Oranje in Euro2004

Dick Advocaat has announced his temporary 23-man squad for Euro2004. Not much surprises actually, although I wished he had some surprises.

Here's the squad:
Edwin van der Sar (Fulham), Ronald Waterreus (PSV), Sander Westerveld (Real Sociedad); Frank de Boer (Glasgow Rangers), Wilfred Bouma (PSV), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Johnny Heitinga (Ajax), Michael Reiziger (Barcelona), Jaap Stam (Lazio); Mark van Bommel (PSV), Philip Cocu (Barcelona), Edgar Davids (Barcelona), Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax), Boudewijn Zenden (Middlesbrough); Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahce), Patrick Kluivert (Barcelona), Roy Makaay (Bayern Munchen), Andy van der Meyde (Inter Milan), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Marc Overmars (Barcelona), Arjen Robben (PSV).

On standby as reserves: Jerrel 'Jimmy Floyd' Hasselbaink (Chelsea), Mario Melchiot (Chelsea), Paul Bosvelt (Manchester City), Andre Ooijer (PSV).

On paper this is a really good squad and are capable of winning Euro2004. I hope they will. Picking the best 11 to start a match will be damn difficult with the quality wandering around there. The good thing is that Advocaat can switch styles easily as these players are capable of playing different tactics.

I wished Advocaat had the guts to call up some young guns instead. Maarten Stekelenburg instead of Waterreus or Westerveld. Robin van Persie instead of Bolo Zenden. And Nigel de Jong should be there as well. Frank de Boer is there because he wants to end his career with a nice trophy. His playing is nowhere near his top standard anymore and among all the defenders listed, he's probably the worst.

Here's hoping that these guys win the Euro2004!

"Hup Holland Hup! Laat de leeuw niet in z'n hempie staan"