EURO 2012 - Group B Preview
Lets take a look at the Group B table before the matches start:
Similarly to last night each team has the chance to progress through to the next round, or catch the next flight home. Germany have the easiest task and Holland have arguably the hardest, but as the Greeks showed everyone last night, nothing is certain in football.
Germany:
How they can progress:
- A win or draw will send Die Mannschaft through to the quarter finals as group winners
- If they lose and Portugal fail to win
- If they lose by one goal, and Portugal only win by one, while scoring more goals than Portugal
- In it's simplest form, a 1-0 defeat to Denmark, and a win for Portugal
- A defeat to Denmark by more than 1 goal, any win for Portugal
How they can progress:
- They win or draw, Denmark lose to or draw with Germany
- A loss to Holland will result in either Holland or Denmark taking the runners up place in Group B
- Portugal draw while Denmark beat Germany
How they can progress:
- They draw or win while Portugal lose
- If both Denmark and Portugal win (Interestingly if they both win with the same goal difference and goals scored the winner of the group will be decided by UEFA coefficient, with Denmark beating Portugal by two points)
- They lose to Germany, while Holland beat Portugal without getting a better goal difference than Denmark
- Portugal match or better their result
- Holland win and achieve a better goal difference than Denmark, while Denmark lose to Germany
Netherlands
How they can progress:
- Holland have to win, and win big, 1-0 will not be enough, and even if they get the result they need Germany still have to do them a favour and beat Denmark
How they can go home:
- If they fail to win it is over
- If Denmark win or draw Holland will be packing their bags tonight
- A 1-0 win, while Denmark lose 1-0 to Germany, will see Denmark go through thanks to their UEFA coefficient
Well with all that out of the way, lets get down to the games
Denmark vs Germany
Who would have thought that we would be here, the last games in Group B and Denmark could still make it through to the Quarter Finals, is a repeat of EURO '92 on the cards? If that is to happen Denmark will have to win at least one game without Dennis Rommedahl, the mercurial former Charlton midfielder. His lightning pace would have certainly caused any number of problems for Jerome Boateng's replacement.
Michael Krohn-Dehli's trickery and pace has caused both Holland and Portugal problems, scoring the only goal against the former while setting up Nicklas Bendtner's first goal against Portugal. Mats Hummels will have the difficult task of keeping him quiet and he cannot afford any lapse's in concentration like the one that allowed Robin Van Persie to score in Germany's previous game.
Nicklas Bendtner will hope to add to his 20 international goals but the sheer physical presence of Holger Badstuber could limit his opportunities in the air, the only way he has managed to score at EURO 2012 so far.
In midfield Niki Zimling faces a late fitness test for the Danish and the hopes of a nation could ride on the results. Playing alongside William Kvist, Zimling will have to work hard all night to keep Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger quiet.
In goal, former Charlton keeper, Stefan Andersen will need to find his best form. At times he has looked unbeatable but minutes later he can make an awful mistake that will cost his team a goal. With Mario Gomez on song Denmark cannot afford any howlers from their number 1.
Lastly, for Denmark, Christian Eriksen will need to find the form that had people saying he could be one of the breakout stars of this tournament. Defensively, the Ajax midfielder will need to keep Germany's deep lying central midfielder quiet. While going forward he will need to distribute the ball well and create the chances for Krohn-Dehli and Bendtner to test Neuer in the German goal. The 20 year old playmaker has been compared to Brian and Michael Laudrup by the one and only Johann Cruyff. Now is the time for Eriksen to live up to his billing and there may not be a bigger stage for him to achieve it, with Denmark facing elimination if results go against them.
For Germany there is a major issue at the back. Jerome Boateng picked up his second yellow card of the tournament and will miss this match against Denmark. Howedes or Lahm could fill in for him, but Joachim Loew is keeping his cards close to his chest, hinting that he may switch to a three man defence, could Arsenal centre back Per Mertesacker make his first appearance of the tournament against returning teammate Nicklas Bendtner.
Between the sticks Manuel Neuer will continue and the 26 year old will hope to show the form which has him ranked as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. When Oliver Kahn retired many German's worried who would take over from the great man. Now, the heir has well and truly arrived.
The trio of Schweinsteiger, Khedira and Ozil will look to maintain their dominance of midfield. Ozil continues to grow and develop since he burst onto the scene at the World Cup in 2010. The experienced Schweinsteiger will continue to be the cool head in midfield and keep everyone else in line.
Thomas Muller may have left his scoring boots in South Africa but his crosses have been greatly appreciated by big Mario Gomez up front for Germany. The Danish fullbacks like to attack so Muller may be required to help out more in defence today than against Portugal and Holland previously, but this may also offer him the opportunity to attack on the counter, where his impact can be truly devastating.
I've already mentioned him but Mario Gomez could certainly play a big part up front for Germany. He has already answered his critics who claimed his goal scoring record did not translate from his club game to the international stage. Dan Agger and Simon Kjaer will have their hands full keeping the big guy quiet.
Head to Head:
- Germany have won this fixture eight times, to Denmark's seven (not including results as West/East Germany)
- The last time they played, in August 2010, the final result was 2 - 2, Germany were winning 1 - 0 at half time
- Germany's biggest win in this fixture is 8 - 0, Denmark's is 6 - 3
- Denmark and Germany both average 52% of possession over their opening two fixtures at EURO 2012
Portugal vs Netherlands
Some dismal form from one of the pre-tournament favourites leaves them facing an early exit. Mark Van Bommel could be set to bow out of international football against Portugal. The Dutch Captain will likely also see his Father-In-Law step down from the manager's job if results don't go their way.
Arjen Robben appeared to be unhappy at the decision to substitute him against Germany, walking all the way round the pitch and passed his bench. He will likely face the Portuguese as the Dutch will need all the help they can get, although they will hope that he finally realises there is no I in team.
Wesley Sneijder has failed to set this tournament alight and the Netherlands have sorely missed his passing ability. If they are to get anything from tonights game he will need to be on song and pulling the strings for the Dutch.
Robin Van Persie may or may not be on his way out, according to what you read, at Arsenal, but his form at EURO 2012 will certainly not help his negotiating position. Chances you would expect him to take in an Arsenal shirt have flown wide or straight into the keepers welcoming arms, but the Dutch will hope his goal against Germany will get him firing on all cylinders tonight. Van Persie seemed to improve with the introduction of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Bert van Marwijk will have a decision to make on whether he starts.
Portugal have played in a very England-esque way over their first two games. They sit deep and invite the opponent onto them before trying to hit them on the counter. Against a Dutch side desparate to regain some pride, and with an outside chance of qualifying, this could be their undoing.
Pepe scored the crucial opener for Portugal in their last game, and the defender seems to be finding his Real Madrid form. He will have a task keeping Van Persie and possibly Huntelaar out but he does have the ability to pull it off.
Upfront a lot will rely on Cristiano Ronaldo. So far the Portuguese superstar has failed to live up to his reputation and towards the end of Portugal's last match the pressure seemed to be getting to him. Portugal will need the midfild maestro to be at his dominating best if they are to have any hope today or going forward in the tournament.
Head to Head:
- Portugal have won six of the teams previous meetings, Holland only one
- The last time Holland won this fixture, 1991
- Holland have never lost two EURO group games before
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