Euro 2012 Standings: 3 Underdogs Who Need to Pull a Miracle Stunner

The group stage of Euro 2012 may be coming to an end, but we still find ourselves with a lot of soccer to be played, and a lot of seeding at stake.

On Saturday, we saw Group A—long thought to be the "boring group" in the field—come to a thrilling conclusion as the Czech Republic and Greece advanced on the strength of upset victories.

With four group games still to play, there are certainly prospective favorites and underdogs in the running. The odds aren't stacked in their favor, but that is why they play the games.

Here are four Euro underdogs who need to pull off a miracle in their next game.

Ukraine

Next Opponent: England (Group D)

Ukraine was the darling of the first round of group fixtures, but their position looks increasingly morbid following a 2-0 loss at the hands of France.

The good news? Ukraine holds its fate in their own hands. Unlike Italy in Group C, Ukraine doesn't need to win and get help––all they need to do is win their next game and they'll be through to the quarterfinals.

The bad news?

They're playing the English.

England has looked sublime through two games, toughing out an impressive draw against a good French side and then winning a 3-2 thriller over Sweden. Danny Welbeck has proved himself a good replacement for Wayne Rooney up top, but against Ukraine, the English will get their top scorer back for the first time this tournament (Rooney had been serving a two-game suspension).

The Ukraine will have home-field advantage, and an entire nation cheering them on in person, but they will need to play the best game of their collective lives if they want to send their fans home happy.

Greece

Next Opponent: Germany (Quarterfinals)

Group A was like Westeros in Game of Thrones. Four evenly-matched teams battled it out for control of the realm, each one believing itself to be the most deserving side to advance.

When two sides came out on top, they celebrated their achievement—we did it! We rule Group A!

However, with their victory in the past, they're about to get a rude awakening to the dangers that lurk "beyond the wall" in Group B. The Germans may not be as intimidating as an icy cavalcade of zombies, but they're the closest thing. They're overwhelming, relentless and they attack in waves of terror.

Greece was barely able to survive games against Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic, and now they find themselves against the world's No. 2 squad. Adding insult to injury, captain Giorgos Karagounis will be suspended for the match, having accumulated a second yellow card via a suspect diving call in the Russian's penalty box.

If the Greeks hope to repeat their shocker from 2004, it definitely won't be easy.

Czech Republic

Next Opponent: Portugal (Quarterfinals)

The safety and comfort of a lackluster Group A in their past, the Czechs, like the Greeks, now get a rude awakening to the skill of the rest of the field.

Portugal looked incredible in advancing from the Group of Death, particularly in mounting a systematic comeback to defeat World Cup runners-up Netherlands on Sunday.

The Portuguese attack has been in top form, creating opportunities at will, while some suspect finishing has kept their goal total from reflecting that.

Cristiano Ronaldo finally turned his international corner on Sunday, putting away two goals after sneaking through the Dutch defense and hitting the post on one of his other countless shots.

The Czechs snuck through group play despite a 4-1 defeat in their first game; a solid demonstration of their resolve. However, while grittiness might have been enough to get through their group, the Czechs will have to show a new level of skill and precision to upset the Portuguese.

And its a level of skill and precision that they don't really have.