Euro 2012 Results: Early Favorites Who Have Lived Up to the Hype

Favorites are already emerging in the 2012 European Championship and some of the more hyped teams are already proving their worth, promising to make a deep run in the tournament.

The third day of matches was just as exciting as the first two, leaving clubs on either the right or wrong paths. It was a great measuring stick in regards to seeing where each country stands at this early point in the tourney.

Here are some of the clubs that are on the positive side of the tournament so far, living up to the hype they came in with.

Germany

Three things are certain in this life: death, taxes and a good German team.

Germany comes out of its first match having won a hard-fought battle with Portugal. The Portuguese are a talented and slightly underrated squad led by Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, despite that talent, Germany was able to thwart any solid chances Portugal had at putting the ball in the net and shut out their opponent. The German defense was simply brilliant in its win over Portugal.

Moving forward, Germany will have to score more goals in order to give itself a cushion in future matches. It can't possibly expect its defense to play as well as it did on Saturday, no matter how great the Germans might be.

But that doesn't erase the fact that Germany has already displayed dominance over a tough opponent and that will only help continue its hype as one of the teams to beat in this tournament.

Greece

After getting through qualifying unbeaten, Greece came into Euro 2012 with a few extra expectations on their shoulders.

After falling down 1-0 to Poland and being dominated in the first half, Greece fought back and displayed great toughness, which is one of traits that got the team into this tourney in the first place.

It wasn't a pretty beginning against one of the hosting countries, but fans of the Greek club can take solace in the fact that this squad didn't give in. Instead, it fought to the very end and even had a chance to win with a late penalty kick.

Granted, its play must improve if it wants to fully live up to expectations, but Greece showed some positive signs in a match that certainly wasn't its best. That will give great hope for the future of this club in the European Championship.

Russia

Russia had lofty expectations to start this tournament thanks to their coach Dick Advocaat, according to Ian Holyman of UEFA.com. Russia's coach believed this club could win the tournament before it began, and his club got off to a great start.

The Czech Republic squad didn't stand a chance against a more talented Russian club. After jumping out to a quick two-goal lead that displayed Russia's explosiveness, the Czechs tried to climb back into the match with a goal of their own in the second half.

However, Russia once again came storming back to pile on two more goals and make this match a rout, 4-1.

The Czech Republic club certainly won't be the toughest team Russia faces, but the fact that this club was able to handily top a team it was supposed to beat shows that Russia is not just an average squad.

Advocaat might be pumping his team up in this tourney and making it seem better than it is, but you certainly wouldn't know that after its first match. So far, Russia is as advertised by their coach.