Netherlands Vs. Denmark: Danes Earn Shock Win

How Denmark Managed Euro 2012's First Upset

It wasn't supposed to be like this, but once Denmark's midfield was given time, space, and a lead to protect, Holland were doomed.

Netherlands Vs. Denmark, Euro 2012: Final Score, Danes Impressive In 1-0 Victory

For all of their attacking talent and all of the club goals scored by the players in their squad, the Netherlands couldn't find the goal to save their lives against Denmark on Saturday. They managed just five shots on target out of 30 attempts, and Stephan Andersen was only forced into a couple of difficult saves. All in all, it was a poor performance by the Dutch, and Denmark's 1-0 win was well-deserved.

The Netherlands had plenty of the ball and created plenty of shooting opportunities, but their finishing was woeful. Robin van Persie slipped on a couple of solid chances, while Arjen Robben was incredibly wasteful. He forced a save in the 16th minute and hit the post with a good strike in the 34th minute, but was very poor in the second half, regularly missing the target with his shots.

Denmark's goal came in the 24th minute on an impressive individual effort by Michael Krohn-Dehli. Cutting in from the left flank, he willed himself almost through Gregory Van Der Wiel, then made a great dribbling move to get around John Heitinga before placing a shot into the back of the net.

The first seven minutes of the second half were a bit shaky for the Danes. The Netherlands looked like they were going to be able to create a goal in that opening sequence of the half, but they couldn't convert their chances. Van Persie's two biggest miscues came during this period, including a comical slip on what should have been a shot on target. Andersen's 51st minute save seemed to be a wake-up call for Denmark, and they began to play better after that.

In the 71st minute, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael Van der Vaart entered for Ibrahim Afellay and Nigel De Jong. Huntelaar had a golden chance to equalize for his team in the 74th minute on an absolutely jaw-dropping through ball by Wesley Sneijder that split the Danish defense. Huntelaar took a great touch wide and tried to chip Andersen, but Denmark's keeper came up huge with a fantastic save.

The final 15 minutes of the game belonged to Simon Kjaer and Daniel Agger. Holland struggled to even generate half-chances in the closing segment of the game, as the Danish central defense pair consistently won every 50-50 tackle or header that they were challenged with. Holland's poor shooting will be the big story tomorrow, but Kjaer and Agger also deserve credit for putting in spectacular performances.

The Netherlands have now put themselves in a terrible position. They'll have to get a result against Germany just to stay alive in the group, and they will likely enter the final match of the group stage against Portugal needing to avoid a loss at the very least to advance to the next round. Denmark, conversely, have a bit of breathing room.

You can find previous coverage of this game in our Netherlands vs. Denmark, Euro 2012 StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.

Netherlands Vs. Denmark, Euro 2012: Halftime Score, Danes Surprisingly Ahead 1-0

Update: Denmark 1-0 Netherlands, Final Score

The Netherlands have been in control for most of the first half of their opening Euro 2012 match against Denmark but haven't made the most of their chances and their flimsy defense has been exposed. Ron Vlaar and John Heitinga don't look like a central defense pairing that belongs at this level, and Holland is currently paying for their struggles.

Even though the Netherlands have had nearly two-thirds of the possession in the first half and plenty of chances to go along with it, they trail Denmark 1-0. Michael Krohn-Dehli scored the game's only goal in the 24th minute with a great finish, scoring on one of his team's only ventures forward.

The Netherlands started the match with a high press and a very fast pace, but they weren't able to turn it into a goal. They had a flurry of chances in the beginning of the match, with the best one coming in the 18th minute. Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie played a wonderful one-two exchange down the right flank, with van Persie playing Robben in on goal. The Bayern Munich man should have shot, but instead put a poor cross through the box that was deflected and claimed by Stephan Andersen. At that point, the Netherlands began to slow down a bit.

Krohn-Dehli struck six minutes later. He beat two men on the move, powering through Gregory Van Der Wiel, then breaking the ankles of Heitinga before he finished past Maarten Stekelenberg.

That goal gave Denmark a boost, and they began to play much better from that point until the halftime whistle, but the Netherlands still had plenty of opportunities to score. In the 28th minute, Simon Poulsen appeared to handle the ball in the box before he cleared it for a corner, but the referee didn't spot it.

Eight minutes later, the Netherlands were gifted their best chance of the match. Andersen almost picked up an assist for his opposition with a terrible pass from inside of his penalty area to Robben, who dribbled forward between two helpless central defenders. He unleashed a low shot with his left foot from the edge of the box, but unluckily struck the far post.

The favored Dutch are playing some very nice football, but their defense is poor and they can't hit the target. Andersen has been forced into just two saves on an incredible 16 shots. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar waits on the bench for the not-so-brilliant Oranje, and he could make an appearance sooner rather than later.

We have live coverage of this game in our Netherlands vs. Denmark, Euro 2012 StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.

Netherlands Vs. Denmark, Euro 2012: Michael Krohn-Dehli Gives Danes Surprise Lead

If you saw that coming, you are a psychic mastermind. Or high. After twenty minutes of more of being schooled in the arts of football by the Netherlands, Denmark have taken the lead in Kharkiv. And seriously, this half had been all Holland so far - it wouldn't have been a surprise if they'd managed 75 percent of possession or more, and they'd certainly had the better of the scoring chances.

But if you can't score, you're always at risk. Simon Poulsen advanced down the Denmark left, and although he lost possession in a challenge with Gregory van der Wiel a fortunate bounce took the ball straight to Michael Krohn-Dehli on the edge of the penalty area. The Dutch were in a strong defensive shape, and the winger still had plenty of work to do, but a quick change of pace brought him beyond Everton centre half Johnny Heitenga and one on one with Maarten Stekelenburg. Whom he nutmegged to make it 1-0.

So, that's a goal completely against the run of play that didn't involve Christian Eriksen in any way, shape or form. Football!

Netherlands Vs. Denmark, Euro 2012: Lineups

Euro 2012's Group of Fiery, Fiery Doom is under way in less than an hour, and it's kicking off with a solid Holland team against a Denmark side that could actually be quite good if Christian Eriksen shows up and his supporting cast gives him some help.

Sure, the Netherlands would be favourites to top this group if it didn't include Germany, but that doesn't mean they're not beatable. A quick look at their defense will give the Danes some hope of pulling off an upset victory. If they want to maintain that hope, they should attempt to avoid reading the names that play higher up the pitch.

Holland (4-2-3-1): Maarten Stekelenburg; Jetro Willems, Ron Vlaar, John Heitinga, Gregory van der Wiel; Nigel de Jong, Mark van Bommel; Ibrahim Affellay, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben; Robin van Persie.

Denmark (4-2-3-1): Stephan Andersen; Simon Poulsen, Simon Kjaer, Daniel Agger, Lars Jacobsen; William Kvist, Niki Zimling; Michael Krohn-Dehli, Christian Eriksen, Dennis Rommedahl; Nicklas Bendtner.

We'll have live coverage of this game in our Netherlands vs. Denmark, Euro 2012 StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.

Netherlands Vs. Denmark, Euro 2012: Lines, Odds And Picks

Remember the total football, all attack, plenty of goals Netherlands? They are gone. Now they put Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong in the center of the midfield and do, well, the kinds of things that the two have made a reputation for. Meanwhile, Denmark brings Christian Eriksen, who you are obligated to love if you love football. It's a rule.

Lines: Netherlands, -1 (+115). Denmark, +1 (-135).

Odds: Netherlands, -165. Denmark, +425. Draw, +270

Over/Under: Over 2.5, +100. Under 2.5, -120.

It's tough to come up with a scenario in which the team with Robin van Persie and Klass-Jan Huntelaar don't win out. Also, the two tough-tackling Netherlands midfielders are actually a good tactic against Eriksen, and when Eriksen is slowed, Denmark slows. This one should go the way of the Netherlands, so throw money on them at -1, paying out +115. They will win, and even if it is by a goal, you get your money back, while the +115 is appetizing.

The high 2.5 over/under is tempting. To win on a two-goal game is something you should almost always jump at, and this is no different. Unless Dennis Rommedahl can turn back the clock and provide some support for Eriksen, the Danish playmaker will be isolated and Nicklas Bendtner won't see much of the ball. That allows the Netherlands' goal, maybe two to keep the under a good bet.

We'll have live coverage of this game in our Netherlands vs. Denmark, Euro 2012 StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter.

Netherlands Vs. Denmark, 2012 European Championship: Total Football, Now With More Thuggery!

So much for the beautiful game. The Netherlands now engage in high-level face-breaking. Poor Christian Eriksen. Who could have guessed the Eredivisie would fail to prepare him for Dutch football?

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