sport

Dutch name 35-man squad

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has named a preliminary squad of 35 players 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."

Holland will face Denmark, Germany and Portugal in Group B, with all the Dutch fixtures to be played at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv.

Netherlands 35-man preliminary squad for Euro 2012:

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Erwin Mulder (Feyenoord).

Defenders: John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Malaga), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), Nick Viergever (AZ), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Jetro Willems (PSV).

Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham), Kevin Strootman (PSV), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Lisbon), Urby Emanuelson (AC Milan), Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Siem de Jong (Ajax), Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar).

Strikers: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Luciano Narsingh (Heerenveen), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV), Ola John (FC Twente), Jeremain Lens (PSV).