Netherlands are facing elimination from Euro 2012, after they were beaten 2-1 by Germany on Wednesday night.

Bert van Marwijk's men needed a positive result after being beaten 1-0 by Denmark in their first game, and as such they are now bottom of Group B with a slim chances of still going through to the knockout rounds.

Mario Gomez bagged a brace in the first half to give this side a commanding lead, and although Robin van Persie pulled one back in the second 45, the Oranje slumped to defeat.

Dutch boss Van Marwijk admitted that his side defended poorly after the game.

"We simply defended very poorly. And the cooperation between the defence and the two holding midfielders was disappointing," he told reporters after the game.

"We put in a good performance in the opening 20 minutes and got some decent chances. But you have to be at your very best if you want to beat Germany. Some of the players are struggling with their form.

"The German goal came out of nothing, it was a fault from us, we were too open in the centre. We gave them too much space," he conceded.

Netherlands take on Portugal in their last group game, and must win and hope that Germany beat Denmark.

By Gareth McKnight

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