So here’s to Michael Krohn-Dehli, a Danish journeyman who has never played outside the unfancied league of his native country aside from a short, disastrous spell in the Netherlands. His pick-you-out-of-your-seat performance on Saturday has changed the early complexion of Group B at Euro 2012.
At 7:24 local time in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Krohn-Dehli scored after a marvellous, ankle-breaking feint put him in alone on Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. At 7:25, the non-Scandinavian world was running to Wikipedia, trying to figure out who this guy is.
He’s the guy who saved the group, and may have turned this tournament decisively.
Germany followed with a nervy 1-0 win over Portugal here in Lviv. They were the better team, but spent much of the last 15 minutes in retreat. Only one of Bayern Munich star Mario Gomez’s trademark headers across the face of goal saved German blushes. Still, a few things are now clear.
The upcoming match between Germany and the Netherlands on Wednesday may actually turn out to be the tournament’s best, as opposed to its most hyped. If the Netherlands lose and Denmark win, the Dutch are eliminated. A draw could also be fatal.
It’s win or nothing for the Dutch now.
It will be curious to see if the Oranje can get together for a few minutes in the days to come and agree that all the offensive-minded players (that is, everyone on the team aside from the goalkeeper) will agree that not everyone can be headed to the net at all times. On Saturday, we saw bad, old, ball-hogging Holland. In three days time, we need to see smart, caring-is-sharing, World Cup 2010 Holland.
The Germans don’t need to change a thing — despite all their talent, grinding out wins is what they do best on this stage.
Portugal will feel hard-done-by after putting up a decent effort against what might be the world’s best-balanced side. They just couldn’t find any bite. In the end, it was substitute Silvestre Varela aiming a sure goal directly into the nether regions of German keeper Manuel Neuer. Cristiano Ronaldo looked badly put out afterward, though he didn’t get anywhere near as close to goal all night long. Ronaldo is at serious risk of fading out of another big tournament, with few chances left to secure his international legacy.
But it will be the presumptive whipping horse of the group feeling best this morning. Denmark topped Portugal in their qualifying group for this tournament, and now face that same team on Wednesday with a chance to advance to the knockout rounds for only the second time since their shock championship at Euro 1992.
If you are looking to change bandwagons early in this race — and treachery is always best done early in the day — Danish red might look good on you right now.
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