Boulahrouz available for Dutch

Players to wear black armbands in quarter-final against Russia

Last updated: 20th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Boulahrouz available for Dutch

Boulahrouz: Ready to play

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Khalid Boulahrouz has put himself forward for selection for Holland's Euro 2008 quarter-final with Russia.

The defender left the Dutch training camp earlier this week following the death of his prematurely-born baby daughter Anissa.

The tragedy had a major impact on the Holland squad and cast into doubt Boulahrouz's participation in the rest of the tournament.

He trained with his team-mates on Friday and Dutch coach Marco van Basten has confirmed Boulahrouz is in contention to face Russia on Saturday.

Focused

"Khalid reacted like an adult," said Van Basten. "He wanted the squad to focus on the quarter-final with Russia.

"He said to me 'coach, you can count on me 100 per cent. I am focused on Saturday's match'.

"I am very happy because he is an important player for us."

The Dutch players will also wear black armbands for the last-eight encounter with Guus Hiddink's Russia in Basel.

Van Basten added: "It was a moment that can make the team spirit stronger because one of the players has had such a very sad private situation.

"Several players are very close to Khalid and it concerned the whole squad."