Holland will have added pressure as they are favorites to top the Group of Death
Holland put together an impressive qualification stage with 27 points out of a possible 30. With their only loss being against Sweden, the Dutch continued their positive form after an impressive 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
With the Dutch only having been defeated by Spain in the World Cup Final, they will set out to claim the European Championship this year.
The Dutch not only made it to the World Cup Final in 2010, but they also eliminated some prestigious opponents along the way. They topped Group E with three wins in as many matches after defeating Japan, Denmark and Cameroon.
This summer, Holland will go head to head with Denmark once again. If history repeats itself and the Dutch play to expectations, they should get the best of the Danes. Brazil and Uruguay were also among the list of teams that were eliminated by the Dutch.
In Euro 2008, Holland enjoyed a great group stage as they took max points from three matches. Scoring nine goals and only conceding one in a group that was made up of France, Italy and Romania is no easy task. An impressive 3-0 victory over Italy in match day 1 was then followed up with 4-1 victory over France. Wesley Sneijder and company met a stronger Russian side in the first knockout stage, sending Holland home after a promising group stage.
With Arsenal skipper Robin Van Persie coming off his best career season; the left footed striker will be aiming to raise his value with an impressive Euro 2012. Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben will be pulling the strings from the midfield, just to name a few of the talented Dutch midfielders that Bert van Marwijk has at his disposal
Portugal is out to prove their critics wrong by booking a place in the knockout round
The Portuguese failed to impress in their final two preparation matches before Euro 2012. A boring draw against Macedonia was followed up with a 1-3 defeat at home against a daring Turkish side.
The Portuguese fans remain hopeful that the Selecao das Quinas can bring home a title. Going into the tournament, not many analysts are giving Portugal a chance, but that doubt will only help to fuel the fire for the Portuguese.
With the shocking defeat in the Euro 2004 finals against Greece still hanging over their heads, many Portuguese fans believe that they may have let their best chance slip away. It is incredible how a nation that has seen some incredible talents come and go has been unable to claim any silverware.
The Group of Death promises to have some action packed matches. Portugal will take on a German side that in Euro 2008 eliminated them in the quarterfinals. Although the Portuguese don't tend to do so well against Germany, playing the Dutch could be a different story.
Portugal eliminated Holland from Euro 2004 with a 2-1 victory for the Portuguese in the semi-finals. The two met again in World Cup 2006 with Portugal emergin victorious again, eliminating Holland in the Round of 16. The second match day against Denmark will be somewhat of a revenge match for Portugal as Denmark came out leaders in their qualifying group, forcing Portugal into a playoff against Bosnia.
Making it out of this group will be extremely hard for a Portuguese side that lacks a true striker. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani being two of the more threatening players for Portugal going forward, the Portuguese could fall right into the hands of their opponents.
Not having a true target man could potentially hurt Portugal, unless Ronaldo has a standout tournament. All four of these teams in the group know Portugal very well, and will be aware of every movement Ronaldo makes on or off the ball.
Group B teams Previous UEFA Euro record
Holland: 8 appearances; 1976 (third place), 1980 (fifth place), 1988 (champions), 1992 (third place), 1996 (eighth place), 2000 (third place), 2004 (fourth place), 2008 (sixth place)
Denmark: 7 appearances; 1964 (fourth place), 1984 (third place), 1988 (group stage), 1992 (champions), 1996 (group stage), 2000 (group stage), 2004 (eighth place)
Germany: 10 appearances; 1972 (champions), 1976 (second place), 1980 (champions), 1984 (group stage), 1988 (third place), 1992 (second place), 1996 (champions), 2000 (group stage), 2004 (group stage), 2008 (second place)
Portugal: 5 appearances; 1984 (semi-finals), 1996 (quarter-finals), 2000 (semi-finals), 2004 (second place), 2008 (quarter-finals)
Group B matches schedule
June 9, 2012: Holland vs. Denmark
June 9, 2012: Germany vs. Portugal
June 13, 2012: Denmark vs. Portugal
June 13, 2012: Holland vs. Germany
June 17, 2012: Portugal vs. Holland
June 17, 2012: Denmark vs. Germany
Prediction
- Holland will qualify as winners of Group B
- The runner-up of Group B will come from the winner of the Germany vs. Portugal match. If the match ends in a draw, the Portuguese will finish second in Group B.
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