Euro 2012: The Netherlands and Portugal for a Place in the Quarter

Netherlands. Capital: Amsterdam. Population: 16.7 million. Area: 41,528 km2. Calendar: June 9 against Denmark (Kharkiv), 13 against Germany (Kharkiv) and 17 against Portugal (Kharkiv).

The Dutch have qualified for Euro 2012 by finishing in the top of their group ahead of Sweden, Hungary, Finland, Moldova and St. Maarten. 27 points to nine wins and one loss (37 goals, 8 against).

The Netherlands were beaten in the final of the 2010 World Cup by Spain (1-0 after extra time). And lost two other finals (1974 and 1978). They are in Poland with an obsession with revenge on Spain and repeat, at the same time, their performance of 1988 when they won the Euro band with Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten. They are also a legitimate part of the favorites, not only in group B, but also for the entire competition.

The core of the Dutch selection is practically the same as 2010, when this great team had lost to a great Spain.Frames of 2010 Dutch mature, the Euro. Including Robin van Persie (28 years), Arjen Robben (28 years), Wesley Sneijder (27 years).

Coach Bert van Marwijk has served since 2008. He has set a course of action and a clear style of play. A methodical style if not spectacular. Under his leadership, the Oranje have known only four defeats in 45 matches played! As many as 14 of its 23 selected evolve abroad: England, Italy, Germany and Spain. Can they overcome their trauma of 2010, and go home with the European title? Any other result would be considered a failure ...

Portugal, the revival?

Portugal. Capital: Lisbon. Population: 10.5 million inhabitants. Area: 92,000 km2. Calendar: Portugal faces Germany on June 9 in Lviv, then Denmark June 13, always in Lviv and the Netherlands on 17 in Kharkiv.

The Portuguese have qualified for Euro 2012 by finishing second in Group H, behind Denmark, but ahead of Norway, Iceland and Cyprus. With 16 points to 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses (21 goals scored and 12 conceded).

Portugal has won any European or global competition. He finished in 3rd place in the World 1966 and fourth in 2006. At the Euro, he was beaten in the finals by Greece in 2004. Since then, no great performance.

Portugal has become a powerful defensive midfielder in the person of Custodio (28 years), and a very good left-back, Miguel Lopez, 25. They represent both the revival of this selection to be a tough task in Group B, to get out of the group stage. Of course he can count on his captain and star striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

Coach Paulo Bento, 42, is the youngest coach of Euro 2012. He managed to win by saving, despite his relative inexperience, a qualifying campaign badly engagée.9 of 23 selected to move abroad, including England, Spain, Russia and Italy.

Group A (First part, Second part)

Group B (First part)