Bosvelt answers Dutch call

By Berend Scholten

PSV Eindhoven captain Mark van Bommel will definitely miss the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™ and will be replaced in the Netherlands squad by Manchester City FC midfield player Paul Bosvelt.

Achilles tendon injury
The 27-year-old has been withdrawn as his achilles tendon, sustained in the final league game of the season against ADO Den Haag on 9 May, is not likely to heal in time for him to play a significant role in the tournament.

Wednesday deadline
A Royal Netherlands Football Assocition statement read: "There was a prospect of improvement in Van Bommel's condition. But becuase our final squad has to be with UEFA on Wednesday, it has been decided, after joint deliberation with the national team coach, the medical staff and Van Bommel, that this would be the best solution."

Retirement pending
The 34-year-old Bosvelt, one of four players on standby, has been chosen as Van Bommel's replacement by coach Dick Advocaat. The 21-time Dutch international has already announced that he will retire from international football after this tournament.

Faroe friendly
The Dutch lost 1-0 against neighbours Belgium on Saturday and face the Faroe Islands on Tuesday in Lausanne, Switzerland in their next warm-up match. They begin their EURO 2004™ campaign against Germany on 15 June.

Netherlands squad

Goalkeepers
Edwin van der Sar (Fulham FC)
Ronald Waterreus (PSV Eindhoven)
Sander Westerveld (Real Sociedad de Fútbol)

Defenders
Frank de Boer (Rangers FC)
Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven)
Giovanni van Bronckhorst (FC Barcelona)
Johnny Heitinga (AFC Ajax)
Michael Reiziger (FC Barcelona)
Jaap Stam (AC Milan)

Midfielders
Paul Bosvelt (Manchester City FC)
Phillip Cocu (FC Barcelona)
Edgar Davids (FC Barcelona, loan from Juventus FC)
Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan)
Wesley Sneijder (AFC Ajax)
Rafael van der Vaart (AFC Ajax)
Boudewijn Zenden (Middlesbrough FC)

Forwards
Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahçe SK)
Patrick Kluivert (FC Barcelona)
Roy Makaay (FC Bayern München)
Andy van der Meyde (FC Internazionale)
Ruud van Nistelrooij (Manchester United FC)
Marc Overmars (FC Barcelona)
Arjen Robben (PSV Eindhoven)