Euro 2012 Schedule: Clashes That Will Help Decide Championship

With Group B action getting underway at Euro 2012 on Thursday, the matches that will help decide the European championship will finally commence.

Group B is loaded with top teams such as Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands. On Sunday, Group C will feature Italy and Spain looking to return to European glory.

There are several upcoming matches over the next few days that will give football fans a strong idea of who is championship caliber and who is not.

Let's look at three upcoming clashes that will help decide the European championship.

Germany vs. Portugal

Saturday, June 9 at 2:45 p.m. ET on ESPN2

This is a statement match for both teams, but the outcome will tell us a lot about how good Portugal is and what their chances of making a deep run at Euro 2012 are.

We know that Portugal can score goals with talented attacking players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Juan Moutinho and Nani, but can they defend well enough to beat elite squads like Germany?

That remains to be seen, but since many people consider Germany to be the favorites at this tournament, there could be no better test for Portugal than the Germans to open the group stage.

Both teams will look to prove their worth in this match, especially Germany. They will want to show the continent that they are the team to beat in Poland and Ukraine.

Italy vs. Spain

Sunday, June 10 at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Italy is an interesting team at Euro 2012 because they are flying a bit under the radar, yet they have enough talent to win this tournament.

The attacking play of the Italian side is their biggest question make ahead of Euro 2012, but can their forwards score enough goals to defeat the best teams like Spain?

That will be the biggest question going into the group stage for an Italian team with high hopes despite their recent struggles in major international competitions.

For Spain, they don't have to win their first matchup against Italy to qualify for the knockout stage, but it would make that task far easier.

The Spanish won't be fazed by an early tournament loss. Spain became the first team ever to win the World Cup after losing their first group stage match in 2010.

England vs. France

Monday, June 11 at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

France will be a surprise contender to win their first European championship since 2000 because of their remarkable success since South Africa in 2010.

The French would receive the confidence boost needed to make a deep run in the tournament by defeating England to open Group D play.

England has been hurt with injuries to key players in the weeks leading up to Euro 2012, but they have enough talent to beat France and qualify for the knockout stage.

A victory against France would help the Three Lions relax because, like usual, they are under enormous pressure to win a major international trophy.

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