Russia and Germany all set for quarter finals

With the second round of Euro 2012 group games coming to an end, all eyes will be turning to the final set of matches and what eight teams will progress to the quarter finals.

Group A is still wide open with all four teams in with a chance of qualifying but it is Russia who are in pole position sitting on four points from there two games. Poland’s equaliser against the Russian’s kept the hosts’ chances of progression alive while Czech Republic took their tally to three points with a win over Greece. The Euro 2004 champions are still in with an outside chance of qualification but would need to beat Russia and hope other results go their way.

Group B, or the group of death as it is known has lived up to its billing and one of the pre-tournament favourites the Netherlands look like crashing out of the tournament at this early stage. Two defeats in two games means they need to rely on other results, and beat Portugal by at least two goals to progress. Portugal’s late winner against Denmark put them in pole position to go through with Germany and Denmark will have to get something from their match with the Germans to stand any chance of making the last eight.

These two groups meet in the quarter-finals and as we stand it looks like Russia will win Group A, meaning they meet Portugal in the last eight, while Germany will take on Czech Republic as long as they avoid defeat against hosts Poland.

The high intensity of these matches means their fitness levels are tested to the limit and players will be getting their fair share of hmb and the likes to ensure they are in tip-top condition for the run all the way to the final in two weeks’ time.

Group C and D are less clear having only played twice and with England, France, Spain, Italy, Ukraine and Croatia seemingly battling for the remaining four places it will be a nervy time for fans and players alike.