Published 6/13/2012 5:38:55 PM by Roberto Garcia from soccermogul

That sound you heard from across the Atlantic was Holland landing with a resounding thud.  After suffering an embarrassing defeat to Denmark in their opening Euro 2012 match, The Netherlands slumped to a disheartening 2-1 loss to favorites Germany today.

It really could not have gone much worse for a team that had legitimate thoughts of making a deep run.  A porous defense allowed German forward Mario Gomez to strike for a pair of first half goals and left Holland walking off the field at halftime shaking their heads.

The second half saw a brief fightback as they threw everything they had at Germany.  Robin Van Persie rifled one home and there was definite life in the Dutch.  Instead, Germany put their foot down and allowed nothing else.  They saw the game out in dominating fashion.

The loss leaves Holland hanging by a thread.  Their only hope is for Germany to beat Denmark and then have Holland win by multiple goals against a resurgent Portugal side.  A tall order at best and most unlikely.

Portugal used a late goal from Varela to slip past Denmark 3-2 in a highly entertaining match.  Denmark rallied from a two goal deficit only to botch it at the end.  Both sides sit on three points heading into their last group match so everything is to play for.

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