Position: Defender
Born: 27.02.75
Club: AZ Alkmaar

Barry Opdam will be an integral member of Holland's defensive unit this summer after flourishing since his belated introduction to the international scene.

The AZ Alkmaar man was brought into Holland side's midway through the qualifying campaign and instantly became an immense figure at the back, helping them keep clean sheets in all six matches he played in.

He also made a telling contribution in their penultimate clash in the Czech Republic, scoring the second goal in a crucial 2-0 victory which sealed their passage to Germany.

At club level he is seen as one of the finest and most reliable defenders in the Dutch Eredivisie and has helped AZ compete at the top of the league with the likes of PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord.

Opdam's only weakness is his lack of international experience but at 30 he's no newcomer to the game and should be able to handle the pressure.

• 11 Arjen Robben
• 20 Wesley Sneijder
• 22 Henk Timmer
• 18 Mark van Bommel
• 5 Gio van Bronckhorst
• 1 Edwin van der Sar
• 10 Rafael van der Vaart
• 9 Ruud van Nistelrooy
• 17 Robin van Persie
• 19 Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink