Euro 2012 Bracket: Teams in Desperate Need of a Win in Next Match

Teams are often at their best in times of desperation.

There are a handful of teams that hope that statement proves to be true in the 2012 European Championship.

If it doesn't, said teams will be at a seemingly insurmountable disadvantage to advance past the group stage of the tournament.

Here are three of those teams.

Netherlands

The Netherlands suffered what could end up being a debilitating loss to Denmark in their opening match.

If the Dutch don't find a way to notch three points against Germany, they aren't going to make it to the knockout round. A loss would give the Germans six points, meaning the Netherlands would have to rely on Portugal to beat Denmark in order for it to be mathematically possible that Bert van Marwijk's team advance.

Germany is the last team in the group that the Dutch needed to see right now. Joachim Loew's club is as confident as any in this tournament, and are coming off a 1-0 win over Portugal.

If Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder don't figure out how to finish in front of the goal, the Dutch might as well start packing their bags before their match against Portugal.

Spain

The World Cup champions seriously need a win against Ireland in their next match.

They're likely to get one, as the Irish can't match up with La Roja's superior speed and precision. However, if the Irish can come away with a draw, Spain is going to find itself in a must-win match against Croatia.

The Spanish side is desperate for a victory in a different way than the other two teams on this list. They won't be eliminated if they don't get a win, but they'll be in a bad situation.

Plenty of people have been saying that Spain isn't the dangerous team they were at the World Cup. If they want the teams down the road to fear a matchup against them, the Spanish need to pummel Ireland to make a statement.

Portugal

The Portuguese national team has disappointed in their last two major tournaments.

They lost to Germany in the first match of the knockout stage in the Euro 2008. Then lost in the Round of 16 to Spain in the 2010 World Cup. 

If they don't want to be involved in a third straight disappointment in a major tournament, they have to win the next match against Denmark. Not just because they need a win, but because it's Denmark. Sure, Denmark beat the Netherlands, but they are hardly the same football team that Portugal is.

They'll need Cristiano Ronaldo to be much better than he was against Germany if they want three points. He knows that his team needs a win gravely, so expect him to shoot down the notion that he won't be able to perform on the international level.

Here's a link to the entire 2012 European Championship bracket.