By Al Clark
al@canucks-abroad.com

It seems the last lingering hopes of JDG2 suiting up in red, as opposed to Oranje, are fading fast; Marco van Basten has named the Feyenoord midfielder in a Euro 2008 warm up match squad.

Peter Mallett carries the story for the Globe and Mail http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080311.wsptguzman11/GSS...

Less than 2 months after receiving his Dutch citizenship, JDG2 could be on the field in Vienna against Austria. It's a surprising development for the younger de Guzmán brother, who seemed more likely to receive an Olympic call-up, and although that's still a possibility it seems the Ontario native might get a chance to stake a claim at the Euro 2008 squad instead.

Speaking with the Globe and Mail, de Guzmán is quoted as saying, "I didn't expect to be called up to the senior team so quickly and never really saw this coming. I thought I would be joining the Olympic team first. I am ready for the challenge and looking forward to it — it is really incredible to see my name included with the legends of the squad."

Jonathan de Guzmán did have a few words to soften the blow for fans back home, "It really was a big dilemma for me whether to choose Holland or Canada but I thought that if I wanted to become a better player I really needed to pick Holland to get to the big tournaments like the European Cup and World Cup," De Guzman said. "It is hard for Canada to even qualify for the World Cup but my decision wasn't an easy one because I love Canada too."

A real, yet inevitable, blow to all who follow the CMNT.

CA will be publishing a recent interview with JDG2 in the coming days. Please follow the link to the full article at the G&M.

Jonathan de Guzmán