Euro 2012 Schedule: Teams That Must End Group Play with Win

Group play is almost over at the 2012 European Championships, but the work is just getting started for the following teams. 

These teams all enter this final group play game with their shot at advancing hanging in the balance. A victory might not guarantee that the team advances, but at least they will have the fact that they performed when they needed to in a major competition to build up their confidence. 

Netherlands

Vs.: Portugal

The Netherlands has been terrible in this championship. Now the world's No. 4 team is a long shot at advancing. They don't have to just win, but win big, and hope that Germany takes down Denmark. 

Still, even if they don't win by three goals or Denmark wins, it is still important that Netherlands wins. This team has to get on track. 

They have been on a great run, but it could all come tumbling down if they don't put together some better efforts—starting with this clash against Portugal. 

Netherlands is perfectly capable of winning this match; they just have to play like they are perfectly capable of playing. 

England

Vs.: Ukraine 

England is on the verge of advancing. It's pretty simple for them: Win and they are in. They don't have to win to advance, but they can't allow themselves to think of those possibilities. This team must win. 

England has been a disappointing disaster in recent major tournaments. They entered this one with injury concerns and tepid expectations. However, this appears to be the dawn of a new era for them. 

They have been playing as a team, and the early results are promising. They are now set to get Wayne Rooney back, and they can't let their momentum slip. They must come out strong and put Ukraine away. 

Italy

Vs.: Ireland

Italy is in third place, but they are in excellent shape. The two teams in front of them, Spain and Croatia, play each other while Spain is taking on Ireland. 

Spain and Croatia are tied. They both drew with Italy and beat Ireland. This leaves Italy two points behind them. If Italy wins, they will almost certainly advance—unless Spain and Croatia draw and Italy winds up on the wrong side of tiebreakers. 

Above and beyond that, though, is the fact that Italy should win. They have been playing solid football and Ireland has not. Italy's good run will all be for naught if they don't win this one.