Euro 2012: Hot Starters Whose Success Won't Last

While getting off to a hot start in group play is certainly promising, no country is safe.

Yet.

Group A is through two matches, but for the most part, countries still have two tough matches to get through. 

Let's take a look at what teams' hot starts won't propel them through to the quarterfinals. 

Croatia

The Croatians managed to knock off Ireland by a score of 3-1, but when you take a step back, it wasn't all that impressive of a victory.

Ireland looked terrible on the defensive end, and it's easy to score when Shay Given is heading the ball into the back of the net for you. Against a solid defense, Croatia arguably wouldn't have scored in any of their scoring situations against Ireland. 

Luka Modric leads a talented attack, but Croatia simply needs to be better. 

Throw in a porous defense that let Ireland get plenty of opportunities, and Croatia could be in a big trouble, especially when you consider they still have to play Spain and Italy, who drew in the first match. 

The Croatians will likely have to get a result against both of those squads, and that is going to be a tall task. 

Ukraine

Ukraine is in almost the exact same situation as Croatia. The hosts, led by by the ageless Andriy Shevchenko, upset Sweden and sit at the top of Group D. 

However, the toughest matches remain, as England and France (one point apiece) await on the schedule.

France has a slew of talented players and hasn't lost in, um, forever, and England is going to slow things down and make it tough for Ukraine.

Additionally, the Ukrainians have the unfortunate task of being the only team in the group to play Wayne Rooney after he serves his two-game suspension.

Ukraine is in first, and they have the advantage of playing at home, but they will need more than a few things to go their way. 

Denmark

If the Danes manage to play like they did against Netherlands, they will advance. 

But that's easier said than done when you consider they still have to play Germany and Portugal, two of the top teams in the world. Of course, Netherlands is a top team in the world, so Denmark probably doesn't care about that.

Still, this is arguably the worst team in the "Group of Death" and the Danes are going to need at least a tie in their next two matches to have a good chance of moving on.

Germany, however, is too talented, and Portugal is too desperate for a result. Denmark will suffer two losses in the next two matches and fail to advance. 

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