Euro 2012 Schedule: Top Can't-Miss Matches of Group Stage

This year's "Group of Death" at Euro 2012 is one for the ages. The Netherlands and Germany, two perennial powers, are arguably the favorites to meet in the final of this year's competition.

Also battling with them in the group stage are Portugal, which happen to feature one of the top scorers in the entire world in Cristiano Ronaldo. It doesn't hurt that they sport Manchester United playmaker Nani, either. Denmark are the fourth team involved, but they'll be hard-pressed to land a draw, let alone a win.

Group B isn't the only stage worth getting excited about, though, not with the likes of Spain, France, England and Italy involved.

Here's a look at the top can't-miss matches in each group.

Group A: Greece vs. Russia (June 16—2:45 p.m. ET)

Poland are the host country, but Russia are far and away the best team in the group, and Greece actually won this tournament eight years ago.

These two countries will likely meet with the top spot on the line in mid-June, but it could also be the difference between one of them advancing at all (mostly likely Greece).

The Greeks are a defensive-minded team that are fortunate to score goals at all. If their backs are against the wall, they'll have to come out of that shell, and it will be one heck of an exciting match to watch.

Group B: Portugal vs. Netherlands (June 17—2:45 p.m. ET)

Germany are the No. 2 team in the world and have some of their best players playing fantastic football right now. They should be at the top of this group, and a number of their players are still bitter after the loss to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.

So with that in mind, the Portuguese and Dutch are expected to battle for the No. 2 spot and chance to advance to the knockout phase. As said earlier, Portugal feature arguably the best goal scorer in the world, and this game could turn simply on a free kick.

Netherlands are fortunate enough to have a dynamic scorer of their own in Robin van Persie, so we could have a shootout on our hands in what is likely to be an elimination game.

Group C: Spain vs. Italy (June 10—12:00 p.m. ET)

The Italians may have fallen off in recent years, but this is still a matchup of the last two World Cup winners with the No. 1 spot in the group likely on the line.

Spain just lost their top goal scorer in David Villa, so it will be interesting to see how they handle it. They have the best midfield in the entire world and will be able to find a way to compensate, but the Italians are going to make them work for it.

This is hands down the best match in Group C.

Group D: France vs. England (June 11—12:00 p.m. ET)

This match speaks for itself. Both the French and English have sorely underperformed in international competition in recent years and have undergone some huge changes.

This is a huge competition for both squads, and this match should decide the top spot in the group. And, if they falter in one of the other matches (which is completely possible with these two), it could be the difference between advancing or going home.

Date	Time (p.m. ET)	Team	v	Team	Group	Venue
June 8	12:00	Poland	v	Greece	Group A	National Stadium
June 8	2:45	Russia	v	Czech Republic	Group A	Stadion Miejski (Wroclaw)
June 9	12:00	Netherlands	v	Denmark	Group B	Metalist Stadium
June 9	2:45	Germany	v	Portugal	Group B	Arena Lviv
June 10	12:00	Spain	v	Italy	Group C	PGE Arena
June 10	2:45	Ireland	v	Croatia	Group C	Stadion Miejski (Poznan)
June 11	12:00	France	v	England	Group D	Donbass Arena
June 11	2:45	Ukraine	v	Sweden	Group D	Kiev Olympic Stadium
June 12	12:00	Greece	v	Czech Republic	Group A	Stadion Miejski (Wroclaw)
June 12	2:45	Poland	v	Russia	Group A	National Stadium
June 13	12:00	Denmark	v	Portugal	Group B	Arena Lviv
June 13	2:45	Netherlands	v	Germany	Group B	Metalist Stadium
June 14	12:00	Italy	v	Croatia	Group C	Stadion Miejski (Poznan)
June 14	2:45	Spain	v	Ireland	Group C	PGE Arena
June 15	12:00	Ukraine	v	France	Group D	Donbass Arena
June 15	2:45	Sweden	v	England	Group D	Kiev Olympic Stadium
June 16	2:45	Czech Republic	v	Poland	Group A	Stadion Miejski (Wroclaw)
June 16	2:45	Greece	v	Russia	Group A	National Stadium
June 17	2:45	Portugal	v	Netherlands	Group B	Metalist Stadium
June 17	2:45	Denmark	v	Germany	Group B	Arena Lviv
June 18	2:45	Croatia	v	Spain	Group C	PGE Arena
June 18	2:45	Italy	v	Ireland	Group C	Stadion Miejski (Poznan)
June 19	2:45	England	v	Ukraine	Group D	Donbass Arena
June 19	2:45	Sweden	v	France	Group D	Kiev Olympic Stadium