UEFA 2012 European Championship : Day 11

Monday 18 June 2012

Group B

Portugal (1) 2 – 1 (1) Netherlands

Germany (1) 2 – 1 (1) Denmark

Last night opted for the Portugal v Netherlands game on the basis that it would provide the most drama. Humble pie is never a great dish to have to consume, but after the first two Portugal games and my slighting Ronaldo, the ‘boy done good’ against the Dutch and have to admit he looked class as did the Portugal team. The Netherlands were always going to struggle to qualify for the Quarter-Finals as they needed to win by two clear goals and hope that Germany overcame Denmark. The Dutch started brightly and on eleven minutes Van der Vaart put them ahead with a brilliant curling effort. However, that was about as good as it got for the Dutch as Portugal dominated the game after the opening fifteen minutes. Portugal looked more of a unit and with Ronaldo providing pace, power and probing, it was no surprise when the Portuguese drew level on twenty eight minutes. Joao Pereira’s brilliantly weighted pass found Ronaldo timing his run to perfection, before the Portugal skipper slotted home. Portugal continued to dominate but the teams went in at half-time level at 1-1. Meanwhile in Lviv, Germany and Denmark also ended the first forty five all square. Podolski had put the Germans ahead on nineteen minutes, only for Krohn-Dehli to level for the Danes just five minutes later. In the second-half Portugal took the initiative once more and as the Dutch looked like a group of individuals unable to bond, Portugal continued to look like a strong unit. On seventy four minutes the killer blow was applied, Nani provided the pass and Ronaldo was clinical – it was deserved. Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick,  but an effort late on hit the woodwork. With Portugal leading, there was a brief time when that if Denmark had scored, the Germans would have been heading out. However, with ten minutes remaining Lars Bender put Germany 2-1 up and Group B was settled. At the whistle, Germany topped the Group with Portugal in second place. Quite unbelievably, the 2010 World Cup runners-up were out, bottom of their group with no points. The futures bright, but it ain’t orange…