UEFA Euro 2012 — Group B

Teams

• Denmark
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Portugal

All four national sides were among the world’s highest-ranked teams at the time, which contributed to intense pre-tournament expectations. Because of the strength of these squads the group was widely labeled the “Group of Death”; each team entered the competition inside the top positions of the FIFA rankings before the kickoff (FIFA rankings reference).

The competition within the group was defined by tactical variation and individual quality. Germany combined disciplined defending and efficient build-up play, Portugal relied on strong individual talent and transitional attacks, the Netherlands were noted for technical possession football under pressure to perform, and Denmark approached matches with organized defensive structure and counterplay.

At the end of the group phase two teams progressed to the quarter-finals: Germany and Portugal secured the top positions and advanced. The Netherlands and Denmark were eliminated after a sequence of tight results. Advancement was decided by the usual group criteria: points first, then goal difference and goals scored when necessary, reflecting how even margins separated success from elimination.

Significance and legacy

Group B of Euro 2012 is often remembered as an example of how high-ranking teams can produce surprisingly balanced and unpredictable mini-tournaments. It illustrated the importance of consistency across three matches and showcased prominent international players and managerial approaches. For readers seeking match-by-match detail, squad lists and statistical breakdowns, consult the competition resources and team pages above (tournament, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, rankings).