Denmark plotting another German surprise

Twenty years after beating Germany to land the European title, Denmark hope to maintain the upper hand over their neighbours in competitive meetings in their final Group B game at Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine on Sunday (June 17). This match will start at 11.45 hours (PST). This will be the 26th international match between the two teams and third in European Cup finals.
Germany have won 14, lost eight and draw three in 25 previous matches against Denmark. They scored 51 and conceded 35 goals in these matches. All three clashes between Denmark and Germany in major tournaments have ended 2-0, with Denmark winning in the 1986 World Cup and Euro 1992 and Germany in Euro 1988.
Germany lead the way in the section having won both games so far, Mario Gomez scoring all their goals in victories against Portugal (1-0) and the Netherlands (2-1). Denmark are third having beaten the Netherlands 1-0 before a 3-2 defeat by Portugal. Germany will qualify as group winners if they draw, but will be knocked out if they lose to Denmark by any result other than a one-goal defeat in which Germany score at least two and Portugal beat the Netherlands. Denmark will progress with any win; a draw will only be good enough if Portugal lose. If Denmark lose they are out. Germany have won all of their last 13 competitive games – an all-time record in German history. Furthermore Germany are the only team to win all of their qualifying and tournament matches in EURO 2012 and have scored the first goal in each of these games.
The German team have won their first two matches at EURO finals for their fourth time. On the previous three occasions they managed this, they went on to lift the trophy. Nicklas Bendtner became the fifth Danish player after Arnesen, Larsen, B. Laudrup to score a brace at European Championship finals in his side’s last game against Portugal.
Mario Gomez netted three goals with his first five shots at EURO 2012 after failing to score with any of his five at Euro 2008. Netherlands take on Portugal in their final league match at Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv. This match will start at 11.45 hours (PST). This will be the 11th international match between the two teams and second in European Cup finals.
Portugal have won six, lost one and draw three match in 10 previous matches against Netherlands. They scored 12 and conceded five goals in these matches. Group B concludes with all four teams still in with a chance of qualifying. The Netherlands must win by a two-goal margin and hope Denmark lose to Germany in order to progress. Portugal will reach the quarter-finals with victory unless Denmark win by a one-goal margin other than 2-1 and 1-0. They will go through with a draw unless Denmark win. Portugal will also qualify if they lose by a one-goal margin and Denmark are beaten. Netherlands have only won one of their previous 10 internationals against Portugal; 1-0 in Rotterdam in a Euro 1992 qualification game.
Portugal have won both clashes with the Oranje in major tournaments, winning 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup and 2-1 in Euro 2004. The Dutch have failed to score in six of their 10 meetings with Portugal. The meeting between the sides at the 2006 World Cup holds the record for most red cards (four) shown in any game at World Cups or European Championships.
The Netherlands have lost their last three games in Euros and World Cups combined, scoring only one goal in the process. In 2008, the Dutch won all three games in the Euro group stages – now they fear losing all three.
EUROPEAN CUP FOOTBALL:
DENMARK V GERMANY:
HEAD TO HEAD:
INTERNATIONAL MATCHES:
Played: 25
Germany won: 14
Denmark won: 8
Drawn: 3
Goals for Germany : 51
Goals for Denmark: 35
EUROPEAN CUP MATCHES:
Played: 2
Germany won: 1
Denmark won: 1
Drawn: –
Goals for Germany : 2
Goals for Denmark: 2
PORTUGAL V NETHERLANDS:
HEAD TO HEAD:
INTERNATIONAL MATCHES:
Played: 10
Portugal won: 6
Netherlands won: 1
Drawn: 3
Goals for Portugal: 12
Goals for Netherlands: 5
EUROPEAN CUP MATCHES:
Played: 1
Portugal won: 1
Netherlands won: –
Drawn: –
Goals for Portugal: 2
Goals for Netherlands: 1