Less than 24 hours after tournament co-hosts, Poland crashed out of the ongoing Euro 2012 Championships, one of the pre-Championships favourites, Netherlands, has followed suit.

Netherlands, with their array of stars, including English Premier League’s highest goal scorer, Robin Van Persie, last night lost 1-2 to Portugal to bow out of the competition at the group stage without any point on the board.

After losing to Denmark and Germany in their first two matches, Netherlands still had an outside chance of making the quarter final stage provided they beat Portugal and Germany beats Denmark.

While Germany kept their own side of the bargain 2-1, Portugal came from behind, courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace, to break the Netherlands’ heart.

Now, Germany and Portugal in group B, join Czech Republic and Greece as quarter finalists at the championships.

Tonye Orabere