Euro 2012 Schedule: Matchups That Have Soccer Fans Drooling

Euro 2012 hasn't given us a ton of elite football, but some great games are on the horizon. With the first round of games out of the way, and teams off the "we just can't lose the opening match" mentality, it is time for squads to open things up.

With seven days of group play remaining, there is a lot still to be decided.

Here's a look at the best match ups left in Euro 2012.

Group A

Greece vs. Russia—June 16—2:45 PM ET

The Greeks are still alive despite their disheartening loss to Czech Republic. Goal differential could ultimately be the deciding factor in who advances and who goes home.

Poland and Czech Republic are playing at the same time so there is no loss of dramatic intrigue. 

Keep an eye on this one as the Greeks have been one of the ugliest, yet most polarizing squads in play.

Group B

Netherlands vs. Germany—June 13—2:45 PM ET

Everyone expected the Dutch and Germans to advance out of the "Group of Death," or that it would be Portugal who provides the upset to one of the powers. Instead, it was Denmark who dealt an early blow to Netherlands. Now their tournament lives are on the line against powerhouse Germany.

The Germans weren't nearly as good as they wanted to be against Portugal, and earned three points with the help of a finicky post, so they'll be out in force for this one.

Two of the best goal-scorers in the world, Mario Gomez and Robin van Persie, square off with the help of two of the best maestros, Mesuit Ozil and Wesley Sneijder, in this long-awaited match.

Group C

Italy vs. Croatia—June 14—12 PM ET

The Italians will have a crack at the woeful Irish in the finale, but they already played Spain to a draw. If they allow the Croatians, who defeated the Irish 3-1, to notch another win in their belt, they'll be all but guaranteeing them an advance to the knockout phase.

This game means everything to both teams and it will pit two of the better-looking squads in the first round of games against one another.

The Spain-Croatia group finale could be huge, or one of the advancing teams could already be settled. Thus, this match takes precedent.

Group D

Sweden vs. France -- June 19 -- 2:45 PM ET

A ton still needs to be decided in Group D—especially with Ukraine being the surprise winners over Sweden—but this is the last match of the group phase and should still have a major impact on who advances and who goes home.

Plus, unlike the England vs. Ukraine match taking place at the same time, both France and Sweden should be on the all out attack.

Date	Time (p.m. ET)	Team	vs.	Team	Group	Venue	TV Info/Results
June 8	12:00	Poland	vs.	Greece	Group A	National Stadium	1-1
June 8	2:45	Russia	vs.	Czech Republic	Group A	Stadion Miejski (Wroclaw)	4-1
June 9	12:00	Netherlands	vs.	Denmark	Group B	Metalist Stadium	0-1
June 9	2:45	Germany	vs.	Portugal	Group B	Arena Lviv	1-0
June 10	12:00	Spain	vs.	Italy	Group C	PGE Arena	1-1
June 10	2:45	Ireland	vs.	Croatia	Group C	Stadion Miejski (Poznan)	1-3
June 11	12:00	France	vs.	England	Group D	Donbass Arena	1-1
June 11	2:45	Ukraine	vs.	Sweden	Group D	Kiev Olympic Stadium	2-1
June 12	12:00	Greece	vs.	Czech Republic	Group A	Stadion Miejski (Wroclaw)	1-2
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