Euro 2012: 10 Must-Watch Group Stage Games

Will co-hosts Poland or Ukraine advance to the knockouts?  Can van Persie keep up his stellar goal-scoring display to take Holland to the top of Group B?  Can England recover from an injury crisis to advance and save national expectations in the process?

The knockout rounds of Euro 2012 is where a team wins it, but the team never gets that far without making a statement in the group stages.

Here are the ten most anticipated group stage games for Euro 2012.

Poland vs. Greece

Euro 2012 kicks off in Warsaw as Poland faces Greece. Opening ceremonies have already been promised to be quite the show with live music and hundreds of performers.

During the game, Poland's Lewandowski will be on show to ignite the co-host's fight for the knockout rounds while Papastathopoulos will anchor a staunch defense to combat any attempts on the Greek goal.

Don't expect a high goal count, but do expect a high intensity, hard-fought battle between two possible dark horse contenders.

Spain vs. Italy

In one of the marquee games of the group stages, Spain versus Italy will be viewed as a rematch of the Euro 2008 quarterfinal game.  Spain beat Italy on penalties that day.  Four years later will Italy have its revenge?  Or will Spain win its third successive tournament after Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 victories?

Spain's endless depth in a midfield anchored by Xavi promises some beautiful soccer.  But if Mario Balotelli makes an appearance, don't miss a second of the live action.  His rash actions may headline Italy's Euro campaign.

Holland vs. Denmark

In a reunion of World Cup 2010 Group E foes, Holland takes on Denmark in Kharkiv for the first game in Group B.

With van Persie peaking for club team Arsenal, can he maintain his form for his national allegiance?  Or will young Christian Eriksen explode onto the national scene by flying past an aging Dutch defense?

Germany vs. Portugal

Germany arrives as a much younger team than when it faced Portugal in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008.

During qualifying for Euro 2012, Die Mannschaft (the German squad) scored 34 goals and won all 10 games while Portugal only appear in Euro 2012 courtesy of a playoff win after Denmark topped their group.

Will Klose and company continue drowning opponents with goals or will Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo summon the spectacular nature of his style of play?

France vs. England

Plagued by injuries and Rooney's red card suspension, England's usual great expectations have considerably diminished.

Les Bleus and Real Madrid front man Karim Benzema lead an attacking force seeking to rekindle a Euro 2000 remake.

Will France dismantle England or will the latter produce a victory in a national rivalry a millennium old?

Poland vs. Russia

Poland take on Russia for (likely) first place in Group A.

Will Arsenal and Poland goalkeeper Szczesny be able to deny Russia or will youngster Dzagoev continue the goal-scoring where he left off at CSKA Moskow?

Each team will need to get victories while they can though, because their likely knockout round opponents are Holland and Germany.

Holland vs. Germany

Two heavyweights battle in what promises to be an offense-oriented affair.  While German teams of the past may have earned their reputation on defense, Lahm captains a young German side that has averaged over three goals a game in qualifying. 

Not to be outdone, van Persie and Holland bested Germany by an additional three goals in qualifying to total 37 in 10 games.

Defenders will have a horrible time as forwards and tricky wingers run rampant and provide viewers with a plethora of picturesque goals.

Spain vs. Italy

Spain and Italy match up for a contest between the current and former world champions.

Italian goalkeeper Buffon will have to maintain his focus throughout as Iniesta and Spain can change the pace of the game in a split second.

Watch this game to see the beautiful passes of Spain accompanied by the quick counter attack of Italy.

Sweden vs. England

The winner of this match will go through to the knockout stages.  Will Sweden stutter or will England's perennial national team hopes shatter again?

Ibrahimovic's stature is what stands out, but his delicate touch will also test Terry's battered back line.

France vs. Ukraine

France take on Ukraine on Friday, June 15 in what should be a straight-forward affair.

Will the French firepower kill off knockout round hopes for co-host Ukraine?  All signs point to yes.  

But with 50,000 fans in Donetsk rallying their support for Shevchenko and the rest of the national team, Ukraine may channel their own inner-Greece of Euro 2004.

Look for aggressive play by both teams and Ukraine will play through Tymoshchuk while Frenchman Ribery leads the assault on the flanks.  Expect goals a plenty.

Conclusion

Who will go on to win it all?  Who will be this Euro's Spain?  Spain, Germany, and Holland are the favorites but will a dark horse emerge to take the title a la Greece in Euro 2004?

It all starts in the group stages.

See all the action starting Friday, June 8.

Qualifying round results and statistics provided by WorldSoccer.com.

Match Schedule and Bracket by B/R found here.