Euro 2012: Robben, Sneijder and Other Men of the Netherlands V. Denmark Match

This is the third installment of a tournament-long series in which I pick three men from each team to contend for Man of the Match. Each team's players will be ranked third, runner-up and Man of the Match, with a Man of the Match picked for the whole game at the end. Happy Euros!

The Group of Death kicked off Saturday afternoon with the Netherlands, one of the pre-tournament favorites, facing off against Denmark. 

The Netherlands predictably controlled the opening minutes, with superstars Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie displaying the skills that make them some of the world's best.

However, it was the Danes that took the shocking lead in the 24th minute. Defender Simon Poulsen made a run up the left side and tried a cross, but it was promptly blocked. The ball fell to Michael Krohn-Delhi, who dribbled into the box, cut past two Dutch defenders and coolly slotted the ball home through Maarten Stekelenburg's legs. 

The stadium—and probably everyone who was watching—was stunned, but Danish fans were delirious. 

Dutch pressure didn't let up, however, despite now being a goal down. Arjen Robben continued to make a run up the right side, but Simon Poulsen and captain Daniel Agger continued to absorb the pressure.

An equalizer from Robben almost came in the 36th minute when the mercurial wingman hit the far post with a curling shot after a unforced error from Danish keeper Stephan Andersen. Andersen sent a scuffed clearance right to Robben's feet, who curled his shot into the post.

Denmark looked extremely dangerous every time they went forward, but at the end of 45 minutes, Denmark maintained their 1-0 lead—a quite surprising result. 

The Dutch started the second half much like they started the first—creating chances down the flanks but lacking the final ball or final touch. Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder continued to create and find space all over the pitch, but to no avail.

Despite almost quadrupling Denmark's chance tally, the Orange failed to completely impose themselves on an extremely disciplined Danish defense, and fell 0-1. 

Not exactly what anyone expected.

Here are my picks for Netherlands vs. Denmark Men of the Match. 

Third Place, Netherlands: Robin Van Persie

First of all, I don't know how the human body bends that way.

Despite being a shadow of his Arsenal self against Denmark, Robin van Persie created a lot of space for himself up top for the Netherlands. 

If he had converted even one of his chances, it would have made loads of difference. 

Dutch fans should be simultaneously heartened by the number of chances Robin van Persie made and disgusted by the number of chances he missed. 

Runner-Up, Netherlands: Arjen Robben

Same deal as van Persie: Arjen Robben, at times, single-handedly created the Dutch attack, but missed a myriad of goal-scoring chances. 

At times, Robben was even a little selfish, taking a curling shot from the right side when maybe he should've cut it back or crossed it. 

His best chance came in the first half, when he sent in a curling shot that beat Stephan Andersen but not the far post.

If Robben and van Persie had put on their shooting boots today, there would have been a much more predictable scoreline. 

Man of the Match, Netherlands: Wesley Sneijder

Wesley Sneijder didn't do much wrong in the Netherlands' 0-1 loss to Denmark.

He bossed the midfield for the majority of the game, supplying cutting passes through the Danish back-line and finding the open man who had the best chance. 

He had a quiet, commanding game in the midfield for the Netherlands, which is what you would more or less expect from Wesley Sneijder. 

Not much more to say—Sneijder was the most consistent player on the pitch for the Netherlands. 

Third Place, Denmark: Daniel Agger

It is unfair to single out anyone on the Danish back-line, due to their cohesiveness and ability to contribute on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball against the Netherlands. 

Simon Poulsen had a good game, doing a really good job containing Arjen Robben and making runs up the flank that exposed the Dutch defense.

Lars Jacobsen also did a great job absorbing the Dutch attack on the right side of the pitch.

Along with Simon Kjaer, Daniel Agger formed a brick wall that the Netherlands simply could not break down. 

The mohawked, tattooed captain commanded the Danish back-line with ferocity and decisiveness. 

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers would do well to really think about giving the co-captain honors to Agger next season—but maybe that's just me. 

Runner-Up, Denmark: Stephan Andersen

Even though the Netherlands missed a bunch of chances, Danish keeper Stephan Andersen denied the Dutch a bunch of chances as well. 

His shining moment of the match was a double save of Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie. 

The 30-year-old net-minder commanded his box, picked off corners and pulled off a few stunning saves to deny the Dutch an equalizer. 

Man of the Match, Denmark: Michael Krohn-Dehli

You don't score the goal that gets your side its first win against a international powerhouse in almost 45 years and not get man of the match honors.

Michael Krohn-Dehli scored the opening—and only—goal in the 24th minute, firing the ball between Maarten Stekelenburg's legs. 

The goal got Denmark its first win against the Netherlands since 1967. 

It is also the biggest upset of the tournament thus far—let's hope it's not the only one. 

Man of the Match: Michael Krohn-Dehli

In addition to his game-winning goal, Denmark's No. 9 was a constant presence in the attacking third for Denmark and played a large part in creating a Danish attack that looked dangerous every time it went forward. 

Your Thoughts?

Michael Krohn-Dehli gets my pick for Man of the Match in the Netherlands vs. Denmark for his part in the upset of the tournament so far. 

Who was your Man of the Match? Let me know!

Follow me on Twitter at @TylerHixson16

Happy Euros, and cheers!