Highs and Lows of Group B

The Group of Death did not disappoint on Wednesday.  Portugal started with a bang, taking a 2-0 lead after a 36th minute strike from Helder Postiga.  However, the Danes would fight back and level the score with Nicklas Bendtner's 41st and 80th minute goals.

It seemed as though Portugal would suffer a devastating blow to their Euro campaign, but substitute forward Silvestre Varela had other plans.  In the 87th minute, Varela whiffed on a great cross from Fabio Contrao, only to smash his second effort to the back of the net.

The late winner saves the blushes of the Portuguese side, and notably Cristiano Ronaldo, who was unable to bury a couple of one-on-one chances with the Danish keeper.

While Portugal celebrated the thrills of their Euro 2012 revival, things remained gloomy for the Netherlands.  The Germans did not have an ounce of sympathy for Holland's poor start to the European Championship.  They jumped on the Dutch with two outstanding first half goals from Mario Gomez.  Although Robin Van Persie was able to cut the lead to one in the 73rd minute, the Germans were able to hold on comfortably for their second win of the tournament.  Germany deserved the victory too, as they dominated almost the entire game and made Nigel De Jong, Mark Van Bommel, and the entire back four appear very weak again.

You would have to be very brave to have any hope in the Netherlands at this point.  Although, they are not eliminated from Euro 2012 as it stands.  The Dutch will now require the assistance of their bitter rivals, Germany, to beat Denmark on Sunday.  If that happens, and the Netherlands beat Portugal by two or more goals, the Dutch will go through to the quarterfinals.  Though there is still a chance, it is obviously a bad time to be wearing orange.