Euro 2012 Predictions: Projecting Advancing Countries for Each Group

Euro 2012 features seven of FIFA's 10 best teams as well as nine other deserving nations. All of them earned the right to play in this competition and a number of them are legitimate contenders to win the entire thing.

The UEFA European Championship is no stranger to underdog winners, either. Greece surprisingly took the tournament in 2004, while Denmark won in 1992.

Spain, Germany and the Netherlands are hands down the top contenders, but it could be any one of the 16 teams in the tournament that hoists the trophy on July 1. 

Group A (Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece)

Winner: Russia

Runner-Up: Greece

The opening match between Poland and Greece will be the most important of this group. The Russians should be able to win at least two of their three group matches, but the Poles and Greeks aren't guaranteed anything.

The Czech Republic aren't completely forgotten, as this group is the most wide open of any in the tournament, but the Greek defense and Polish attack are more likely to make something happen than what they bring to the pitch.

A draw in the opener would force the Greeks and Poles to fight for a win in their remaining two games, while a loss would be devastating.

Greece went undefeated in qualifying, though, and sports a stifling D. They get the nod over the host country's young squad.

Group B (Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark)

Winner: Germany

Runner-Up: Netherlands

The Germans should walk through this group—even against Portugal—but will have their hands full with the Netherlands.

The two European powerhouses are favorites to meet again in the final and have better all around teams than what the Portuguese offer. Denmark, unfortunately, is an afterthought here.

Cristiano Ronaldo is good enough to change a game on a single kick, but the Germans and Dutch have simply too many weapons at their disposal.

Group C (Spain, Italy, Croatia, Ireland)

Winner: Spain

Runner-Up: Ireland

Spain easily dispatches every team in this group, but the No. 2 spot is wide open.

Italy is surrounded by controversy at the moment, and they've been dropping off steadily since their 2006 World Cup triumph. Croatia is dangerous, but is far from consistent and is capable of being caught by surprise.

The Irish, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing to lose as this is their first international competition in 10 years. They're not only happy to be here, but they're still livid after the World Cup qualifying hand ball incident and they have a captain who is known for timely goals.

In arguably the biggest surprise of the tournament, Ireland will sneak into the knockout phase with a win over Croatia and a draw against Italy.

Group D (France, England, Sweden, Ukraine)

Winner: England

Runner-Up: France

Sweden and Ukraine could certainly make noise, but this group is all about redemption for the English and French.

The Three Lions have a new boss, a fairly solid mix of veteran leadership and youthful talent, and have a wild card up their sleeve in Wayne Rooney when he returns from his two-match ban.

England has struggled mightily in international competition over the years, but they'll finally make it look easy on their way out of Group D.

France, meanwhile, has a new-look squad and a ton of youthful talent. Look for them to make noise in the knockout phase.

Date	Time (p.m. ET)	Team	vs.	Team	Group	Venue	TV Info
June 8	12:00	Poland	vs.	Greece	Group A	National Stadium	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 8	2:45	Russia	vs.	Czech Republic	Group A	Stadion Miejski (Wroclaw)	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 9	12:00	Netherlands	vs.	Denmark	Group B	Metalist Stadium	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 9	2:45	Germany	vs.	Portugal	Group B	Arena Lviv	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 10	12:00	Spain	vs.	Italy	Group C	PGE Arena	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 10	2:45	Ireland	vs.	Croatia	Group C	Stadion Miejski (Poznan)	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 11	12:00	France	vs.	England	Group D	Donbass Arena	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 11	2:45	Ukraine	vs.	Sweden	Group D	Kiev Olympic Stadium	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 12	12:00	Greece	vs.	Czech Republic	Group A	Stadion Miejski (Wroclaw)	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 12	2:45	Poland	vs.	Russia	Group A	National Stadium	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 13	12:00	Denmark	vs.	Portugal	Group B	Arena Lviv	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 13	2:45	Netherlands	vs.	Germany	Group B	Metalist Stadium	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 14	12:00	Italy	vs.	Croatia	Group C	Stadion Miejski (Poznan)	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 14	2:45	Spain	vs.	Ireland	Group C	PGE Arena	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 15	12:00	Ukraine	vs.	France	Group D	Donbass Arena	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US), IInternational Coverage
June 15	2:45	Sweden	vs.	England	Group D	Kiev Olympic Stadium	ESPN (US), ESPN Deportes (US) ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 16	2:45	Czech Republic	vs.	Poland	Group A	Stadion Miejski (Wroclaw)	ESPN2 (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 16	2:45	Greece	vs.	Russia	Group A	National Stadium	ESPN (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 17	2:45	Portugal	vs.	Netherlands	Group B	Metalist Stadium	ESPN (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 17	2:45	Denmark	vs.	Germany	Group B	Arena Lviv	ESPN2 (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 18	2:45	Croatia	vs.	Spain	Group C	PGE Arena	ESPN (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 18	2:45	Italy	vs.	Ireland	Group C	Stadion Miejski (Poznan)	ESPN2 (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 19	2:45	England	vs.	Ukraine	Group D	Donbass Arena	ESPN (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage
June 19	2:45	Sweden	vs.	France	Group D	Kiev Olympic Stadium	ESPN2 (US), ESPN3 (US),International Coverage