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).