Euro 2012 Review: Group A, B and C reach conclusions

Group A, Group B and Group C have now all reached conclusions and we now know which teams from those three groups will be going through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

Group A saw 2004 winners Greece spring a surprise to beat and knockout dark horses Russia to second spot as Karagounis scored a late first half goal to send the Greeks through as they beat Russia 1-0 in their final group game. The other team to make it through from the group was Czech Republic. They were thought to be long shots to make it through after losing their first group game 4-1 to Russia but a well taken goal from Jiracek sent them through as they knocked co-hosts Poland out of the competition with a 1-0 win. 
Group B also sprang a surprise as Holland were beaten and knocked out by Portugal, who beat the Dutch 2-1, thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. That result meant that the Portuguese went through along with Germany who were victors over a good Denmark side as new Arsenal signing Lukas Podolski along with Lars Bender scored for the Germans to seal a 2-1 win. 

Group C didn't really throw up any shocks as both Spain and Italy, the teams expected to make it through from the group did. The final games finished Italy 2-0 Ireland thanks to goals from Cassano and Balotelli whilst Spain were far less convincing in their final group game but still managed to come away with victory as a single Jesus Navas goal meant the final score finished Croatia 0-1 Spain.

Euro 2012 Review: Day 6 and 7

Day 6 of the competition saw Denmark and Portugal play each other whilst the groups 'heavy weights' Holland came up against Germany.

The first match of the day saw a very tight encounter between Denmark and Portugal. Portugal were the team to dominate early as Pepe and Postiga gave them a 2 goal lead. However just before the break Nicklas Bendtner got the Danes back into the game. It was then with 10 minutes remaining that Denmark managed to grab a deserved equaliser as Bendtner grabbed his second of the game. That wasn't before Ronaldo had missed a glorious opportunity to put Portugal further ahead. However the game wasn't over yet Varela struck with 3 minutes remaining to win the game for the Portuguese. The final score finished Denmark 2-3 Portugal.

The second game of the day was between the two fancied teams to make the next round of the competition as Holland played Germany. It was Germany who came out on top though as the Dutch once again failed to take a host of their chances whilst their defence once again was not at its best. Germany were two goals up before the break as Mario Gomez took both of his chances. Despite Van Persie's sweetly right footed strike from outside the box in the second half, Holland were left on the brink of going out of the competition. The final score finished Holland 1-2 Germany.

Day 7 saw Spain turn it on for the first time in the competition as they beat the Republic of Ireland 4-0 thanks to goals from Torres(x2), Silva and Fabregas which meant Ireland were the first team to leave the competition. However the earlier game in the group was a much tighter affair as Italy drew with Croatia 1-1. Pirlo grabbed the Italians goal through a curling free-kick but 18 minutes from time Madzukic fired the ball home to rescue a point.

Robin Van Persie's goal for Holland wasn't enough as they lost to Germany

Euro 2012 Review: Day Three

Day three of the tournament saw World and European champions Spain play Italy, and the Republic of Ireland play Croatia in Group C.

The first game in group C was between the last two World Cup winners in Spain and Italy, in Gdansk. Spain looked a very strong side despite the missing Carlos Puyol and David Villa who miss the tournament through injury. Spain started with no strikers on the pitch which meant ex-Arsenal man, Cesc Fabregas lead the line. Fabregas was indeed the man to score Spain's goal after David Silva flicked the ball through to the Barcelona man to finish beyond Buffon with his left foot. However that wasn't before second half substitute Antonio Di Natale, who had come on for Mario Balotelli, finished brilliantly from just inside the box to give the Italians the lead. It was a very close match which showed off Spain's ability to pass and keep the ball whilst it also showed that Italy will be a match for anyone in the competition. The final score finished Spain 1-1 Italy. 

The second match of the day was between the Republic of Ireland and Croatia. Both sides fielded a mass group of players that play and have played in the Premier League, as players such as Given, Dunne and Doyle started for Ireland, whilst Modric and Jelavic started for Croatia. Ex-Arsenal man Eduardo Da Silva was on the bench for the Croats. Ireland didn't get off to the best of starts and were behind after just three minutes as Madzukic wrong footed Given to head the ball home. The Irish  were soon level though as McGeady's freekick was headed past Pletikosa by Sean St Ledger from close range. However goals either side of half time from Jelavic and then an own goal from Shay Given ensured that Croatia went top of Group C. The final score ended Republic of Ireland 1-3 Croatia.

St Ledger's goal wasn't enough as Ireland lost their opening group game