the Dutch team in the build up to previous major tournaments.

    In 1978 Johan Cruyff and Willem van Hanegem, now Advocaat's assistant, refused to play at the World Cup finals in Argentina, while in 1990 in Italy, the squad said they had no confidence in coach Thijs Libregts, who was sacked.

    Just before the 1994 World Cup, Advocaat's first major tournament in charge, Ruud Gullit criticised the tactics, left the training camp and ended his international career while at Euro 96 in England, Edgar Davids criticised coach Guus Hiddink and was sent home.

    The Netherlands play their opening Group D match against Germany on June 15, before meeting Czech Republic on June 19 then Latvia four days later.

    --------------------------------

    "Seedorf sows seeds of discord in Dutch squad"... well, I guess someone had to do it...

    :D
     
  4. Vandervaart

    Vandervaart Member

    May 21, 2003
    London
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    Nat'l Team:
    Netherlands
    Seedorf is a muppet. As is Advocaat, last Thursday he publicly promised a starting place for Makaay in tonight's game against Ireland. He's now saying: no Makaay will not be playing, perhaps in the second half. He's such a whimp! Makaay should just leave, we got way too many strikers in the squad anyway. Advocaat should have selected Nigel de Jong , Andre Ooijer, and Maarten Stekelenburg instead of Seedorf, Kluivert and Waterreus.
     

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