Holland to consider 35 men for Euros

Posted Tuesday, May 08, 2012 by ESPN

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has named a preliminary squad of 35 ahead of next month's European Championships.

Van Marwijk had initially also called up PSV Eindhoven's Erik Pieters but the defender later pulled out because tests showed he would not recover from a foot injury in time.

Pieters has played 15 internationals since making his debut in 2010 and was considered Van Marwijk's first choice at left-back.

Van Marwijk said that Pieters' absence was bad news for his team's preparations "but it is particularly bitter news for Erik".

Ibrahim Afellay has been called up despite his season with Barcelona having been severely disrupted by a knee injury.

Van Marwijk said: "We still have the Dutch play-offs, foreign leagues and cup finals as well as the final of the Champions League.

"Furthermore, there are players coming back from injuries.

"But it is a great opportunity to see these players close up."

Squad: Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Urby Emanuelson (AC Milan), John Heitinga (Everton), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Ola John (FC Twente), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Siem de Jong (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (PSV Eindhoven), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (Malaga), Erwin Mulder (Feyenoord), Luciano Narsingh (Heerenveen), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Lisbon), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham), Nick Viergever (AZ Alkmaar), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Michel Vorm (Swansea), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven), Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven).