Denmark claimed the first upset of Euro 2012 by overcoming a badly misfiring Netherlands side 1-0 in their opening Group B match at Metalist Stadium here on Saturday. Brondby forward Michael Krohn-Dehli claimed the game's only goal mid-way through the first half, as Denmark avenged their opening-game loss at the 2010 World Cup and recorded a first win over the Dutch since 1967.
Defeat already compromises the Netherlands' chances of progressing to the knockout phase, with games against Germany and Portugal still to come in the competition's most unforgiving group. Beaten finalists at the World Cup and top scorers in qualifying, the Dutch entered the tournament among the favourites but their hopes of success in Poland and Ukraine may now hinge on Wednesday's encounter with Germany.
"This is the game," rued Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk. "We were really determined and I thought that we played even better than our opponents, but you have to score that goal." Denmark, meanwhile, will advance with renewed belief that they can emulate their shock Euro triumph from 1992, particularly as they finished above forthcoming opponents Portugal in qualifying.