Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has named a 36-man preliminary squad for Euro 2012, with the Premier League well represented within his ranks.
Van Persie, Kuyt and Krul among those to make the grade
Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has named a 36-man preliminary squad for Euro 2012, with the Premier League well represented within his ranks.
The 2010 World Cup finalists are among the favourites to go all the way in Ukraine and Poland this summer, and have a wealth of world-class talent at their disposal.
Among those hoping to make the grade when Van Marwijk whittles his selection down to 23 players is Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie, who will be expected to replicate his impressive domestic form on the international stage.
Newcastle's Tim Krul and Swansea's Michel Vorm are battling it out for goalkeeping berths, while John Heitinga of Everton is among the defensive hopefuls.
Rafael van der Vaart of Tottenham will be looking to bring creativity in midfield, with Manchester City's Nigel de Jong adding much-needed bite.
Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt is also hoping to be involved, allowing him to put a frustrating season at Anfield behind him.
Overlooked
Among those to have been overlooked by Van Marwijk is Everton's on-loan midfielder Royston Drenthe.
Juventus winger Eljero Elia also misses out and there is no place in the 36-man party for Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who has netted 22 times for Sporting Lisbon this season.
PSV Eindhoven full-back Eric Pieters was initially included, but he has been forced to accept that injury will keep him out of Euro 2012 and Alexander Buttner has been drafted in as a replacement.
"We have, as a technical staff, worked closely to achieve as balanced a group as possible," said Van Marwijk, who will trim his squad to 27 after a two-day training camp.
"You have to take into account the Dutch play-offs, foreign leagues and cup finals, and the final of the Champions League.
"There are players coming back from injury and there is a great opportunity for those we have been following closely to impress at the training session."
Holland's 36-man preliminary squad for Euro 2012:
Goalkeepers: Erwin Mulder (Feyenoord), Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea City), Tim Krul (Newcastle United).
Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Malaga), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Alexander Buttner (Vitesse Arnhem), Nick Viergever (AZ Alkmaar).
Midfielders: Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Siem de Jong (Ajax), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Lisbon), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven), Urby Emanuelson (AC Milan).
Attack: Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Ola John (FC Twente), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (PSV Eindhoven), Luciano Narsingh (Heerenveen), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).
