Willems becomes youngest to play at Euro finals

Published Jun. 9, 2012 5:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

Netherlands left back Jetro Willems has become the youngest player ever at a European Championship when he started against Denmark in Saturday's Group B opener.

Willems, aged 18 years and 71 days, was selected by coach Bert van Marwijk for the position left largely unclaimed since Giovanni van Bronckhorst retired after the World Cup final in 2010.

Willems beat the mark of Belgium's Enzo Scifo, who was 18 years and 115 days when he faced Yugoslavia at the 1984 edition. PSV Eindhoven's Willems only made his debut against Bulgaria two weeks ago.