Danes send Bulgaria home in disgrace

Bulgaria 0 Denmark 2

Bulgaria went out of Euro 2004 in disgrace after five bookings and skipper Stilian Petrov sent off as they lost a nasty, spiteful Group C clash to Denmark.

The Bulgarians had already had five put past them by Sweden and seemed to set out to kick and bully there way through this match, even if Denmark’s Thomas Gravesen was equally culpable for his part in the rough stuff.

Denmark had taken a first-half lead through Milan’s Jon Dahl Tomasson, tapping home after the dour Bulgarians were cut apart in the last minute of the first half.

In a very poor second half Denmark seemed to be dragged to their opponents level, as the match worsened.

Celtic's Stilian Petrov was then sent off for dissent after his side were denied at least a free-kick when Lazarov was brought down heading for goal in the last 10 minutes.

The Bulgarians had lost it by now, Martin Petrov being the next in the book for a trip.

A second goal now seemed inevitable, and in injury time Gronkjaer made sure with a goal his industry and skill had deserved.

While Denmark will be happy with the win, they know they must get something from their final match against Sweden on Tuesday to be sure of reaching the quarter-finals.