No one expected such start from the Dutch team which is one of the favorites of Euro-2012. Morten Olsen, head coach of the Danish team, stated at the press conference before the match that Denmark was a favorite. Bert van Marwijk, head coach of the Dutch team, did not hide that he planned only victory. Though, after the match, Dutch fans who drank much a lot of beer in Kharkiv were disappointed but Danish fans celebrated victory. By the way, there are many fans of Holland in Kharkiv and they were on the stadium with orange jerseys. They could not hide disappointment after the match.
I watched Holland-Denmark match and I will try to tell you the situation on the stadium before, after and during the match. I wish every football fan to attend such match once in life.
One hour and half before the start of the match, Ukrainian, Dutch and Danish TV viewers started “milling” spectators with boys and girls who were dressed in participant jerseys.
Monitors which were installed on the table of journalist lounges showed how buses of Danish and Dutch national teams were going to “Metalist” stadium. It must be said that cameramen worked perfectly from helicopter and stadium. It was shown how staffs of both teams were preparing equipment for football players. Players’ age, height, weight and number of matches in the national team were shown on the monitor. Journalists can watch events of the field on the monitor. Also, they can repeat moments.
First, Danish team showed up on the field and then Dutch players. The football players examined grass. Morten Olsen and Wesley Sneijder greeted each other warmly. They talked a little and Olsen even joked while saying goodbye. Arjen Robben showed up the last from the Dutch team. He embraced Danish leader Dennnis Rommedahl and they talked before they were not called in dressing room. By the way, after the match these football players exchanged jerseys. Rommedahl who was congratulated on victory by his wife gave the jersey of Robben to his friend.
Opening ceremony was held before the match and referee whistled. Dutch players must blame themselves that they are left without point. They could not use many goal moments. Robin van Persie, the best football player of last Premier League, had a chance to score two goals before Denmark scored. At the beginning of the second half, he could not use two good moments. It is worth mentioning that when van Persie was missing his chances, substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was shown on the monitor. It must be said that van Marwijk let him play very late. In the first half, Robben played on that wing which was near journalist lounge and I assured in mastership of this player once again. Wesley Sneijder was not very active in the first half. He made three perfect assist in the second half but Dutch players could not use them. It is worth mentioning that the referee should have awarded penalty in the first half because Simon Poulsen played with hand. I saw this moment perfectly. The Dutch players had pretensions toward the referee in the second half. They demanded penalty. After the end of the match, Huntelaar came up to the main referee Slovenian Damir Skomina and explained him that the Danish broke rules in his penalty area. But it was no use. Perhaps, good playing of Michael Krohn-Dehli was surprise for the Dutch players. Michael scored goal of victory. This midfielder is very quick player. It was obvious that the Dutch players found it difficult to take the ball away from him. When Michael scored goal, John Heitinga and Mark van Bommel could do nothing. Bommel even did not run after him.
We must say few words about the referees. Olsen is very emotional and often jumped from the chair to give the players instructions. At the beginning of the match, Olsen could not hide emotions.
I cannot say the same about van Marwijk. He did not show emotions but he was happy in one moment.
Holland will hold the next match against Germany on “Metalist” on June 3. In case of failure, “oranges” can start pack up luggage.
Lasha Tabagari, special correspondent of worldsport.ge from Kharkiv
