European Championship
June 13, 2012
Netherlands vs Germany
Group B
18:45 +00:00, June 13, 2012
Metalist Stadium
Chris Borg
This game would have been big under any circumstances - it is one of European football's fiercest rivalries, after all - but the contrasting fortunes of the teams in their opening group matches have conspired to make it huge, the occasion of Euro 2012 so far.
Netherlands did everything but score against Denmark, when they displayed a quite startling level of profligacy. Robin van Persie failed to take a parade of chances, keeper Stephan Andersen piled on the frustration with some fine saves and Denmark's Michael Krohn-Dehli scored the only goal of the game.
That, coupled with Germany's pedestrian 1-0 win over Portugal, set up a nightmare scenario for the World Cup finalists: lose to the old enemy and it's looking pretty much over before the group stages have even finished. In contrast, Germany would be all but into the quarter-finals.
The Denmark result prompted anger at coach Bert Van Marwijk in the Netherlands (there were media calls for him to quit), along with pleas for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to be handed Van Persie's role. But, their woeful finishing apart, there wasn't a lot wrong with what the Dutch did. They didn't play badly, and one could argue that the reaction might not have been quite so frenzied had they been facing anyone other than the Germans in a must-win game next.
If they can replicate the sort of build-up play that had the Danes struggling at times, they can cause Germany problems (although they won't get anywhere near as many chances). And if they can find some bite, they can make it count for something this time. "It is make or break, but we are still confident," winger Arjen Robben said. "We can and should win. If that happens, everything is good."
Joachim Low's Germany won't have taken kindly to being told by Rafael van der Vaart that they only have three players of real class, even if those players of real class (more than three) failed to sparkle against the Portuguese.
A 72nd-minute goal from Mario Gomez, who was on the brink of being substituted, did the trick, but Low admitted his team hadn't done themselves justice and were short of the slick attacking play that has been their hallmark in recent tournaments. They were no means infallible in defence, either - something that should encourage Netherlands - and were indebted to a late save from Manuel Neuer and a fine block by Holger Badstuber.
"It's very important not to chase your own shadow," Low said. "Both teams knew the team that lost would have a lot to do in the next. We could have attacked a bit better, but we will do that. The main thing is that we won."
Winning, even more than it usually is in a match against Germany, is now the main thing for Netherlands. But they desperately need to rediscover their shooting boots - and quickly.
Netherlands player to watch: Robin van Persie
It seems unlikely, despite the calls for change, that Van Persie will be dropped. If he isn't, he will be desperate to make amends for Denmark. Memories of his misses that evening would be well and truly obliterated by a winner against the Germans.
Germany player to watch: Lukas Podolski
Podolski was a disappointment against Portugal, failing to get a foothold and blasting a fine chance gruesomely over the bar. He can only play better and help meet the challenge he laid down to the team after the opening match: "Everybody expects fun football from us, and we have to match those expectations."
Key Battle: Jetro Willems v Thomas Mueller
Netherlands left-back Willems became the youngest player at a European Championship when, aged 18, he was picked to start against Denmark. He attributed himself well despite the occasional drift out of position, but will have his work cut out against Mueller who, in the second half against Portugal, started producing some trademark runs down the right and dangerous balls into the area.
Trivia: Germany did not fall behind in any of their qualification games, taking the lead in all of them. Stat: All seven games between these two sides in major competitions have seen both of them score.
Odds: Netherlands (3.00), the draw (3.40) and Germany (2.40) are on offer with bet365 while a 1-1 scoreline is available at 6.00.
Prediction: This could be fiery and (for Netherlands if they fall behind) a little desperate. An ill-tempered, frantic 1-1 draw doesn't seem that far beyond the bounds of possibility.
This game would have been big under any circumstances - it is one of European football's fiercest rivalries, after all - but the contrasting fortunes of the teams in their opening group matches have conspired to make it huge, the occasion of Euro 2012 so far.
Netherlands did everything but score against Denmark, when they displayed a quite startling level of profligacy. Robin van Persie failed to take a parade of chances, keeper Stephan Andersen piled on the frustration with some fine saves and Denmark's Michael Krohn-Dehli scored the only goal of the game.
That, coupled with Germany's pedestrian 1-0 win over Portugal, set up a nightmare scenario for the World Cup finalists: lose to the old enemy and it's looking pretty much over before the group stages have even finished. In contrast, Germany would be all but into the quarter-finals.
The Denmark result prompted anger at coach Bert Van Marwijk in the Netherlands (there were media calls for him to quit), along with pleas for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to be handed Van Persie's role. But, their woeful finishing apart, there wasn't a lot wrong with what the Dutch did. They didn't play badly, and one could argue that the reaction might not have been quite so frenzied had they been facing anyone other than the Germans in a must-win game next.
If they can replicate the sort of build-up play that had the Danes struggling at times, they can cause Germany problems (although they won't get anywhere near as many chances). And if they can find some bite, they can make it count for something this time. "It is make or break, but we are still confident," winger Arjen Robben said. "We can and should win. If that happens, everything is good."
Joachim Low's Germany won't have taken kindly to being told by Rafael van der Vaart that they only have three players of real class, even if those players of real class (more than three) failed to sparkle against the Portuguese.
A 72nd-minute goal from Mario Gomez, who was on the brink of being substituted, did the trick, but Low admitted his team hadn't done themselves justice and were short of the slick attacking play that has been their hallmark in recent tournaments. They were no means infallible in defence, either - something that should encourage Netherlands - and were indebted to a late save from Manuel Neuer and a fine block by Holger Badstuber.
"It's very important not to chase your own shadow," Low said. "Both teams knew the team that lost would have a lot to do in the next. We could have attacked a bit better, but we will do that. The main thing is that we won."
Winning, even more than it usually is in a match against Germany, is now the main thing for Netherlands. But they desperately need to rediscover their shooting boots - and quickly.
Netherlands player to watch: Robin van Persie
It seems unlikely, despite the calls for change, that Van Persie will be dropped. If he isn't, he will be desperate to make amends for Denmark. Memories of his misses that evening would be well and truly obliterated by a winner against the Germans.
Germany player to watch: Lukas Podolski
Podolski was a disappointment against Portugal, failing to get a foothold and blasting a fine chance gruesomely over the bar. He can only play better and help meet the challenge he laid down to the team after the opening match: "Everybody expects fun football from us, and we have to match those expectations."
Key Battle: Jetro Willems v Thomas Mueller
Netherlands left-back Willems became the youngest player at a European Championship when, aged 18, he was picked to start against Denmark. He attributed himself well despite the occasional drift out of position, but will have his work cut out against Mueller who, in the second half against Portugal, started producing some trademark runs down the right and dangerous balls into the area.
Trivia: Germany did not fall behind in any of their qualification games, taking the lead in all of them. Stat: All seven games between these two sides in major competitions have seen both of them score.
Odds: Netherlands (3.00), the draw (3.40) and Germany (2.40) are on offer with bet365 while a 1-1 scoreline is available at 6.00.
Prediction: This could be fiery and (for Netherlands if they fall behind) a little desperate. An ill-tempered, frantic 1-1 draw doesn't seem that far beyond the bounds of possibility.
