Jetro Willems becomes youngest ever Euro player

Jetro Willems became the youngest player in the history of the European Championship after being named in Holland's team to face Denmark in their Euro 2012 Group B opener on Saturday.

The left-back, who is 18 years and 71 days old, broke a record held by Enzo Scifo, who was 18 years and 115 days old when he played for Belgium against Yugoslavia at Euro 84.

Willems lined up alongside Feyenoord's Ron Vlaar, selected to deputise for Joris Mathijsen at centre-back after the experienced Malaga defender was ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-1 friendly loss to Bulgaria.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk kept faith with the attack that plundered six goals in the 6-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland, with Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Ibrahim Afellay supporting lone striker Robin van Persie.

Niki Zimling was named in the Denmark midfield, despite having had to withdraw from training on Friday after injuring his right foot.

The Danish medical staff were worried he had fractured a toe, but scans on Friday revealed he was fit to start the match.

Starting line-ups in the opening Euro 2012 Group B match between the Netherlands and Denmark at Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv on Saturday:

Netherlands (4-2-3-1)

Maarten Stekelenburg; Gregory van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Ron Vlaar, Jetro Willems; Mark van Bommel (capt), Nigel de Jong; Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Ibrahim Afellay; Robin van Persie

Coach: Bert van Marwijk

Denmark (4-2-3-1)

Stephan Andersen; Lars Jacobsen, Simon Kjaer, Daniel Agger (capt), Simon Poulsen; Niki Zimling, William Kvist; Dennis Rommedahl, Christian Eriksen, Michael Krohn-Delhi; Nicklas Bendtner

Coach: Morten Olsen

Referee: Damir Skomina (SLO)