Group Of Death Nears Thrilling Conclusion

Four of Europe's biggest footballing nations meet again today, but for two of them it will be their last involvement at these championships. Portugal are the only side in Group B without a Euro title, although they have an array of footballing talent in their current squad. A win today against the Netherlands would seal qualification and eliminate their opponents. For the 1988 champions victory against Portugal, coupled with a Germany win over Denmark would see them progress despite losing their first two matches. All three-time winners Germany need is a point against their Scandinavian rivals, while a Danish win would see them go through. The only way the 2008 runners-up can be eliminated is if they lose to Denmark and Portugal beat the Netherlands. If this happens it would come down to goal difference in matches between these three teams. 

Germany have won a record three European Championships and reached a record six finals. Their last win was in England in 1996 when they beat the Czech Republic in the final, adding to previous wins in 1972 and 1980. As Europe's most successful team and in good recent form they are one of the favourites for this tournament. They have sealed two very good wins against Portugal and Holland so far with all three goals scored by striker Mario Gomez, underlying their status as one of the championships's biggest threats. However all their good work could be undone today with a shock defeat to Denmark, who have already sprung a surprise in beating 2010 World Cup runners-up The Netherlands. 

The Oranje were hoping to bring 'sexy' football and flair to this year's Championships and to evoke memories of Marco van Basten's famous strike that sealed Euro glory back in 1988. That year they beat West Germany to reach the final and the Soviet Union 2-0 in that famous encounter. This month they arrived in Ukraine with high hopes of repeating that success, ranked number four in the FIFA World rankings and with some of the world's most celebrated players. However they have struggled to find the goals required to win games and have looked shaky at the back. Despite this other results have worked in their favour and with nothing to lose they can go out tonight and really attack Portugal from the off in an attempt to save their campaign. Rafael van der Vaart could start as well as Eredivisie's top scorer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in an attempt to blow the Portuguese away. 

Although they are the only side in this group to have never won the European Championships, Portugal have one of the most feared sides in the world. Two-time World Player of the Year winner Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to set the tournament alight but everyone knows what he is capable of and could well be the man to make the difference when it matters most. Manchester United winger Nani always looks a threat and they have strength at the back in Pepe and Jose Bosingwa. After the dramatic 3-2 win over Denmark in their last game Portugal will be confident of qualification needing only a point providing Germany dispose of Denmark. 

However Denmark will have plenty to say about that. The shock 1992 winners are ranked at nine in the FIFA rankings and have a good squad that are always difficult to beat without lacking in quality. Striker Nicklas Bendtner scored twice as they came back from 2-0 down against Portugal and veteran winger Denis Rommedahl has always been capable of something out of the ordinary. Captain Daniel Agger is one of the world's top defenders and was immense in their opening 1-0 win over Holland. They will go all out to make life difficult for the Germans tonight as they need just a point to qualify if the Dutch beat Portugal. The Scandinavians should not be written off and could well go deep into the knock-out stages.

This evening should prove to be a footballing feast as all four teams hold realistic hopes of claiming a quarter-final spot. Last night's action could be tough to follow but this group's conclusion is sure to be a great spectacle with plenty of the world's best players going head-to-head. 

European Superpowers Set to Clash Once More

When the Netherlands were hit by Blitzkrieg in May 1940 the Germans began an occupation of the country that would last for five years. Over 2,000 Dutch soldiers and 2,000 civilians lost their lives in the Battle of the Netherlands and a further 110,000 Dutch Jews died in the five years that followed, including Anne Frank. For the next 34 years many Dutch people held an unrivalled hatred against Germany. 

In the summer of 1974 Holland were poised for revenge as their multi-talented 'total-footballing' side took the lead against West Germany in the World Cup final before their rivals had even touched the ball. Surprisingly the Germans came from behind to win 2-1 with a winner from star striker Gerd Muller. The Dutch people were distraught and the game became known as 'the mother of all defeats'. Dutch midfielder Wim van Hanegem illustrated his country's hatred for the Germans after the match: 

"I didn't give a damn about the score. 1–0 was enough, as long as we could humiliate them. I hate them. They murdered my family. My father, my sister, two of my brothers."

Van Hanegem left the field that day in tears.

However in 1988 came Dutch football's greatest hour. In the German's back garden they met in one of football's most titanic clashes with a place in the European Championship final up for grabs. After scoring a penalty each and the match heading for extra-time Marco van Basten slid in to score a dramatic 88th minute winner. That night 9 million Dutch people celebrated on the streets. They chanted 'In 1940 they came! In 1988 we came!'. Dutch defender Ronald Koeman pretended to wipe his backside with Olaf Thon's shirt and the Dutch peoples' joy was unconfined.

Goalkeeper Hans van Breukelen displayed these emotions: "I had been waiting for that moment for fourteen years. Before the game I remembered my feelings watching TV as a teenager, and that boosted up my anger. I am happy to have been able to give this gift to the older generation, the ones that lived through the War."

In World Cup 1990 they met again and this time there was conflict on the pitch. After being booked for a tackle on Rudi Voller Frank Rijkaard spat in his opponent's hair. The Dutch players then felt that Voller dived in an attempt to win a penalty and Rijkaard proceeded to twist Voller's ear and stamp on his foot. Both players were sent off and as they left the field the Dutch midfielder spat in the German's hair again. This earned him the nickname 'llama' in Germany. West Germany went on to win the match and their third World Cup.

In Euro 2004 the Dutch met their greatest foe once more with German manager Rudi Voller seeking revenge for the incident from 14 years before. He didn't get it though as a late Ruud van Nistelrooy equaliser condemned Germany to a second successive Euro group-stage exit. 

This evening they meet again. Tournament favourites Germany are on a high after their opening 1-0 win over Portugal; Holland in desperate need of a result following a shock defeat by the same scoreline to Denmark. The hatred that used to surround these matches has faded into the distant past and now the games are more focused on the football. Despite this Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder says that he 'has always dreamt of scoring the winning goal against the Germans'. 

Two sides are primed for battle and nothing but a win will do.