Van Basten - Decision time ?

Defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers are battling for squad places as the Netherlands' pre-finals programme starts with a game against Ukraine on Saturday.

Decisive fixture
Marco van Basten's side welcome Ukraine at De Kuip in Rotterdam in the first of three friendly fixtures arranged to gear up for UEFA EURO 2008™, but the match is likely to be the end of the road for three players. A goalkeeper, defender and midfielder are all expected to fall by the wayside as the coach looks to reduce his 26-man provisional squad down to 23 before the 28 May deadline. "We would prefer to decide on the squad this weekend, but due to circumstances we have to be careful," said Van Basten.

Notable absentees
The coach does not yet have a full selection to pick from. Robin van Persie (thigh) and Mario Melchiot (groin) are injured and Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink are "most unlikely to play" against Ukraine, as they are only due to join the squad on Friday. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and midfielder Wesley Sneijder, meanwhile, will not arrive until Monday.

Key selections
A goalkeeper – Henk Timmer or Sander Boschker – is sure to miss the cut, while one from the defensive trio of Khalid Boulahrouz, Melchiot and André Ooijer is earmarked for disappointment. "I do not need all three of them, so one of those three will drop out," Van Basten said. "Hopefully all three will be fit after the weekend, so we can make a better choice." If Melchiot can regain his fitness in time, Boulahrouz is likely to be the aggrieved party.

EURO ambition
Van Basten explained that he will try and use his projected first XI for 9 June's Group C opener against Italy in the subsequent friendlies against Denmark (29 May) and Wales (1 June). "EURO is a kind of re-examination," he said. "Since the [FIFA] World Cup we have grown as a team, and are two years more mature. Expectations and demands are higher, and with good reason."

'Test run'
Nigel de Jong, Demy de Zeeuw, Denny Landzaat and Orlando Engelaar appear to be vying for three midfield places and in all Van Basten will have a lot to consider during and after the Ukraine game. "This is a first test run," he said. "We are experimenting on the road to the EURO. The result and performance matter, but are of less importance for now."