Oranje crash out of UEFA Euro 2012

18 juni 2012 08:30

The Netherlands are out of UEFA Euro 2012 after losing their final Group B match 2-1 to Portugal at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv on Sunday. Rafael van der Vaart gave his team the lead but Cristiano Ronaldo’s scored a double to send Portugal through to the last eight as the Netherlands crashed out of the tournament.

Mark van Bommel and his PSV team mate Kevin Strootman.

Jetro Willems was handed another start

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk had made three changes to the team that were beaten 2-1 by Germany, bringing on Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Rafael van der Vaart and Ron Vlaar for Ibrahim Afellay, Mark van Bommel and John Heitinga. Jetro Willems was again handed a start. The Oranje took the lead in the 11th minute, when Van der Vaart curled a delicious shot with his left foot into the left corner. But then Portugal started to take command and they were all over the place, creating a host of chances. Cristiano Ronaldo leveled the score after 27 minutes. After the break, the Oranje tried to restore some pride, but lost all belief when Ronaldo scored his second goal of the night in the 74th minute. After 66 minutes, Ibrahim Afellay came on for Jetro Willems who had been booked in the 50th minute . Germany kept their promise, beating Denmark 2-1, but Holland are out of the tournament after suffering three defeats from three Group B matches. Germany and Portugal are through to the last eight.