What: Netherlands vs. Denmark; Group E, Match 1
When: Monday, June 14, 7:30 am ET
Where: Soccer City, Johannesburg
TV: ESPN, Univisión
Group E opens with an intriguing matchup that pits together some of Europe's better talent. The Netherlands and their stable of top-flight forwards may be clear favorites to win the round robin, but Denmark are no slouches and have a European pedigree of their own. Having missed out on the last World Cup, the 1992 European champions are looking to make a mark on the tournament, and a good result against one of the world's best would be a clear statement of intent.
Netherlands
As with near every tournament they play in, the pressure is on the Netherlands to make at least the semifinals. There are few sides that boast more talent than the Oranje, who glided through the qualifiers unbeaten.
WATCH:NETHERLANDS TEAM PROFILE
BUY: NETHERLANDS JERSEY
Though star winger Arjen Robben will miss the group opener as he recovers from a hamstring injury, the attack is still loaded with firepower. Arsenal star Robin van Persie has four goals in his last three warm-up matches, but the Dutch will be wary of overconfidence.
"Yes, we did excellently in our warm-up matches, but we are taking nothing for granted against any opponents in the World Cup," head coach Bert van Marwijk told reporters.
Denmark
Denmark have injury concerns of their own, as striker Nicklas Bendtner—who has not played since May—will sit out with a groin injury. However, much of their quality begins out of the back, with Stoke City's Thomas Sorensen manning the pipes behind Liverpool center back Daniel Agger.
WATCH:DENMARK TEAM PROFILE
BUY: DENMARK JERSEY
Unlike the Netherlands, Denmark enjoy virtually no expectations from their home nation and will look to use that to an advantage on Monday.
"Everyone expects them to beat us quite easily and so we have nothing to lose on Monday, which can result in a surprise," winger Dennis Rommedahl told reporters.
Key Players
Netherlands: Wesley Sneijder. The Inter star has been in superb club form, and with Robben expected to miss the opener, much of the Netherland's creativity will come via Sneijder's pinpoint passing. Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has tipped Sneijder to be the player of the tournament.
Denmark: Christian Poulsen. The midfield general was missing from Denmark's last friendly against Austria, against whom they slumped to defeat. The 30-year-old will attempt to break up Holland's distribution from the middle out to the flanks.
Final Analysis
Five of the past six meetings between these two sides have ended in a draw, and if Denmark can pack the midfield and neutralize the Dutch's threat, they'll be happy to add to that stat. However, the Netherlands are peaking in form right now and have the ability to beat anyone in the tournament—even without Robben patrolling the flanks—and will expect to ease past what is surely their toughest opponent in the group.
