Euro 2012 : Denmark Shocks Holland, 1-0, In Group B Opener
KHARKIV – In what is the first big upset of Euro 2012, Denmark would shock heavily-favored Holland, 1-0 in their Group B opening match.
Holland, who is in the so-called “Group Of Death” along with soccer heavyweights Germany and Portugal, now face a much tougher road to Kyiv, thanks to a combination of bad passing, poor form and the inability to convert on scoring chances.
The Dutch, who have world quality players such as Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Rafael van der Vaart, could not seem to put anything together against a far-less talented Danish side.
Denmark, who would score on a goal from Michel Krohn-Dehli at the 24th minute, were able to keep the Dutch at bay with a combination of timely defense and ball control.
Many may say that this is not an upset as Denmark does have some quality players of it’s own in Nicklas Bendtner, Krohn-Dehli and Lars Jacobsen—but clearly that this was Holland’s game to lose—and they would lose.
Credit must be given to the Danish underdogs for a solid game plan and team effort of closing down the passing lanes of Holland and not giving van Persie and Robben space to create despite being outshot 32-8, and having the ball ten percent less than the Dutch—Holland won in time of possession, 55 percent to 45 percent.
With Holland now at the bottom of a very stacked “Group Of Death” The Dutch must now find a way to live–and soon.
Follow me on Twitter, @RobertCobb_76
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