Kuyt targets positive start

Dirk Kuyt says the Netherlands must win their opening match of Euro 2012 against Denmark if they are to have a successful campaign.

Bert van Marwijk’s men met the Danes in their first game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and their 2-0 victory over Morten Olsen’s side spurred them on to reach the final of the competition.

And Kuyt, who scored his country’s second goal of that game two years ago, insists his team must overcome the Scandinavians once again if they are to reach the Euro 2012 final in Kiev on July 1.

But he expects a more difficult challenge this time around against the improved Danes.

“The World Cup has shown us how important it is to win the first match,” the new Fenerbahce signing told NU Sport. “We have to do that again.

“Denmark have improved a lot since then. They have won five of their last six meetings with Portugal, which indicates that they are a stronger team and have become more stable.”

The Netherlands clash with Denmark in Kharkiv on Saturday.