A brilliant photo to get your attention for this, as the ex favourites Netherlands further distanced themselves from that tag as they lost 2-1 to an impressive Germany, who look like taking the trophy back to Berlin right now on evidence of this thrashing. Germany took the lead when striker Mario Gomez collected a pass with a brilliant first touch to finish with a brilliant side foot, and Gomez doubled his tally with yet another brilliant side footed finish to worry the Dutch. After a whole first and second half dominant performance from the Kaisers, The dutch got one back through Robin Van Persie with a fantastic right footed strike, but apart from that Netherlands don’t look half the team the Germans are becoming.
In the other game in Group B, our old crying friend Cristiano Ronaldo took another strop as his clear cut misses were forgotten as Portugal defeated Denmark 3-2 to gain an upper hand in the qualification for the quarter finals. Defender Pepe headed Portugal ahead, with striker Helder Postiga putting them two up with a good finish. Danish “king” or whatever he thinks he is Nicklas Bendtner got one back before the half time whistle after a good team move, and it was Bendtner who could’ve proved a hero with an equaliser late on with a great header. But it wasn’t to be for the Great Dane as substitute Silvestre Varela mucked up his first effort with an unstoppable strike into the back of the net.
The “group of death” as labelled is now heating up with the Netherlands the only team to not pick up any points; will they crumble to the mighty Danish? Or Mr Portuguese cry baby?
By Jason Barr
