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 Two

Day 2 of the Euros wasn't as exciting as day one despite the teams that were playing but we witnessed a big upset as Holland really under performed, whilst Germany and Portugal never really got going in their match.

The first game of the day saw Holland come against Denmark. The outcome was a major shock as Nicklas Bendtner's Denmark beat a much fancied Holland side through a well taken goal from Michael Krohn-Deli. Holland, bolstered by such in form players as Robin Van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar failed to take any of their 29 chances on the Denmark goal, of which only 6 were on target. All those chances would indicate that the Danes were very poor at the back. However that was not the case as Kjaer and Agger were a formidable force at the back, compare that to the Dutch who were very poor defensively. It was an extremely disappointing performance from the Netherlands with all their attacking quality, unfortunately couldn't equal that at the back. Denmark though, do have their defensive efforts to thank as the final score finished Holland 0-1 Denmark.

The second game of the day, and the second game in the supposed 'Group of Death' saw pre-tournament favourites Germany play Portugal. It was the first time for Arsenal fans to see Podolski in action since his proposed move to Arsenal, meanwhile other Arsenal player, Per Mertesacker was on the bench. Both sides failed to really get going and it took a fine header from Mario Gomez, moments before he was about to be taken off, to seal the game for the Germans. Portugal almost looked like coming away with a point as Varela had a great chance near the end but Manuel Neuer made a great stop to keep him at bay. Arguably the best player in the competition, Cristiano Ronaldo didn't have the greatest of games and will look to improve when Portugal next play. The final score ended Germany 1-1 Portugal in a far from convincing days play of football from some of Europe's big teams.

Robin Van Persie had several chances to score in Hollands game against Denmark