The Netherlands suffered a shocking run of bad luck as they lost to Denmark in their Euro 2012 opener, Ajax's Russian striker Dmitry Bulykin told R-Sport on Sunday.
Michael Krohn-Dehli's first-half strike ensured the Danes scraped a 1-0 win as the Netherlands spurned a series of good chances.
Dutch forward Arjen Robben compared his team's experience to a "bad movie" after the match, in which he hit the post and Robin van Persie missed a string of opportunities to score.
"I think no one would think of questioning the class of the Dutch attack," Bulykin said.
"They were unlucky not to use their chances in this match, while the Danes' plan for the match worked out and they scored their goal and then played in defense safely."
The result blew Group B wide open, he said.
"Now every team in this group has a chance of reaching playoffs."
In Saturday's other game a Mario Gomez header gave Germany a 1-0 win over Portugal.
The Netherlands could see their hopes of Euro 2012 glory end with defeat to Germany on Wednesday, while the Danes can secure a place in the quarterfinals by beating Portugal if the other game goes their way.
Bulykin, 32, moved to Ajax in August from Anderlecht after becoming the Dutch league’s second top scorer with 21 goals while on loan at ADO Den Haag in 2010-11.
His agent told R-Sport last month that Bulykin has refused a contract extension at Ajax because he is fed up with being used as a substitute.
ADO are reportedly interested in signing him.
Bulykin has seven goals in 15 Russia appearances, including scoring the winner in a 2-1 group stage victory at Euro 2004 over eventual champions Greece.
He has not played for the national team since 2004 and was left out of Russia’s Euro 2012 squad.
Bulykin has repeatedly claimed that Russia coach Dick Advocaat refuses to select him for personal reasons.
