Holland, who will be the Azzurri’s opponent in the Euro 2008 group stage, trim down their squad from 29 to 26 as the final squad become clearer ahead of the Euro 2008 group stage.

Ajax defender Urby Emanuelson, Kew Jailens of AZ Alkmaar, Hedwiges Maduro of Valencia and PSV Eindhoven forward Danny Koevermans have all been dropped from the squad, while Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf withdraws from the squad, being unhappy with his role in the Dutch setup. 

Real Madrid trio Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink will join up with the squad later this month as all have club obligations to fulfil.

Former Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz, now with Seville is invited to join a pre-tournament training camp. Boulahrouz has only just returned to action after a long period out with a groin injury and the Holland coaching staff want to assess his fitness level.

Van Basten’s final 23-man squad will be announced by May 28 at the latest.

Holland last won the competition back in 1988, with Milan influential Dutch trio of Van Basten himself, former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit and out-going Barca coach Frank Rijkaard playing a vital part in that competition. Van Basten will surely wants to emulate his success as a coach this time around, but qualify at the expense of World Cup winner Italy and Runners-up France in the group stage will be a gigantic task.

Revised Holland squad:

Goalkeepers:
Boschker (FC Twente), Van der Sar (Manchester United), Stekelenburg (Ajax), Timmer (Feyenoord);

Defenders:
Bouma (Aston Villa), De Cler (Feyenoord), Boulahrouz (Sevilla), Heitinga (Ajax), Mathijsen (Hamburg), Melchiot (Wigan), Ooijer (Blackburn);

Midfielders:
Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Engelaar (FC Twente), De Jong (Hamburg), Landzaat (Feyenoord), Sneijder (Real Madrid), Van der Vaart (Hamburg), De Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar);

Forwards:
Babel (Liverpool), Huntelaar (Ajax), Kuyt (Liverpool), Van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Van Persie (Arsenal), Robben (Real Madrid), Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic).

 

Two of the best Striker in World Football, scoring more than hundreds of goals between them, yet Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi are still not assured of a place in the Azzurri squad for Euro 2008. This just sums up how big the pool of talents are available for Roberto Donadoni to choose. With exactly one month to Euro 2008, both of these mans are staking a claim to be included in the Azzurri squad, and quite rightly so!

Del Piero has been instrumental to Juventus this season, scoring 18 goals in Serie A this season. Though he has not played for his country since a goalless qualifying match against France in September, he has been instrumental in helping Juventus to secure 3rd place and qualification to Champions League next season in Juve’s 1st season back in the top flight. Juve was relegated over the 2006 match-fixing scandal.

‘I think I have deserved (a place at) the European championships with a beautiful season. In the end (Italy coach Roberto) Donadoni will calmly make his selection and he’ll bank on those who deserve it,’ Del Piero said.

Inzaghi, meanwhile has been in a remarkable run of scoring form currently, with 9 goals in his last 5 matches. Injuries have restricted him to just 12 league starts for AC Milan this season, but this might swing to his advantage as being fresher and less fatigue than the other players. Inzaghi’s crucial goal in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Inter, his 99th goal for the Rossoneri, extended his remarkable run, sending a timely message to the Azzurri coach.

"Donadoni already knows me well, It’s up to him to decide if I would be useful to the squad or not," said Inzaghi.

"I’m not saying I should be selected just because I’ve scored a few goals recently, but I was already part of the qualifying campaign. I’ve had some physical problems this season but my current form is excellent. I’d really love to get the chance to score more goals for my country," Inzaghi added.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has hinted he may recall in-form Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero for Euro 2008, and this is great news for his fans. He has not played for his country since giving a poor performance in a goalless Euro 2008 qualifier against France in September.

But with his current league form of 18 Serie A goals, calls to bring him back have been mounting. And Donadoni suggested Del Piero could be in line for a recall.

"Thank you because I could easily say, six months ago I didn’t know, but today, yes, [I’d take him] at once, the facts speak for themselves," he replied. "But I’ll only talk about selections on the pre-established date."

Del Piero is arguably one of the most famous Italian footballers, along other renowned name Roberto Baggio and Francesco Totti. He started out as an striker, but now he is playing at the supporting striker position, amazing. Though unusually short for a striker, his unbelievable creative ability on the pitch and an incredible skill for dribbling around defenders make him one of the best strikers around.

Del Piero has become Italian football legend playing for his club Juventus, although he hasn’t had the same sort of success playing for the Azzurri. Yet he is still Italy’s 4th all-time top scorer.

Italia ‘90 hero Toto Schillaci believes Del Piero’s form warrants a recall. “Del Piero is a great player,” Schillaci said “It is right that the Nazionale calls those who are in good shape and at the moment that is Del Piero.”