Eurosport - Thu, 12 Jun 13:48:00 2008
Dutch winger Arjen Robben has recovered from a groin injury and is fit to face France in their Group C game at Euro 2008.
The injury-prone midfielder missed the Netherlands' emphatic 3-0 victory over world champions Italy on Monday and had been considered a doubt for Friday's game, also in Berne.
"Arjen joined today's group training without any problem, so he is fit for the match against France," coach Marco van Basten said.
"We are pleased with the good [work] our medical staff have done."
As for whether he should change a side who had thrashed the World Cup holders, he said: "It is tough if you consider changing a winning team, but it is a luxury problem.
"And I hope to have more problems like that during this tournament."
The Netherlands will qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat a sluggish France side who were held to a goalless draw by Romania on Monday in Zurich.
Van Basten, whose men drew and lost to Romania during Euro 2008 qualifying, was not surprised by France's stalemate.
"It is really tough to play against them [Romania] as they play with a tight defence and hardly give away any space to create chances," said the Dutch coach.
"France really have to go for a win right now and that places us in a position where we can wait and see how the match develops.
"But for us, it will be difficult to equal Monday's level."
Defender Mario Melchiot and striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, neither of whom are seen as first-choice players, worked out separately from the rest of the squad during Thursday's training session.
Comment 1 - 4 of 4
Thank you Seabass. I assumed he wouldn't start today due the fact he hasn't played yet, but he if he looks good as a sub, who knows? The coach says he's fit. Even though I'm a Chelsea fan, I like Kuyt. He's got skills & alot of hustle.
well Darth (can i call you Vader as last name - lol) i don't think and hope Robben doesn't start since he is in my opinion not fit. the front 4 were excellent Monday night, so that won't and should not change. if France deploy Evra at left-back, we need Kuyt, to mark him tirelessly as he does every time for Liverpool. things that might change is De Jong out and De Zeeuw in. Boulahrouz could also drop out to be replaced by Melchiot. what do you think of that.?
If Robben ends up starting against Romania, who do you think he'll be replacing in the starting line-up? I think it would be a difficult choice to put Kuyt on the bench.
Did Robben not say that when he moved to Madrid he would prove he is 'not made of glass'?! The guy is seriously injury prone. Him, micheal owen, louis saha, keiron dyer and all the other players who spend more time on the treatment table than on the pitch should get together and form Crocks United. They would win the champions league if they ever had 11 players available
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