Great Dane Football Blog will the next four Tuesdays go through the EURO 2012 groups and the squads. Today we take a look at Group B, where Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and the Portugal will meet.











Group B
Netherlands
Germany
Denmark
Portugal

The four teams will be listed after the position Great Dane Football Blog believes the teams will have after the group matches.

1.    Netherlands

FIFA World Ranking: 4

Van Marwijk has so far announced a 27-man squad preliminary squad for the EURO 2012. The squad contains some high quality names as Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart, the top scorer in the German 1. Bundesliga Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and of course Robin van Persie. The expectations to the team are high, and we can only expect the best from with a squad full of profiles from the European leagues.

Netherlands won nine of their ten games in the qualifications, including a 4-1 win against Sweden. There is no doubt that the Oranje is to be seen as one of the favorites for the EURO 2012 trophy, and with Germany as the hardest opponent in the group, they should end as the number one.

The profile

Robin van Persie has had a remarkable season for Arsenal and has been the team’s best player. Van Persie is expected to deliver the same play in the EURO and will be one of this tournaments leading players.

 
Keep an eye on

The eight-teen year old midfielder Adam Maher has had his breakthrough in AZ Alkmaar this season and has deserved to be selected for the EURO squad. The talent was voted as Holland’s young player of the year and is on the shortlist on several European top clubs. 





2.    Germany

FIFA World Ranking: 2

Like Van Marjwik, Joachim Löw has announced a 27-man preliminary squad, and like the Netherlands’ it is full of profiles. Most of the players are playing in Bayern Munich, including Philip Lahm, Toni Kroos and Mario Gomez. The squad also contains the new Arsenal player Lukas Podolski and Thomas Mertesacker. Like the Netherlands, Germany is favorites in this group and pressure is on for the team to succeed.

Germany went through the qualifications unbeaten and a scorer of +27. This doesn’t lower the expectations to the Germans, and we should see some attacking football from their side.

The Profile

Lazio attacker Miroslav Klose has a thing for the International tournaments and is usually found listed high on the top scorer list. He has had a great season and will be one of the players taking responsibility in Germany's campaign for gold.



Keep an eye on

Sven Bender has won the German championship with Dortmund, for the second time, and is one of the young Germans European clubs should keep an eye on. Bender is a strong defensive midfielder and can turn out to be an important player for the Germans.








3.    Portugal

FIFA World Ranking: 5

Paulo Bento’s Portugal squad contains some of the best players in Spanish and English football. However, there is a lack of depth in the squad. Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul Meireles and Pepe will be star players in the squad, which have no real world-class attacker.

Portugal had to go through the Play-off after ending number two in the qualification group. Three points behind Denmark. This is also the reason why I don’t see Portugal as a top team in this group.

The profile

There is only one player on the Portugal team, and that is Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugals success depends on Ronaldo, and if he has a bad EURO, Portugal will have a bad EURO. The Real Madrid player has scored 46 goals in this season, and we can expect a couple from him during this competition.

Keep an eye on

Nélson Oliveira is one of the future hopes for Portugal. The Benfica attacker has the potential to go far and is rumor say the Manchester United is tracking him. EURO 2012 will be a fantastic opportunity for the twenty-year old to show what he is capable of.







4.    Denmark

FIFA World Ranking: 10

No one was surprised when Morten Olsen announced his squad last week, as he has played the safe cards. Thomas Sørensen, Daniel Agger, Christian Eriksen and Nicklas Bendtner shall try and bring some European glory to Denmark. Denmark lacks from  star players and will hope of a Bendtner in top form.

The Scandinavians won the qualification group over Portugal, and they might surprise in the EURO 2012. However, when comparing the squad with the rest of the group Denmark is clearly the underdogs. If they are to beat any of the other team, it is most likely to be Portugal.

The profile

Daniel Agger will command the defense for Denmark. His performances will be crucial for Denmarks success, as he seems to be the player with most star potential. The Liverpool player has suffered from injuries during the season, but now seems to be back as we know him.

Keep an eye on

Christian Eriksen has had an outstanding season for Ajax Amsterdam and is on the shortlist in both Manchester clubs as well as he has been rumored to Barcelona. The young offensive midfielder has been compared to Denmark legend Michael Laudrup, and will have to show that there is something about it, at the competition.