UEFA Euro 2012 Group B Guide: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal

With less than two months to go until Euro 2012 kicks off in Poland and Ukraine, here's your guide to Group B, which will see Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Portugal fighting it out for two spots in the quarterfinals.

Group B is arguably the toughest of the four and has unsurprisingly been dubbed Euro 2012's "group of death" (there's one in every tournament).

There will be plenty of stars on show, including Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal's Dutch striker Robin van Persie and Germany's bright young thing, Mario Gotze.

Here's everything you need to know to get started.

(If you missed last week's opening effort, here's your 'Guide to Group A')

Netherlands

FIFA World Ranking: 4th

Coach

Bert van Marwijk took over the Dutch team after Euro 2008, leading them through a successful World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign and then to a runners-up finish in South Africa—where they lost to Spain in the final.

Qualification

Netherlands suffered just one slip up in the group stages, losing 3-2 at home to Sweden in their final game (qualification was already secured). Van Marwijk's team scored an impressive 37 goals in 10 matches, though that was impacted considerably by 5-0 and 11-0 wins against minnows San Marino—the latter being the biggest victory in their history.

They also boasted the top scorer in qualification, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar helping himself to 12 goals.

Form

Patchy. After losing that game against Sweden, the Dutch have played three friendly matches—a 0-0 draw against Switzerland, 3-0 loss to Germany and, most recently, a 3-2 win over England at Wembley.

Star Player

While Huntelaar was the undoubted star of qualifying, it's hard to look beyond Robin van Persie after his hugely impressive campaign with Arsenal in the Premier League. Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben has also been in fine form, however, and was the key man in that recent victory against England.

Euro 2012 Fixtures

vs. Denmark (June 9th, Kharkiv)

vs. Germany (June 13th, Kharkiv)

vs. Portugal (June 17th, Kharkiv)

Overview

It's hard to know what to expect from the Dutch. They came through a relatively easy qualifying group and have been a little unpredictable in their friendly matches since.

That said, the experience gleaned from reaching the 2010 World Cup Final should hold them in good stead for having a good run at Euro 2012. The key to their progress from Group B is undoubtedly an opening victory against Denmark. Anything else and they'll struggle to make it through.

Whatever happens, expect their showdown with Portugal on June 17th to be vital to both team's fortunes.

Denmark

FIFA World Ranking: 9th

Coach

Morten Olsen has been in charge of the Danish national team since 2000, making him the longest-serving coach on duty at Euro 2012. In that time his biggest achievement has been reaching the second round of the 2002 World Cup. Denmark were knocked out at the group stage of the 2010 World Cup and didn't qualify for Euro 2008.

Qualifying

Denmark beat Portugal 2-1 at home in their final match to secure top spot in their qualifying group. Olsen's team achieved a 100 percent record at home, with their only defeat coming in a 3-1 loss away to Portugal. Also notable is the fact they conceded just six times in eight games.

Form

Denmark were beaten 2-0 by Russia last time out, with friendlies to come against Brazil and Australia before the real action starts at Euro 2012. Before that defeat, Olsen's team had won five in a row.

Star Player

Twenty-year-old Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen has been labelled "the new Michael Laudrup" and has a great chance to enhance his already blossoming reputation this summer. At the other end of his career is 33-year-old Dennis Rommedahl, who delivered three goals and five assists in qualifying. Nicklas Bendtner is also one to watch for the Danes.

Euro 2012 Fixtures

vs. Netherlands (June 9th, Kharkiv)

vs. Portugal (June 13th, Lviv)

vs. Germany (June 17th, Lviv)

Overview

Denmark won't be easily beaten, but it's hard to see how they can emerge from a group this tough.

Having said that, they've beaten Portugal recently and should enter that game with plenty of belief. It's an outside bet, but a win there, coupled with draws in their two other games, is surely their only hope. Most will be expecting them to finish bottom of this group however.

Germany

FIFA World Ranking: 2nd

Coach

Joachim Low was elevated from Jurgen Klinsmann's assistant to head coach for Euro 2008, where Germany finished runners-up to Spain. Low's exciting young side were denied again by Spain at World Cup 2010, losing 1-0 to the eventual winners in the semifinals.

Qualification

Germany were perfect. They won 10 of 10 games to top their group and scored 34 goals along the way.

Form

In their three friendlies since qualifying, Germany have drawn 3-3 with Ukraine, beaten Netherlands 3-0 and lost 2-1 last time out against France. That recent loss aside, it's hard to imagine how they could enter this summer's finals with greater momentum after their dominant qualifying campaign.

Star Player

Plenty to choose from here. Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil scored five and delivered seven assists in qualifying. The midfielder has been in fine form in La Liga this season and will arrive at Euro 2012 a more polished player than the one who made such an impression at the 2010 World Cup.

They'll be plenty of attention on Mario Gotze too, while Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez both found goals easy to come by in qualifying.

Euro 2012 Fixtures

vs. Portugal (June 9th, Lviv)

vs. Netherlands (June 13th, Kharkiv)

vs. Denmark (June 17th, Lviv)

Overview

Many have Germany as favorites to win the tournament and it's not surprising when you consider their qualifying campaign and the fact they're two years on from an impressive run at World Cup 2010.

It won't be easy for them, but even taking draws against Portugal and Netherlands should be enough to set up a closing victory against Denmark and book their place in the quarterfinals. It would be a big upset for them to miss out at the group stages.

Portugal

FIFA World Ranking: 5th

Coach

Paulo Bento took over the Portugal team in 2010, replacing Carlos Queiroz. The 42-year-old had previously coached Sporting, where he earned plaudits for achieving Portuguese Cup victories in 2007 and 2008.

Qualifying

Portugal got off to a shaky start, drawing 4-4 at home against Cyprus then losing 1-0 away in Norway. With Bento's appointment, Portugal steadied the ship by winning their next five, but defeat to Denmark in their final game meant a second-place finish and the playoffs. Portugal drew Bosnia & Herzegovina and advanced to Euro 2012 courtesy of a 6-2 aggregate victory.

Form

Following their two-legged playoff, Portugal headed to Poland for a friendly that finished 0-0. They have further friendlies coming up against Macedonia and Turkey.

Star Player

Cristiano Ronaldo is in the midst of yet another stellar season for Real Madrid, both domestically and in Europe. He scored seven times for Portugal in qualifying and also provided three assists. Manchester United's Nani has also been a key player for Bento's team, weighing in with five goals and four assists during qualification.

Euro 2012 Fixtures

vs. Germany (June 9th, Lviv)

vs. Denmark (June 13th, Lviv)

vs. Netherlands (June 17th, Kharkiv)

Overview

Portugal have no shortage of talent in their squad, which includes plenty of players well versed in Champions League competition and experienced at international level.

Form would suggest they face a battle with Netherlands to emerge from Group B in the runners-up spot behind Germany, with everything set up for a tantalizing showdown between the two nations on June 17th. In Ronaldo, they have a player capable of winning any game, however, so don't be surprised if they beat Germany first up.