Photo Gallery Germany Triumphs over the Dutch
Although Chancellor Merkel decided not to attend Germany's Euro 2012 games in Ukraine in protest against the government's treatment of Yulia Tymoshenko, she still watched Wednesday's match in Berlin -- and clearly enjoyed the national side's victory.
The chancellor is known as a die-hard football fan, and has often attended German national games in the past, but controversy over Tymoshenko's treatment by Euro 2012 co-host Ukraine has prompted her to shun the tournament events held in the country in a bid to increase pressure on Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Earlier on Wednesday Merkel's choice to wear an orange jacket caused a bit of confusion in Berlin. After all, orange is the main color of the Dutch national team, which is nicknamed "Oranje."
Ahead of the game in Kharkiv, German football fans who traveled to the match got into the team spirit with pre-game festivities.
Following their surprise 1-0 defeat by Denmark in their first game of the tournament, Dutch fans were hoping for victory in the classic showdown against long-time rival Germany.
German football manager Joachim Löw (center) used the same starting line-up against the Netherlands as he did in the team's first game against Portugal, which they won 1:0.
The players battled for victory in sweltering heat in Kharkiv.
Striker Mario Gomez is the only German player to score goals in the tournament so far. His single point against Portugal was followed up by two impressive goals against the Dutch.
German defender Mats Hummels (left) and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder face off in the Metalist Stadium. The German defense, including Hummels, was already under Dutch pressure in the opening minutes.
Following a pass from Mark van Bommel, the Oranje-striker Robin van Persie (front) had the best early opportunity on the German goal. But it was saved by German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer.
German midfielder Mesut Özil had Germany fans on the edge of their seats when he led the first attack on the Dutch goal. He took a shot...
...but it hit the post, and was saved by Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
German player Lukas Podolski and Oranje's Arjen Robben also faced off during the match.
Following a stellar pass from his Bayern Munich teammate, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Gomez struck the ball into the back of the Dutch net, making it 1:0 for Germany.
Naturally, Gomez was congratulated by his teammates.
Gomez was also responsible for scoring Germany's second goal...
...prompting yet further celebration...
Germany almost raised their lead to 3:0 just before the half-time whistle blew, but Dutch keeper Stekelenburg tipped it over the bar.
Pushing for a goal, Dutch forward Klass-Jan Huntelaar (right) replaced Mark van Bommel for the second half of the match.
The Netherlands' second-half performance was stronger than their first-half performance -- they had several good chances on the German goal.
The German defense worked to keep the Dutch offense at bay, but then came a strike from Robin van Persie...
... who lowered Germany's lead to 2:1. Holland pushed for an equalizing goal, but...
...ultimately, the Germans emerged as the victors. Winning their second group-stage match puts them closer to making the quarter-finals, but the Dutch team is now more likely to be eliminated. And Mario Gomez...
...was the man of the match.
