Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
In the lunch time kick off which demonstrates the dichotomy of the TV schedules, we saw two technically very good European teams with small TV audiences battle it out at Soccer City in Johannesburg. That the Dutch should have won is perhaps no surprise, but it could be argued that the scoreline flatters both sides. In a slightly disappointing first half, in which possession was totally dominated by the Netherlands it was Denmark who probably had the best chance - Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner choosing the wrong option from Dennis Rommedahl's right wing cross about half way through the half.
However things turned away from Denmark in the first minute of the second half with one of those freakish own goals that you're always glad someone else has scored and not you. In attempting to clear Robin van Persie's cross all that Simon Poulson could do was to direct the ball back towards his own goal - he was spared the ignominy of the o.g. as the ball hit Daniel Agger on the way in. I guess that Agger scored it with an assist from Poulson. Now chasing the game, things didn't get any better for Denmark, as on 85 minutes Dirk 'Sniffer' Kuyt got on the end of a rebounded shot from second half substitute, and the best player on the pitch, Eljero Elia to make it 2-0.
I have to point out some lazy commentating from Jon Champion, shame that because he's usually really good. Exhibit one, his constant reference to Holland when he means Netherlands (lets face it we all do it, but Holland is such a small part of the small country that is The Netherlands). Exhibit two was his cheap jibe at the French who he told us are the only team not to have complained about the ball - maybe that's because they are sponsored by the ball's manufacturers. Funny that, but Denmark, who also sport the three stripes are one of the teams who have whinged about the ball. Tsk tsk Jon, national stereotypes eh? You really don't have to try too hard to make em stick. However, that said, this referee was French and how on earth Nigel De Jong stayed on the pitch is beyond my ken...
