ROURKELA: "I'm a guy with a story," Dennis Warmerdam smiles. It's near the end of a 10-minute conversation with The Netherlands player when he offers this. It's a story that includes not knowing what his medical condition was, learning he was suffering from a very rare cancer, an unsuccessful chemo, surgery, a hospital suggesting amputation and doctors telling him he wouldn't be able to play the sport again. But Warmerdam, who's one of the reserve players with the side, didn't give up. He tried everything. He even gave up red meat because he had read — 'I don't even know if it's a rumour or something like that,' he says — that consuming it makes the tumour worse.
Irrespective of whether he takes the field or not — reserve players could be drafted if and when the need arises — it's some story. If he does take the field, his arc will be complete. For he will have experienced everything from death of a dream to living his dream.