Euro 2012 Scores: Most Surprising Showings in Exciting Group Stage

Saturday night in Warsaw, Poland proved to be a dream come true for the Greeks, who surpassed Denmark with the most surprising showing to date in what has been truly an exciting Group Stage this summer at Euro 2012.

Greece entered their Group A finale against favorite Russia with just one point through two matches, but somehow held on to a 1-0 lead long enough to hear the whistle sound, advancing them to the quarterfinals of Euro 2012, eliminating the Russians and host nation Poland.

Greece is not alone, however, as it is just one of the major surprises from Euro 2012's exciting Group Stage.

Greece

The Greeks were seen by many as the second-best team in Group A coming into Euro 2012, but few believed that the 2004 European champions were better than Russia, who were projected to win the group and advance to the knockout stages by most experts.

After six matches in Group A, Russia is going home early despite earning three points with a 3-1 drubbing of the Czech Republic in their group opener. Meanwhile Greece, who had just one point in Group A heading into their finale with the Russians, will advance to face the winner of Group B in the knockout stages after proving one goal better than Russia. 

It's not so much that Greece did it, but how it did it this time around. The Greeks looked to be dead in the water after a loss to the Czechs last week. But that's why they play the games. Suddenly momentum is back on Greece's side, and the memories of 2004 in Portugal don't seem so far away. 

Netherlands

The Dutch have been by far the most disappointing squad at Euro 2012 this summer, and surprising for all the wrong reasons after losing their first two matches and scoring just one goal total in the process.

Group B was dubbed the "Group of Death" before the tournament began, and it has proved just that through four matches. Everything in Group B is still on the line heading into Sunday when Germany and Denmark square off in Ukraine, as well as Portugal and Netherlands.

The Netherlands will need help from Germany and some of its own strikers, though, if it is to advance to the quarterfinals. The Dutch need a German win and an impressive win of their own to ensure that their Euro 2012 run doesn't end in the Group Stage.

Robin van Persie has been the only player to step up for the Dutch so far, scoring the squad's only goal against Germany in a 2-1 defeat. Van Persie will need to be on top of his game against Portugal, who will be motivated to silence the international critics as well. 

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more take on Euro 2012.