Denmark qualify for Euro 2012

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Denmark qualify for Euro 2012

Portugal lost the leading position in the last match of the group H last night when they were defeated 1-2 at the Parken stadium by Denmark who have thus qualified for the Euro 2012.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal was insufficient for Paulo Bento’s side who conceded the first goal early in the first half. Krohn Dehli opened the score for the hosts, while Arsenal’s star Bendtner doubled the lead amid the second part. Ronaldo cut the deficit with a couple of minutes left in the game as Portugal guaranteed a play off place.
Portugal, who were condemned to grab at least one point to secure the Euro 2012 spot, were dominated very often by a stubborn Denmark who struggled to pick the three points and avoid the play off rounds. The hosts dominated the early minutes but they also had to wait 13 minutes to take the first lead.
The opener came from Krohn Dehli following a three pass action on the halfway. The left midfielder was picked amid the Portugal half and continued to run past his mark whom he beat on the edge of the box before striking it into the far post past keeper Rui Patricio who was also disturbed by a short deflection from one of the Portuguese defenders.
Morten Olsen’s side then threatened with a big upset but the hosts could not find the net anymore. On the other side, Portugal failed to bring too much danger on Sorensen’s goal as neither Ronaldo, nor Nani managed to break through and level the situation.
The half time thus went 1-0 as Denmark were already looking as main favorites for the leading position in the group H. Three minutes into the second part they edged the second goal following a dangerous action on the left created by Rommendahl whose cross was miscleared by Chelsea player Pereira. Unfortunately for the hosts Bendtner also failed to make the contact with the ball as Paulo Bento’s side escaped the potential disaster.
Great shaped Krohn Dehli was looking for more and the 54 minute saw him miss a good opportunity from range. Portugal got their first golden chance of the term just a couple of minutes later when Martins was perfectly picked inside the box from where he struck it straight at keeper Sorensen. Portugal got yet another chance in the 60^th minute but Alves mocked the build up with a wasted cross.
Just two minutes later Denmark made it 2-0 through Bendtner who completed an easy formality following a superb action from the right which saw Rommedahl serve his team mate into the six yard box from where the Arsenal striker converted home past Rui. Rommendahl created another similar action minutes later but the finish was late to come.
Nani tried his luck with a shot from distance which missed the target. Portugal were intensifying their danger as the game progressed as Meireles was blocked by Sorensen with ten minutes left. Instead of defending the result, the hosts were chasing a third one, given the much space allowed by the Portuguese side.
Patricio saved his side yet again in the 84^th minute when Rommendahl’s cross was intercepted by Bendtner whose header was tipped over by the keeper. Even more than that, Denmark remained in the opposite half to put more pressure.
Rommendahl made himself some space on the edge of the box but his finish was parried by Patricio. Jakob Poulsen then got one to one with the same Portuguese keeper who was one of the best players. The referee showed four minutes of added time as Ronaldo only needed two to put his name on the scoreboard with a screamer.
Portugal won a free kick nearly 30 yards out which the Real Madrid star struck over the wall and straight into the top left hand corner in what was one of the best goals of the Preliminaries. Unfortunately, the away side were unable to bring a leveler which could have propelled them top spot in the group.
Denmark finished first with 19 points and Portugal go to play offs with 16. Norway also gathered 16 points but went third in the group. Iceland finished the stage with four points, while Cyprus only earned a couple of points.
Said defender Andreas Bjelland after the big win: “Our tactics were spot on and we did everything we had talked about before the game; really doing very well, closing them down in key areas, especially up front. We knew all about their quality, but we played a very solid game. Portugal have a great side and some great players but we played as a team, showed courage and won deservedly.”
Denmark – Sorensen; Silberauer, Bjelland, Kjaer, Jacobsen; Eriksen, Kvist, Zimling; Krohn Dehli, Rommendal; Bendtner. Reserves: L. Schone, C. Poulsen, B. Svensson, S. Andersen, S. Larsen, S. Poulsen, J. Poulsen.
Portugal – Rui Patricio; Pereira, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Eliseu; Raul Meireles, Martins, Moutinho; Nani, Ronaldo, Helder. Reserves: Eduardo, Ruben AMorim, N. Gomes, Ricardo Costa, M. Veloso, R. Micael, R. Quaresma.

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