Through a combination of sheer defiance and one clinical finish, Denmark defeated the Netherlands for the first time in nine attempts, and 45 years, to throw UEFA EURO 2012 Group B wide open.
To term this a tale of frustration for Bert van Marwijk's side would be an understatement. Boasting eight of the team which started the FIFA World Cup final two years ago – a tournament that began with a 2-0 win against Denmark – the Oranje were at times every bit as stylish as their eventual conquerors in South Africa, Spain.
Chance after chance came and went but that final flourish, that most important of touches, eluded them. Denmark, by contrast, had one clear opening and one fine goal. Michael Krohn-Dehli provided the finish on 24 minutes and, though their backs remained against the wall thereafter, it was enough for Morten Olsen's men to go top of a daunting section also including Portugal and Germany.
The Dutch outscored Denmark by 22 goals in qualifying and came charging out of the blocks with all the incision and fluidity that got them here. There was, though, one thing missing.
Jetro Willems, at 18 years and 71 days the youngest player ever to grace a UEFA European Championship, let fly early on but it was Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben who led the charge. However, the Arsenal FC man showed none of the devastating finishing that earned him 30 Premier League goals this season.
Glorious chances either end of the first half went begging for Van Persie, who let one slip by after an uncharacteristically poor first touch with just Stephan Andersen to beat. Robben was equally culpable when he too could see the whites of the Denmark No1's eyes but, bizarrely, opted to pass.
The FC Bayern München forward endured frustration of a different kind on 36 minutes when he seized on Andersen's slipshod pass but struck a post. Robben, Van Persie and Ibrahim Afellay all had further opportunities but, nestled among this Dutch bombardment, was a moment of Danish delight. Simon Poulsen's deflected cross landed at the feet of Krohn-Dehli, who shrugged off three Dutch defenders with an exquisite dummy before scurrying through and firing between Maarten Stekelenberg's legs.
The Danes had not so much ridden the storm, but somehow emerged on the other side with a suntan. Half-time failed to dampen the Dutch verve and soon enough Van Persie was again in behind, but this time he could only kick the ground.
Mark van Bommel, tired of the scenic route taken by his more stylish colleagues, went direct but his rasping shot was turned behind. If that was Plan B, Plan C looked to be to go aerial. John Heitinga nodded over from a corner before Robben completed a hat-trick of spurned gilt-edged openings when he headed Sneijder's raking cross wide from eight metres out.
Cue the cavalry – Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart – but still it went on. This time there was the outlandish through ball from Sneijder, the impeccable first touch from Huntelaar and the failure to finish. It was a familiar story.www.uefa.com
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Denmark ride storm to shock Netherlands
Netherlands 0-1 Denmark
The Oranje spurned chance after chance but Michael Krohn-Dehli's fine first-half finish was enough for the Danes to throw Group B wide open.
Through a combination of sheer defiance and one clinical finish, Denmark defeated the Netherlands for the first time in nine attempts, and 45 years, to throw UEFA EURO 2012 Group B wide open.
To term this a tale of frustration for Bert van Marwijk's side would be an understatement. Boasting eight of the team which started the FIFA World Cup final two years ago – a tournament that began with a 2-0 win against Denmark – the Oranje were at times every bit as stylish as their eventual conquerors in South Africa, Spain.
Chance after chance came and went but that final flourish, that most important of touches, eluded them. Denmark, by contrast, had one clear opening and one fine goal. Michael Krohn-Dehli provided the finish on 24 minutes and, though their backs remained against the wall thereafter, it was enough for Morten Olsen's men to go top of a daunting section also including Portugal and Germany.
The Dutch outscored Denmark by 22 goals in qualifying and came charging out of the blocks with all the incision and fluidity that got them here. There was, though, one thing missing.
Jetro Willems, at 18 years and 71 days the youngest player ever to grace a UEFA European Championship, let fly early on but it was Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben who led the charge. However, the Arsenal FC man showed none of the devastating finishing that earned him 30 Premier League goals this season.
Glorious chances either end of the first half went begging for Van Persie, who let one slip by after an uncharacteristically poor first touch with just Stephan Andersen to beat. Robben was equally culpable when he too could see the whites of the Denmark No1's eyes but, bizarrely, opted to pass.
The FC Bayern München forward endured frustration of a different kind on 36 minutes when he seized on Andersen's slipshod pass but struck a post. Robben, Van Persie and Ibrahim Afellay all had further opportunities but, nestled among this Dutch bombardment, was a moment of Danish delight. Simon Poulsen's deflected cross landed at the feet of Krohn-Dehli, who shrugged off three Dutch defenders with an exquisite dummy before scurrying through and firing between Maarten Stekelenberg's legs.
The Danes had not so much ridden the storm, but somehow emerged on the other side with a suntan. Half-time failed to dampen the Dutch verve and soon enough Van Persie was again in behind, but this time he could only kick the ground.
Mark van Bommel, tired of the scenic route taken by his more stylish colleagues, went direct but his rasping shot was turned behind. If that was Plan B, Plan C looked to be to go aerial. John Heitinga nodded over from a corner before Robben completed a hat-trick of spurned gilt-edged openings when he headed Sneijder's raking cross wide from eight metres out.
Cue the cavalry – Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart – but still it went on. This time there was the outlandish through ball from Sneijder, the impeccable first touch from Huntelaar and the failure to finish. It was a familiar story.www.uefa.com
Through a combination of sheer defiance and one clinical finish, Denmark defeated the Netherlands for the first time in nine attempts, and 45 years, to throw UEFA EURO 2012 Group B wide open.
To term this a tale of frustration for Bert van Marwijk's side would be an understatement. Boasting eight of the team which started the FIFA World Cup final two years ago – a tournament that began with a 2-0 win against Denmark – the Oranje were at times every bit as stylish as their eventual conquerors in South Africa, Spain.
Chance after chance came and went but that final flourish, that most important of touches, eluded them. Denmark, by contrast, had one clear opening and one fine goal. Michael Krohn-Dehli provided the finish on 24 minutes and, though their backs remained against the wall thereafter, it was enough for Morten Olsen's men to go top of a daunting section also including Portugal and Germany.
The Dutch outscored Denmark by 22 goals in qualifying and came charging out of the blocks with all the incision and fluidity that got them here. There was, though, one thing missing.
Jetro Willems, at 18 years and 71 days the youngest player ever to grace a UEFA European Championship, let fly early on but it was Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben who led the charge. However, the Arsenal FC man showed none of the devastating finishing that earned him 30 Premier League goals this season.
Glorious chances either end of the first half went begging for Van Persie, who let one slip by after an uncharacteristically poor first touch with just Stephan Andersen to beat. Robben was equally culpable when he too could see the whites of the Denmark No1's eyes but, bizarrely, opted to pass.
The FC Bayern München forward endured frustration of a different kind on 36 minutes when he seized on Andersen's slipshod pass but struck a post. Robben, Van Persie and Ibrahim Afellay all had further opportunities but, nestled among this Dutch bombardment, was a moment of Danish delight. Simon Poulsen's deflected cross landed at the feet of Krohn-Dehli, who shrugged off three Dutch defenders with an exquisite dummy before scurrying through and firing between Maarten Stekelenberg's legs.
The Danes had not so much ridden the storm, but somehow emerged on the other side with a suntan. Half-time failed to dampen the Dutch verve and soon enough Van Persie was again in behind, but this time he could only kick the ground.
Mark van Bommel, tired of the scenic route taken by his more stylish colleagues, went direct but his rasping shot was turned behind. If that was Plan B, Plan C looked to be to go aerial. John Heitinga nodded over from a corner before Robben completed a hat-trick of spurned gilt-edged openings when he headed Sneijder's raking cross wide from eight metres out.
Cue the cavalry – Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart – but still it went on. This time there was the outlandish through ball from Sneijder, the impeccable first touch from Huntelaar and the failure to finish. It was a familiar story.www.uefa.com
Dzagoev double helps Russia to flying start
Russia 4-1 Czech Republic
Alan Dzagoev struck twice as Russia made a dream start to the campaign, defeating the Czech Republic to take an early lead in Group A.
Alan Dzagoev scored twice as Russia swept to a convincing victory over the Czech Republic in Wroclaw and leave his nation atop Group A after the opening games in the section.
Dick Advocaat had reiterated his belief that Russia are contenders to win the tournament in his pre-match press conference. With the way his team performed in their opening game in brushing aside the Czech Republic 4-1, the Dutchman will not have changed his mind.
After Dzagoev had opened the scoring on the quarter-hour, Roman Shirokov struck nine minutes later to give Russia a healthy lead at the break. Václav Pilař's goal early in the second half gave the Czechs hope, but Dzagoev and Roman Pavlyuchenko scored within three minutes of each other as their opponents crumbled in the closing stages. The gloss those goals gave the scoreline was not merely a flattering one.
Advocaat had promised his side would not abandon the attractive style that had brought them this far, though initially they were not allowed to show it. The Czechs' menace stemmed only from a pair of set pieces, however, and goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, preferred to Igor Akinfeev, was untroubled, unlike his counterpart at the opposite end.
Petr Čech had already seen Aleksandr Kerzhakov scuff a good chance wide before the FC Zenit St Petersburg forward struck a post with a header from Konstantin Zyryanov's cross. The Czech defence, pulled out of shape by the Russians' sharp movement and still sharper passing, reacted sluggishly as the ball broke for Dzagoev to cap a move he had started by drilling in.
An almost carbon-copy attack might have immediately brought a second had Dzagoev, faced only with the advancing Čech, shown the poise Shirokov then displayed in doubling his team's lead. Though Arshavin's angled pass was intended for Kerzhakov, it ran neatly to Shirokov, whose recent burst of goals was evident in his confident chip over Čech.
The fluidity in Russia's forays merely served to put the Czechs' lack of that precious quality into greater relief when they moved forward. Only Petr Jiráček provided anything like the required impetus, and a scuffed Michal Kadlec shot, which brought a leisurely save from Malafeev, summed up a disappointing opening half.
Michal Bílek's men appeared set for an equally frustrating second period with Arshavin quickly slipping back into his devilishly creative mood. He was upstaged, however, by Jaroslav Plašil, who picked out Pilař's run behind the Russian back four with a sublime pass. The VfL Wolfsburg man confidently rounded Malafeev before clipping home from an ever-tightening angle.
Arshavin responded to Plašil in kind, flicking nonchalantly through for Kerzhakov, but he was left looking to the heavens after dragging his shot wide of the far post. It was not a night to remember for the 29-year-old, who was substituted soon after firing another opportunity wastefully wide. Fortunately for Russia, his profligacy did not cost them, though Malafeev had to produce an excellent save to stop a Rosický drive before Dzagoev and Pavlyuchenko, who had replaced Kerzhakov, put the issue beyond doubt.www.uefa.com
Alan Dzagoev scored twice as Russia swept to a convincing victory over the Czech Republic in Wroclaw and leave his nation atop Group A after the opening games in the section.
Dick Advocaat had reiterated his belief that Russia are contenders to win the tournament in his pre-match press conference. With the way his team performed in their opening game in brushing aside the Czech Republic 4-1, the Dutchman will not have changed his mind.
After Dzagoev had opened the scoring on the quarter-hour, Roman Shirokov struck nine minutes later to give Russia a healthy lead at the break. Václav Pilař's goal early in the second half gave the Czechs hope, but Dzagoev and Roman Pavlyuchenko scored within three minutes of each other as their opponents crumbled in the closing stages. The gloss those goals gave the scoreline was not merely a flattering one.
Advocaat had promised his side would not abandon the attractive style that had brought them this far, though initially they were not allowed to show it. The Czechs' menace stemmed only from a pair of set pieces, however, and goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, preferred to Igor Akinfeev, was untroubled, unlike his counterpart at the opposite end.
Petr Čech had already seen Aleksandr Kerzhakov scuff a good chance wide before the FC Zenit St Petersburg forward struck a post with a header from Konstantin Zyryanov's cross. The Czech defence, pulled out of shape by the Russians' sharp movement and still sharper passing, reacted sluggishly as the ball broke for Dzagoev to cap a move he had started by drilling in.
An almost carbon-copy attack might have immediately brought a second had Dzagoev, faced only with the advancing Čech, shown the poise Shirokov then displayed in doubling his team's lead. Though Arshavin's angled pass was intended for Kerzhakov, it ran neatly to Shirokov, whose recent burst of goals was evident in his confident chip over Čech.
The fluidity in Russia's forays merely served to put the Czechs' lack of that precious quality into greater relief when they moved forward. Only Petr Jiráček provided anything like the required impetus, and a scuffed Michal Kadlec shot, which brought a leisurely save from Malafeev, summed up a disappointing opening half.
Michal Bílek's men appeared set for an equally frustrating second period with Arshavin quickly slipping back into his devilishly creative mood. He was upstaged, however, by Jaroslav Plašil, who picked out Pilař's run behind the Russian back four with a sublime pass. The VfL Wolfsburg man confidently rounded Malafeev before clipping home from an ever-tightening angle.
Arshavin responded to Plašil in kind, flicking nonchalantly through for Kerzhakov, but he was left looking to the heavens after dragging his shot wide of the far post. It was not a night to remember for the 29-year-old, who was substituted soon after firing another opportunity wastefully wide. Fortunately for Russia, his profligacy did not cost them, though Malafeev had to produce an excellent save to stop a Rosický drive before Dzagoev and Pavlyuchenko, who had replaced Kerzhakov, put the issue beyond doubt.www.uefa.com
'Magic moment at our fingertips'
The European football family and its guests gathered together at Warsaw's Royal Castle on Thursday night to herald the much-anticipated start of UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, with all eyes turning eagerly towards what everyone hopes will be a celebration of football's beauty and values in the weeks to come.
Speaking to government ministers, representatives of the eight host cities, members of European national football associations, and sporting and business guests from throughout Europe and beyond, UEFA President Michel Platini encapsulated the anticipation that is now at fever pitch for the tournament.
"We are finally there! The people of Poland and Ukraine have been waiting for more than five years for this moment," said Mr Platini. "This magic moment is at our fingertips.
"In less than 24 hours, the EURO will kick off and the whole of Europe will finally be able to breathe football, be stirred by football and live football non-stop for more than three weeks," he added. "This kick-off will be like a liberation for all of us, as well as for the players, who are only waiting for one thing – to be on the pitch and show that they can go down in history.
"The three weeks which lie ahead must be an immense festival, a popular celebration of the most beautiful sport in the world, because football is just one thing – happiness in its purest form.
"Above all there will be emotions – joy, tears, and exchanges between supporters," the UEFA President continued. "Passionate fans from throughout Europe – or even further away – who will return home with their heads full of images after having lived through a unique experience."
Mr Platini thanked the governments of Poland and Ukraine, as well as the presidents of the two national associations, Grzegorz Lato (Poland) and Gregoriy Surkis (Ukraine), for the work undertaken since they were awarded UEFA EURO 2012 in 2007. "It is a unique and exceptional opportunity for your countries," he said. "This is an opportunity to be seized. It is an historic opening. Anyone who has not understood this is mistaken, and you are going to show them just how."
The UEFA President welcomed the presidents of the 16 participating associations on stage, and presented them with a symbolic gift – a hand-crafted silver football boot. "Good luck to you all," he said. "I hope all your players will behave in an exemplary manner on the pitch, and hope especially that they will succeed in making us dream during this EURO."
uefa.com
"The three weeks which lie ahead must be an immense festival, a popular celebration of the most beautiful sport in the world, because football is just one thing – happiness in its purest form.
"Above all there will be emotions – joy, tears, and exchanges between supporters," the UEFA President continued. "Passionate fans from throughout Europe – or even further away – who will return home with their heads full of images after having lived through a unique experience."
Mr Platini thanked the governments of Poland and Ukraine, as well as the presidents of the two national associations, Grzegorz Lato (Poland) and Gregoriy Surkis (Ukraine), for the work undertaken since they were awarded UEFA EURO 2012 in 2007. "It is a unique and exceptional opportunity for your countries," he said. "This is an opportunity to be seized. It is an historic opening. Anyone who has not understood this is mistaken, and you are going to show them just how."
The UEFA President welcomed the presidents of the 16 participating associations on stage, and presented them with a symbolic gift – a hand-crafted silver football boot. "Good luck to you all," he said. "I hope all your players will behave in an exemplary manner on the pitch, and hope especially that they will succeed in making us dream during this EURO."
uefa.com
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