Group Elimination B: Wednesday, 13 June 2012 - Kharkiv - Metalist Stadium

The Dutch matched up with Denmark in the opening rounds in what was supposed to be a walk in the park for Netherlands in the group. the Dutch had 28 shots in the game in comparison to Denmark's 8 but they still lost the game 1-0 such is the beauty of football. With an attacking quartet of Sneijder, Robben, Van Persie and Affelay the dutch just didnt get it right and wasted way too many chances. The team probably had too many defensive options in midfield with both Van Bommel and De Jong, surely against a weaker side they would have been better served with the attacking options of Van Der Vaart. Bert Van Warwijk will be under intense pressure as they dutch face into what is more or less a knockout game, the dutch must try to get a win here or they will be going home early. I fancied the dutch to win this tournament from the start for me they must put in a performance and get a result here.

Germany beat Portugal 1-0 in their opening game but the Germans were surprisingly sloppy and gifted the Portugese a couple of great chances at the end of the game. Mezut Ozil and Muller were instrumental in creating Mario Gomes goal but it was a brilliant finish by the Bayern Munich striker who up until that point had looked wasteful and uncapable of producing a finish on the big occasion. Joachim Lowe will be looking for more from Podolski on the left and Gomes up front and will also have concerns about how Portugal got at the back four of Germany in the last fifteen minutes.

Predictions: Netherlands 1-0 over Germany

Honestly, I think this game will be a defensive war. It will be tactical and could verge on vicious, neither side like each other and there is history between the nations going back years. For me I think this game is a coinflip, both have the talent to beat the other but there are enough defensive fraities on both sides to make this an intriguing game. I'm picking the Dutch to get a much needed win because they have to win. This side is as talented as they come and they know they must win or they will more than likely be going home.

Euro 2012 Highlights: Gomez Lifts Germany 2-1 Netherlands

Germany can breathe easier thanks to stud striker Mario Gomez who scored 2 early goals to lift the Germans over Netherlands 2-1 in one of the most highly anticipated match.

Netherlands only goal came in the second half when Robin Van Persie scored in the 72 minute mark of the match Van Persie's struggles in front of goal are a big part of the reason why the 2010 World Cup finalists are bottom of their group with zero points.

"Early on we had decent chances but the German goals came out of nowhere," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. "We defended badly. Our offense and defense did not connect.

"Germany really has an excellent team. It has power, creativity and scoring."

Germany has six points from two wins but is still not sure of advancing from Group B, where three teams could end up with six points. Earlier, Portugal beat Denmark 3-2.

The Netherlands, along with Germany considered one of the favorites but drawn into a tough group, now has lost both of its group games and needs to beat Portugal to have a hope. Germany will need only a draw against Denmark to win the group.

Gomez put Germany ahead in the 24th minute after collecting a pass from Bastian Schweinsteiger at the edge of the penalty area and turning between two Dutch defenders, who were betting on an offside call. But Gregory van der Wiel failed to move forward quickly enough and Gomez had a simple task in slotting past Maarten Stekelenburg.

Stekelenburg made a stunning reflex save to stop Holger Badstuber's header from a free kick cross from Mesut Oezil from point-blank range in the 37th, but one minute later he was beaten again.

Gomez and Schweinsteiger outplayed the Dutch defense with two simple moves. Gomez passed to the ball to Schweinsteiger, who immediately played it into space for Gomez and the striker slotted inside the far post.

Gomez went off in the 72nd minute and was replaced by Miroslav Klose - but one minute later Van Persie finally found the target for the Dutch, driving home from the edge of the box in the 73rd.

The Dutch perked up, then, but even the later insertion of a fourth Dutch striker, Dirk Kuyt, did not produce the equalizer.

"The time just wouldn't pass, it remained standing," said Gomez, who also scored the only goal in Germany's opening 1-0 win over Portugal. "They were pressing. It was close until the end but with Manuel Neuer in goal we can be a bit more relaxed."

EURO 2012: Germany vs Netherlands Timeline

• 90+3' - Jonas Eriksson blows to end the match. The final score is 1-2.
• 90' - Lars Bender is replacing Thomas Muller for Germany at Metalist Stadium.
• 90' - The fourth official's board shows 3 minutes, which will be added to the Second half.
• 90' - Jetro Willems (Netherlands) has received a yellow card from Jonas Eriksson.
• 88' - Corner awarded to Germany.
• 88' - In Kharkiv Toni Kroos for Germany takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
• 87' - Jerome Boateng (Germany) has been booked and will miss the next match due to a suspension.
• 85' - In Kharkiv Netherlands attack through Rafael van der Vaart. The finish is off target, however.
• 83' - Dirk Kuyt is replacing Arjen Robben for Netherlands at Metalist Stadium.
• 81' - Joachim Low is making the team's Second substitution at Metalist Stadium with Toni Kroos replacing Mesut Ozil.
• 80' - Netherlands's Nigel de Jong has been booked in Kharkiv.
• 80' - Mesut Ozil (Germany) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 73' - Wesley Sneijder instrumental with a fine assist.
• 73' - Netherlands are back in the match in Kharkiv. Robin van Persie has scored to make it 1-2.
• 72' - Germany make their First substitution with Miroslav Klose replacing Mario Gomez.
• 71' - Jonas Eriksson has awarded Netherlands a corner. Wesley Sneijder takes the kick from the Left .
• 71' - Netherlands's Wesley Sneijder gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Germany defender.
• 70' - Mario Gomez of Germany gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 69' - Netherlands's Arjen Robben breaks free at Metalist Stadium. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 64' - Germany have been awarded a corner by Jonas Eriksson. Mesut Ozil steps up to take it.
• 62' - Wesley Sneijder for Netherlands gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 60' - Important block from the Netherlands defence as Philipp Lahm fires in a strike for Germany.
• 58' - Netherlands's Robin van Persie is on target but unsuccessful.
• 57' - Netherlands attack but Joris Mathijsen's header doesn't find the target.
• 57' - Corner awarded to Netherlands.
• 57' - In Kharkiv, Arjen Robben of Netherlands is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 56' - Mesut Ozil of Germany is pulled up for offside.
• 53' - At Metalist Stadium Mesut Ozil (Germany) takes a corner from the Left.
• 53' - Mats Hummels for Germany drives towards goal at Metalist Stadium. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 52' - Mats Hummels of Germany smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 47' - Thomas Muller for Germany is whistled offside.
• 47' - Germany have been awarded a corner by Jonas Eriksson. Bastian Schweinsteiger steps up to take it.
• 46' - Bert van Marwijk (Netherlands) is making a Second substitution, with Rafael van der Vaart replacing Mark van Bommel.
• 46' - Klaas Jan Huntelaar is on a sub for Ibrahim Afellay for Netherlands.
• 46' - The second-half is underway in Kharkiv.
• 45+1' - Jonas Eriksson blows to end the first-half.
• 41' - Germany's Jerome Boateng gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 41' - Jonas Eriksson has awarded Netherlands a corner. Wesley Sneijder takes the kick from the Left .
• 38' - That's a fine assist from Bastian Schweinsteiger.
• 38' - Goal! Mario Gomez extends Germany's lead to 0-2.
• 37' - Holger Badstuber (Germany) gets in a powerful header but the ball is cleared away.
• 33' - Germany drive forward but Mario Gomez is judged offside.
• 28' - Jonas Eriksson blows against Germany's Mario Gomez for offside.
• 27' - Netherlands's Arjen Robben has run offside.
• 26' - Netherlands's Arjen Robben gets in a shot on goal at Metalist Stadium. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 24' - Great play from Bastian Schweinsteiger to set up the goal.
• 24' - Goal! Mario Gomez gives Germany a 0-1 lead.
• 22' - Arjen Robben returns to the field for Netherlands after picking up a slight injury.
• 21' - The match at Metalist Stadium is underway again.
• 21' - Play has been interrupted briefly in Kharkiv to check on Arjen Robben, who is grimacing with pain.
• 18' - In Kharkiv Wesley Sneijder for Netherlands takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 18' - Germany push forward at Metalist Stadium and Lukas Podolski gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Netherlands defence.
• 16' - Corner awarded to Netherlands.
• 14' - At Metalist Stadium Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) takes a corner from the Left.
• 11' - Netherlands are coming forward and Robin van Persie gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 8' - In Kharkiv Germany drive forward through Mesut Ozil. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 7' - Robin van Persie gets his shot on target but fails to score for Netherlands.
• 1' - The first-half is just kicking off.

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