Group Elimination B: Saturday, 9 June 2012 - Kharkiv - Metalist Stadium

Netherlands enters the tournament on a high note but, placed in what’s called the “Group Of Death” stage along with Netherlands in this stage is powerhouse Germany, Denmark there are no guarantees when it comes to the knock out stage.

Netherlands

The Dutch put together a nice run by winning 9 out of its 10 last matches (The only loss coming to Sweden) in a death match that had already been secured. Netherlands amassed an astounding 37 goals with an eye popping average of 3.5 per game. The Dutch team has a very aggressive attack being led by a talented group of mid fielders and strikers. Leading the way is striker Robin Van Persie who is most noted for scoring 4 goals last September in a blow out against San Marino. Along with Van Persie is winger Dirk Kuyt who is known for his tireless stamina and aerial ability. Holland is stacked with scorers having amassed 88 goals between Van Persie and Huntelaar leading the way. There high scoring attack has earned them the name ”The Brazil of the Euros.”

Denmark

Danes enter the tournament coming out of a tough qualifying round against Iceland, Portugal and Norway. But, managed to win 6 out of 8 matches losing to Portugal who happened to qualify also for the finals will meet each other in the 2nd group game. Considering that they were in tough company, The Danes managed to score in every one of their qualifying game. That says a lot considering the competition they had. Led by center forward Niklas Bendtner and mid fielder Michael Krohn-Delhi lead a sound attack for the Danes. Defensively , Denmark is quite sound with just 6 conceded in their qualifying rounds.

Prediction: Netherlands 1-0

I like Netherlands in this one. The fact is Denmark will have an inexperience goal keeper to start this match and with the attack the Netherlands posses they will exploit the green thumb goalie. Though Netherlands is not noted for being a defensively sound team I still look for it to continue with their high scoring attack.

Euro 2012 Highlights: Danes Hold Off Netherlands 0-1

There is no other way to put it but, this shocking result has put the car among the pigeons. The Netherlands owned the game in terms of their possessions and had control of time but, they just could not close it out and put the ball through the net.

Super star striker Robin Van Persie will be well used to with Arsenal, had a number of chances to put the Dutch ahead but, to no avail. There was his fellow attackers who also had chances like Arjen Robben (who hit the post), Ibrahim Affelay and Wesley Sneijder did no better, as their failure to finish off the Danes had the predictable conclusion.

With 24 minutes played, The saavy attacker Michael Krohn-Dehli latched onto a loose ball in the Dutch box before firing through the legs of Maarten Stekelenburg. Bert van Marwijk threw in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafa van der Vaart, but to no avail, as the Danes held on for a fantastic victory.

Back in Euro 1988, the Dutch also lost their opening game before ultimately winning the competition. However, if the Oranje are to do the same, they’ll need to start putting away their chances.

No one ever predicted Denmark to win to win their Euro 2012 opener against the Netherlands, and Netherlands had a long drought since beating the Dutch since 1967, but Michael Krohn-Dehli didn't seem to care.

It was the 24th minute, when Krohn-Dehli baited opposing centre-back Simon Kjaer to the right before juking left and found a one-on-one opportunity with Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

It was an opportunity Krohn-Dehli took full advantage of, scoring a beautiful strike of a goal straight through Stekelenburg's legs. Denmark can celebrate this great victory in fashion with the help of stud striker Michael Kron.

EURO 2012: Denmark vs Netherlands Timeline

• 90+2' - Full-time! The final score is 0-1.
• 90+1' - R.van Persie (Netherlands) is first to the ball but his header is off-target.
• 90' - J.Heitinga's header is off-target for Netherlands.
• 90' - In Kharkiv Wesley Sneijder for Netherlands takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 90' - The Second half is prolonged by 3 minutes of added time.
• 90' - Denmark push forward at Metalist Stadium and L.Schone gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Denmark defence.
• 85' - van Marwijk, Bert (Netherlands) is making a Third substitution, with Dirk Kuyt replacing Gregory van der Wiel.
• 84' - Denmark make their Second substitution with Tobias Mikkelsen replacing Dennis Rommedahl.
• 81' - William Kvist for Denmark has been booked by Skomina, Damir and receives a first yellow card.
• 80' - Netherlands's A.Robben breaks free at Metalist Stadium. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 78' - Denmark's Simon Poulsen has been booked in Kharkiv.
• 77' - Corner awarded to Netherlands.
• 74' - Olsen, Morten is making the team's First substitution at Metalist Stadium with Lasse Schone replacing Christian Eriksen.
• 73' - In Kharkiv Netherlands attack through R.van der Vaart. The finish is off target, however.
• 73' - At Metalist Stadium Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) takes a corner from the Left.
• 71' - Denmark have been awarded a corner by Skomina, Damir. Christian Eriksen steps up to take it.
• 71' - Klaas Jan Huntelaar is replacing Ibrahim Afellay for Netherlands at Metalist Stadium.
• 71' - van Marwijk, Bert (Netherlands) is making a First substitution, with Rafael van der Vaart replacing Nigel de Jong.
• 70' - M.Krohn-Dehli of Denmark smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 68' - Skomina, Damir has awarded Denmark a corner. Michael Krohn-Dehli takes the kick from the Left .
• 67' - Mark van Bommel (Netherlands) has received a yellow card from Skomina, Damir.
• 65' - Netherlands's A.Robben gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 63' - Netherlands attack but A.Robben's header doesn't find the target.
• 62' - Skomina, Damir blows against Netherlands's John Heitinga for offside.
• 60' - At Metalist Stadium Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) takes a corner from the Left.
• 59' - Important block from the Denmark defence as W.Sneijder fires in a strike for Netherlands.
• 56' - Denmark drive upfield and N.Bendtner gets in a shot. The strike is blocked by a Denmark defender.
• 54' - Skomina, Damir has awarded Denmark a corner. Niki Zimling takes the kick from the Right.
• 53' - In Kharkiv, J.Heitinga (Netherlands) misses the target with a header.
• 53' - Netherlands have been awarded a corner by Skomina, Damir. Arjen Robben steps up to take it.
• 53' - Corner awarded to Netherlands.
• 52' - I.Afellay for Netherlands gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 51' - Important block from the Denmark defence as I.Afellay fires in a strike for Netherlands.
• 51' - In Kharkiv Wesley Sneijder for Netherlands takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 51' - Netherlands drive forward and M.van Bommel gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 50' - Netherlands's R.van Persie is on target but unsuccessful.
• 48' - In Kharkiv Wesley Sneijder for Netherlands takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 48' - A.Robben for Netherlands gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 46' - The second-half has just kicked-off.
• 45+1' - The first-half has come to a close in Kharkiv.
• 45' - Corner awarded to Denmark.
• 43' - In Kharkiv Netherlands attack through W.Sneijder. The finish is off target, however.
• 43' - R.van Persie for Netherlands drives towards goal at Metalist Stadium. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 42' - M.Krohn-Dehli of Denmark smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 40' - Denmark push forward at Metalist Stadium and N.Zimling gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Denmark defence.
• 39' - Netherlands's I.Afellay misses with an attempt on goal.
• 36' - A.Robben hits the post! Very nearly a goal there in Kharkiv for Netherlands.
• 31' - I.Afellay returns to the field for Denmark after picking up a slight injury.
• 30' - Play has been resumed.
• 30' - Play has been interrupted briefly in Kharkiv to check on I.Afellay, who is grimacing with pain.
• 29' - R.Vlaar (Netherlands) wins the ball in the air but heads wide.
• 29' - Netherlands have been awarded a corner by Skomina, Damir. Arjen Robben steps up to take it.
• 24' - Goal! Denmark have got their heads in front thanks to a Michael Krohn-Dehli strike.
• 23' - Netherlands's R.van Persie misses with an attempt on goal.
• 20' - At Metalist Stadium Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) takes a corner from the Left.
• 19' - Dennis Rommedahl of Denmark is pulled up for offside.
• 16' - Netherlands push forward through A.Robben, whose finish on goal is saved.
• 14' - Netherlands's M.van Bommel gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 13' - Skomina, Damir has awarded Netherlands a corner. Wesley Sneijder takes the kick from the Right.
• 13' - Netherlands's R.van Persie gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Denmark defender.
• 10' - Netherlands's I.Afellay breaks free at Metalist Stadium. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 9' - In Kharkiv, C.Eriksen of Denmark is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 7' - Netherlands are coming forward and R.van Persie gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 5' - Netherlands are pushing forward but I.Afellay's finish is wide of the goal.
• 3' - J.Willems of Netherlands gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 2' - D.Agger (Denmark) gets in a powerful header but the ball is cleared away.
• 1' - The match has started.

Don't miss a score! Catch real time updates on your favorite EURO 2012 MATCH. Which team will win?