Euro 2012: Sleeper Teams That Will Sneak into Quarterfinals

The most anticipated worldwide sports event of the year is set to begin, but the 2012 European Championship will be anything but predictable.

It is easy to look at the groups and expect the best teams to advance. However, every tournament features squads pulling the upset and going further than anyone could have anticipated.

Here are a few teams to watch out for as the group stage begins.

Portugal, Group B

There is too much talent to consider this team an underdog, but in the "group of death" with Germany and the Netherlands, it will take an impressive run to advance.

Portugal has reached at least the quarterfinals in each of the last four European Championships so they have the experience necessary to win, but so does their opponents. 

What the opponents do not have is Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the two best players in the world. The superstar can win games almost by himself, but the captain needs to be a leader throughout the tournament.

Croatia, Group C

Behind team leader Darijo Srna, Croatia was able to reach the quarterfinal stage of Euro 2008 for only the second time in the nation's history.

Although the team has not been playing as well lately, it would not be out of the question to do it again.

Spain is obviously a scary team within the group, but Ireland is beatable. This leaves a fight between them and Italy for the final spot in the quarterfinals.

Italy has the history, but they have not fared well on the national stage since winning the World Cup in 2006. The have a solid defense, but not too many scorers. Croatia could steal a win and surprise the former powerhouse.

Poland, Group A

This country was a long shot to be the host country alongside the Ukraine, and it is an even bigger long shot for its team to advance.

None of that matters to the young team. This squad has not had much success, but they are playing in a relatively easy group and have the advantage of playing in front of its home fans. These people are starved for success and want nothing more than to pull off an upset or two.

Every team in the group can falter, as none of Russia, Czech Republic or Greece are part of soccer's elite. If there is a Cinderella story for this event, Poland will be wearing the glass slipper.