Goal.com

Jun 17, 2012 7:44:00 AM

Low's men need just a point to win the group but defeat leaves a whole host of scenarios possible with Portugal and Denmark able to win the group, while Holland can still progress

EURO2012

GROUP B PERMUTATIONS

As was the case with Group A, all sides can still progress to the knock-out stage from Group B going into the final matchday, although things are a little less open with Netherlands needing all the luck to go their way on Sunday evening.

Germany, the only side in Euro 2012 to have won both of their games so far, are in pole position to go through as group winners needing a draw or a win against second-placed Denmark to secure top spot. Losing by more than one goal could send Joachim Low's men home, though.

If the Danes, who have already beaten Netherlands, defeat Germany and Portugal fail to beat Netherlands then Denmark go through as group winners thanks to their head-to-head record with Germany.

However, if Portugal beat Netherlands as well as Denmark beating Germany, then things get complicated. A mini league of three teams all on six points will form and it will be decided on goal difference and head-to-head records.

	GROUP B AS IT STANDS	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	GERMANY	2	2	0	0	2	6
2	DENMARK	2	1	0	1	0	3
3	PORTUGAL	2	1	0	1	0	3
4	NETHERLANDS	2	0	0	2	-2	0

If Denmark win by just one goal, the three sides in the mini-league will have equal goal-difference of zero, eliminating Germany on goals scored, unless the Danes win 3-2 or higher.

A 1-0 win for Denmark renders Portugal's victory over Netherlands irrelevant as the Portuguese would advance on their head-to-head record with Denmark, as the two sides would have equal mini-league goal-difference.

Denmark winning 2-1 sends Germany out and Portugal through in second place, but a 3-2 or higher (but still by one goal) would mean Denmark win the group and Germany go through in second on goals scored ahead of Portugal.

If both games are drawn, then Portugal progress ahead of Denmark on head-to-head, but Denmark go through if they draw and Netherlands get something against Portugal, while Portugal also need just a point if Germany take any points from Denmark.

There is also some hope for the Oranje. They need to beat Portugal by two clear goals, and hope that the Germans do them a favour by beating Denmark, leaving a three way tie for second place (and another mini-league) and Bert van Marwijk's side advancing on goals scored.

As we enter the final straight of the group stages, Goal.com presents all the various scenarios and potential outcomes for Group B...

(1) Positions determined by outcome of Denmark - Germany...

• Portugal first, Denmark second if Denmark win 1–0

• Denmark first, Germany second if Denmark win by one goal and score a minimum of three

• Denmark first, Portugal second if Denmark win 2–1 or by at least two clear goals

(2) Portugal will be runner-up if they lose by one goal. If they lose by a bigger margin, Netherlands secure second.

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!