April 23rd, 2012 Update: Only 14 players remain on the roster. 2 more players will be dropped in a few days and the final 12 will fly to Turkey for the Olympic Qualification. 3 players didn’t make the cut due to injuries: Chaine Staelens (knee injury), Anne Buijs (shin pain) and Femke Stoltenborg (sprained ankle).
The Dutch team will play a couple of friendly matches against Bulgaria and Turkey prior to the tournament.
Here’s the current roster:
Setters: Kim Staelens, Laura Dijkema
Liberos: Janneke van Tienen, Myrthe Schoot
Middle blockers: Caroline Wensink, Robin de Kruijf, Quinta Steenbergen, Nicole Koelhaas
Outside hitters: Debby Stam-Pilon, Maret Grothues, Lonneke Slöetjes, Angelique Vergeer
Opposites: Manon Flier (C), Judith Pietersen
(source: cev.lu)
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We hope the new coach can produce and develop more powerful and stronger player to support Manon Flier. If he succeeds, then no doubt that the Dutch Team can reclaim their throne as one of the best teams from Europe.
Agree?
The current roster has a lot of new faces which means the future is bright for The Netherlands. Coach Gido Vermeulen is really working on developing a new breed of players which is a good plan. We commend him for doing this.
In case you didn’t know, the Dutch team will compete at the European Olympic Qualification next month in Ankara, Turkey against 7 others teams which includes the host, Russia, Germany and Serbia. If Manon Flier and Team win this tourney then they will compete at the London Olympics. If not, then their Olympic dreams get crushed again.
Here’s the 2012 Preliminary Roster:
Even if she has announced her retirement early this year, Coach has included Ingrid Visser because of her experience.
We <3 Ingrid!
Best wishes to the Dutch Team!
THOUGHTS?
Side Dish: The Dutch team won the 1995 European Championship and the 2007 World Grand Prix. The last major major achievement they’ve attained was winning the Silver Medal at the 2009 European Championship. Just Sharing.
(image: FIVB/ source: volleybal.nl)
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