Marco Van Basten, the Netherlands coach, has announced that 12 players from the country's UEFA Champions League semi-finalists are to participate in a training camp later on this month. Six of those players have never been invited to participate in the national team before.

Marco Van Basten, the Netherlands coach, has announced that 12 players from the country's UEFA Champions League semi-finalists are to participate in a training camp later on this month. Six of those players have never been invited to participate in the national team before. This training session will take place on May 25th, 26th and 27th and would help the team better prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Romania on June 4th and Finland on June 8th.

PSV Eindhoven's Edwin Zoetebier and Theo Lucius, and AZ Alkmaar's Henk Timmer, Barry Opdam, Ron Vlaar and Olaf Lindenberg have never before been invited to participate in the national team's efforts to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. PSV will also provide 5 more players, including Mark van Bommel, Phillip Cocu, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Andre Ooijer and Wilfred Bouma, with AZ's Denny Landzaat and Arsenal's Robin van Persie completing the list of players invited.

Even though 29 players were invited, some players will not be available for this training session, due to club commitments. PSV Eindhoven players won't be participating as their club participates in the Amstel Cup final. Barcelona's defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Bayern Munich's striker Roy Makaay will also be absent.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Roy Makaay were also chosen for the team, but coach Marko Van Basten again omitted Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert, who happens to be the team's all time top scorer. The Netherlands lead the Group 1 European qualifying group with 16 points.

Marko Van Basten will announce the squad for the June qualifiers on May 27th.

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