Euro 2012 Schedule: Start Times, Live Stream and TV Info for Quaterfinals Action

The group stages at Euro 2012 were fascinating, but now, we will be moving into the real meat of the tournament.

Eight teams have secured their place in the quarterfinals, and with the win-or-go-home format of the knockout rounds, we are guaranteed some thrilling action in the coming weeks.

The quarterfinals begin Thursday with the surprising Czech Republic taking on Portugal. Following that will be Germany vs. Greece, Spain vs. France and England vs. Italy.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming quarterfinal action.

Czech Republic vs. Portugal

Date: Thursday, June 21

Start Time: 2:45 p.m. ET

TV Coverage: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Portugal Player to Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo

Czech Republic Player to Watch: Petr Cech

How They Got Here: The Portuguese survived the Group of Death thanks to their potent attack, led by fantastic midfielders Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo. After losing, 1-0, to Germany in their opening match, they beat Denmark in a thrilling 3-2 shootout, then sealed their fate with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands. 

The Czechs also rebounded from an opening match loss, as they were blasted, 4-1, by Russia on the first day of the tournament. However, they bounced back beautifully, defeating Greece, 2-1, and Poland, 1-0, to advance.

Prediction: Czech Republic 1 - Portugal 3

Germany vs. Greece

Date: Friday, June 22

Start Time: 2:45 p.m. ET

TV Coverage: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Germany Player to Watch: Mario Gomez

Greece Player to Watch: Dimitris Salpingidis

How They Got Here: Germany was the only team to win all three games in the group stage. Considering they were in the Group of Death, this is a remarkable feat. After starting the tournament with a 1-0 win over Portugal, they scored consecutive 2-1 victories against Holland and Denmark.

Meanwhile, the Greeks had to deal with plenty of adversity in their opening matches. A 10-man Greek side came back to earn a 1-1 draw against co-host Poland in the first match of the tournament. After that they lost, 2-1, to the Czechs, before finally beating Russia, 1-0.

Prediction: Germany 3 - Greece 1

Spain vs. France

Date: Saturday, June 23

Start Time: 2:45 p.m. ET

TV Coverage: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Player to Watch for Spain: Fernando Torres

Player to Watch for France: Karim Benzema

How They Got Here: After a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw against Italy, Spain opened the floodgates against the Irish. They scored four goals, two of which came from the boot of enigmatic striker Fernando Torres. They finished the group stage by coasting past Croatia, 1-0.

France started the tournament on a high note, drawing 1-1 versus England and beating co-host Ukraine, 2-0. Unfortunately, they flopped in their final game, losing, 2-0, to Sweden. They advanced thanks to England's victory over Ukraine in the last match of the group stages.

Prediction: Spain 2 - France 1

England vs. Italy

Date: Sunday, June 24

Start Time: 2: 45 p.m. ET

TV Coverage: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Player to Watch for England: Wayne Rooney

Player to Watch for Italy: Mario Balotelli

How They Got Here: Despite dealing with injuries and a suspension to Rooney, the English were nearly perfect in the group stages. They opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against France, then beat Sweden in an exciting 3-2 match before closing out group play with a 1-0 victory over Ukraine.

The Italians have been solid but unspectacular thus far, as they advanced to the quarterfinals with five points. They played Spain and Croatia to 1-1 draws before earning a 2-0 victory against a scrappy, yet untalented, Irish side.

Prediction: England 2 - Italy 1