Germany take on Denmark in their final Euro 2012 Group B match on Sunday sitting pretty at the top of the table. But, due to the nature of the standings, defeat could still see them crash out of the competition and they will be looking for at least a point to guarantee qualification to the quarter-finals (Denmark 5/1, Germany 7/10. draw 5/2 Match Prices).
The Germans came into the competition with high hopes of going all the way and they have not disappointed to date, with two typically efficient performances to take maximum points.
But they need to finish the job on Sunday as a sequence of results, however unlikely, could end their participation in the summer’s showpiece event.
Defeat to the Danes, coupled with a 2-0 victory for Portugal over Holland would see Joachim Low’s side on the plane home, with thee teams on six points but with the Germans third on goal difference (Denmark 5/2 To Qualify).
While a Portuguese victory is by no means out of the question, Germany are strong favourites to beat Denmark and have already made it clear they will not just play for a point as their result will have a huge bearing on the other teams in the group.
Indeed Netherlands defender John Heitinga has revealed that some of Germany’s players have promised to help the Oranje by beating Denmark, as a 2-0 victory by the Netherlands over the Portuguese, coupled with a German triumph, would see the bottom nation rise to second and, remarkably, take their place in the quarter-finals.
It looks set to be a fascinating and dramatic finale to Group B this weekend with several twists and turns along the way but the one constant is that the Germans will go out and put on a professional display.
Mario Gomez’s brace proved decisive against the Dutch and Low would have loved to rest the Bayern Munich man for the final group encounter had Germany already secured their passage into the last eight but he will probably get the nod up front in a relatively unchanged starting XI.
A couple of early goals would settle the nerves and mean that the coach could rest some of his stars towards the latter stages of the match and it would surprise nobody to see the 1996 winners secure a comfortable win.
The worry for the Germans is if Denmark manage to score first as victory for Morten Olsen’s men will see them through to the last eight.
It is likely they will then park the proverbial bus to try and hang on to what they have and frustrate their illustrious opponents.
The Danes have punched about their weight in Euro 2012 to date and somehow managed to beat Holland despite conceding the majority of the possession.
They were the beneficiaries of some woeful Holland finishing but defeat to Portugal brought them back down to earth.
They are a solid side with few stars but Nicklas Bendtner’s brace almost gave them a point that would have put them in a much stronger position as regards qualification.
But having to rely on the 24-year-old for goals is never a good thing as he has hardly been prolific in his club career to date and chances will be few and far between against Sunday’s opponents.
The Danes are likely to have to score twice to win the match and it is open to question if they have it in them to do that.
Their defence was found wanting against Portugal with both full-backs given the run-around and they will need to tighten up this weekend otherwise it could be their final match this summer.
Despite the possible permutations for the final group standings, it is Germany who hold all the aces and it is almost unthinkable that they will not get the required result to continue their march towards the final.
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