Euro cup 2012 Result Netherlands 1 – 2 Germany

Netherlands Vs Germany Match Report

Well this is a game of two heavy weights on the international stage and the first real chance of the game falls to Robin Van Persie of the Netherlands with a great ball over the top of the defence finding Van Persie who volleys it straight at German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Just 2 minutes later Oezil volleys from the edge of the areas and strikes it with venom towards the bottom right of the goal which hits the post then forces a smart save from Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Steklenburg. Both teams moving the ball around well, Robin Van Persie has yet another good opportunity which he scuffs. A really good game so far in the first 10 minutes.

With 15 minutes played the Germans look more comfortable in posession and perhaps a bit more clinical but the Netherlands remain massive threat with Van Persie having another opportunity, the dutch have also had the games first corner. The Germans begin to look frail at the back and the Netherlands look the more likely to score nearing the 20 minute mark.

23 Minutes in and the first goal is scored by Mario Gomez for Germany, threaded through excellently by Schweinsteiger for a relatively simple finish. Robben then tries a shot with his left foot as he comes in from the right but its a relatively easy save for Neuer.

Since the Goal Germany have looked more composed and look the more dangerous of the two sides with Gomez going through but he was just offside, Oezil also looking dangerous in the game. Badstuber has a great chance to score another with a header but he aims it straight at Steklenberg.

Quick Fact: Mario Gomez had five shots at Euro 2008 and scored no goals. He’s had five shots so far at Euro 2012 and scored three times.

As I write that stat he scores again (I’ve edited it to include that goal), A wonderful strike with this game quickly become another game to remember in this Euro 2012 tournament. The goalkeeper should have done alot better there for that Gomez goal, he’ll be disappointed with himself there. Nearing half time now and the Germans still look in control of the game with the Netherlands looking extremely wasteful in possession. The final action of the half is almost another German goal this time a Podolski free-kick hits Robben in the wall and it almost loops into his own net, smart save by the Dutch keeper.

The second half gets underway and the Netherlands need to change something here, Affelay and Van Bommel come off for Van Der Vaart and Huntelaar come on as the Dutch look to really have a go here. Even with the substitutions in the opening minutes Germany look to be controlling the game and are bossing the midfield.

A few minutes later Hummels makes an excellent run forward forcing a double save by the dutch keeper and he has another header on target from the resulting corner. It really is all Germany at the moment, showing some great attacking prowess.

Netherlands make their first really effort at going forward and earn a corner, which in the end comes to nothing, at around the 56th minutes mark. Van Persie then has a really good effort on goal a classy shot and a very classy save by Neuer. Really good stop there from the young German keeper, much better in the few next minutes from the Netherlands.

Germany the become the more dominant side again with the only time the Netherlands have been in the German half was from the strike from Sniejder which goes narrowly wide. Towards the 65 minutes the Netherlands are coming back into the game again, holland are however very inconsistant. You cant really see them coming into the game if it continues how it is.

The game is becoming a bit more competitive and the in the 70 minute robben has a good effort on goal and moments later Van Persie hits a sweet strike into the bottom right hand corner, Goalkeeper had no chance and the Netherlands have suddenly become much more dangerous, Van Persie almost through again!

Its much more of a game now really riveting stuff the Dutch are going for it now, Germany make a substitution with Oezil, arguably Germany’s best player, makes way for Toni Kroos as the Germans try to take the tempo out of the game. Robben has also come off and has made a right meal of his substitution jumping over the advertising and walks around the stadium, clearly displeased as Dirk Kuyt comes on.

The rhythm has just been taken out of the game with 5 minutes remaining. Jerome Boeteng is booked for time wasting and will miss the next match, Germany are really using all the time wasting techniques in the book here. Germany have been in control of most of this game and look set to see this game out. The final whistle goes and it finishes 2 – 1 to Germany.

The referee was Jonas Eriksson of sweden and he’s had a good game, apologies for writing this not in the past tense but im writing as I’m watching. Germany all but qualified now.. stil not mathematically certain though!