Emanuelson axed in Dutch cut

AC Milan defender Urby Emmanuelson was among the victims as Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk trimmed his preliminary squad for UEFA EURO 2012 down to 27 players today.

Van Marwijk last week unveiled an initial 36-man selection for next month's tournament in Poland and Ukraine and must name his final 23-man selection by 29 May.

In addition to Emanuelson, who was vying for a place at left-back, Van Marwijk also dispensed with the services of Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Alexander Buttner (Vitesse Arnhem), John Ola (FC Twente), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Nick Viergever (AZ Alkmaar), Erwin Mulder, Stefan de Vrij (both Feyenoord) and Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).

Uncapped teenage midfielder Adam Maher of AZ Alkmaar remains part of the Oranje squad for now.

The Dutch, who are preparing for a training camp in Lausanne, Switzerland, starting this Thursday and running until 26 May, have been drawn in Group B at EURO 2012, with Germany, Portugal and Denmark.