Gomez double inflicts more pain on Dutch

KHARKIV: Germany moved to the brink of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on Wednesday after two predatory Mario Gomez strikes gave the three-times champions a 2-1 win over old rivals Holland in their Group B match.

The Germans, having started off by beating Portugal, made it two wins in two as they consolidated their status as group leaders while the Dutch are reeling and almost out having already lost to Denmark.

Gomez gave the Germans the lead after 24 minutes with a fine goal to add to his winner against Portugal.

The Bayern Munich forward spun brilliantly onto a finely-weighted through ball from clubmate Bastian Schweinsteiger and fired low past Maarten Stekelenburg in the Dutch goal.

And 13 minutes later he delivered a crushing blow to the Dutch with a rising drive after another Schweinsteiger assist.

Robin van Persie crashed home a drive on the turn for the Dutch as they shrugged off a poor first-half performance but they were unable to conjure anything more even as the Germans began to tire.

Germany now need only a point in their final group match against the Danes to guarantee their passage as group winners while the previously favoured Dutch, champions in 1988, must beat Portugal to have any hope of advancing. (AFP)