Hup Holland

Finally

The world cup is almost near, and thankfully the teams are now being named, and with that I give my preview on the Dutch team that was named today by the great Marco Van Basten, who lead us to glory in 1988 at the Euro championships. While most names were known before today, Marco was able to delight us with a few selection and force us to wonder why he overlooked others, but that is sports, it brings to us great debates on selections, and allows us to socialize with others by talking about this. So in the grand scheme of things, sports and this selection process provide us the means to communicate with other people, which in the end can lead us to network and in general learn something.

So here's the line up

Keepers: Edwin van der Sar, Maarten Stekelenburg en Henk Timmer

No Surprise here at all, to be honest Edwin van der Sar is the leader of this team this year. The only person close to as much experience as him is Cocu, this could be his final world cup and the last time he will be able to lead the Oranje, he has all the skills and experience necessary to bring this team. Henk Timmer has been the shadows for a while, and maybe he will get his chance soon enough, for now him and Stekelenburg will just have to learn from the savy veteran, with the way he keeps his defensemen in order.

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Tim de Cler, Johnny Heitinga, Kew Jaliens, Jan Kromkamp, Joris Mathijsen en André Ooijer

Barry Opdam might be just about the most notable selection left off this roster, to be honest I was very surprised, he proved himself for the national team with the way he played in the qualifying round, and it was a bitter blow to him that he didn't make it. At the same time though he is an extremely small centerback and with playing the big Serbs, and having to be able to contain Drogba, Van Basten seems to have thought that the big his defense the better. He at one point had attempted to even pursue and get Jaap Stam back (yes that Jaap, you penalty kick misser). So I see his logic, but at the same time I don't understand why he picked Mathijsen or de Cler, they have done very little for the national team and were the surprise choices of this group. Look for a back four that consists of Gio, Boulahrouz, Heitinga and Kromkamp.

Midfielders: Mark van Bommel, Phillip Cocu, Denny Landzaat, Hedwiges Maduro, Wesley Sneijder en Rafael van der Vaart

Well no real surprises here, other than the fact that Davids was kept off the team. Mind you that's probobly for the better in the end, he's a very talented player, but has caused a few tiffs with the team. Hopefully van der Vaart will be fit enough in time for the world cup. To some it was a surprise to see Landzaat on the squad, but his ability to play well during the qualification stage and his ball movement made him an easy selection. If the Dutch have a strength it's going to be the play of there midfielders, they have the ability to place and of the 6 guys in there and have them move the ball around without a problem. Look for the start 3 at midfield to be Cocu, van der Vaart and van Bommel.

Forwards: Ryan Babel , Dirk Kuyt, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben en Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

No Klaas Jan Huntelaar, after so much speculation that he was going to get a spot over the greatest last name in sports; Vennegoor of Hesselink. Also the fact that Babel got picked over McKay was a surprise, but in the end it should have been expected. Realistically you now have 3 to 4 guys that can play the wing in : Babel, van Persie, Robben and Kuyt. You also have your two bangers as I like to call them (Ruud and Vennegoor of Hesselink). Expect to see a starting line up of Kuyt and Robben on the wings with Ruud in the middle. Around the 70th minute you will probobly see either van Persie or Hesselink, depending on what the Dutch need at the time. I do like the Babel pick, not only will it allow him to gain some experience, he may just crack the lineup in the end. There has been a lot of talk from people that he is the next big Dutch superstar and if anything he may just break out like Robben did at Euro 2004.

In closing right now, I'm very happy with the squad, lots of youth, with just enough veteran talent to keep everyone on track and go for the goal of winnning the world cup. Van Basten has put all his cards on the table with going with a youth lineup, and if it doesn't work he will be the one to take the blame, but so far he hasn't done badly and I will continue to agree that he is going in the right direction. Actually seeing smiles on the faces of all Dutch players in training camp is quite the accomplishment, hopeful they can play as a team and show the world what total football is all about.

Hup Holland