Dutch Drama in the Euro 2012 Group of Death
Holland’s opening loss to Denmark on Saturday, June 9 reminded us just why Group B is considered the Group of Death; every team is a threat, and a damned good one.
The Dutch team, one of the favorites to make it through to the Euro final, is poised for a swift exit from the tournament after two losses in the Group Stage. With the forward power of Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, fans expected sparks to be flying. However, a sluggish midfield – largely thanks to a past-his-expiration-date Mark van Bommel – couldn’t do enough to maintain possession. And Germany exposed severe weaknesses in the defense.
Perhaps the biggest mistake the Dutch made was buying into their own hype, underestimating opponents and overestimating their strength. Not to mention that the team is still plagued by pitch-sized egos. Check out Robben’s diva attitude after being subbed off against Germany. Put simply, the superstar talents on the Dutch team don’t play nicely together.
Despite the bitter loss to the Germans on Wednesday, the Netherlands could still potentially qualify for the Quarterfinals. With a two-goal win over Portugal on Sunday, June 17 (ESPN, 2:30p) and a little luck (in the form of a German victory over Denmark), goal differential could send them through. Whether they deserve the chance is another matter.
UPDATE 6/17: Dutch lose third Group Stage match; Germany and Portugal move on to Quarterfinals.
Euro 2012 Standings
Group A (three games)
✓ Czech Republic – 6
✓ Greece – 4
Russia – 4
Poland – 2
Group B (three games)
✓ Germany – 9
✓ Portugal – 6
Denmark – 3
Netherlands – 0
Group C (three games)
✓ Spain – 7
✓ Italy – 5
Croatia – 4
Ireland – 0
Group D (three games)
✓ England – 7
✓ France – 4
Ukraine – 3
Sweden – 3
For the full Euro 2012 TV Schedule, click here.
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Where to watch the best soccer games on US television networks. All times Eastern.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00a | UEFA Champions League | FC Zurich vs. FC Bayern Munich | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 4:00a | French Ligue 1 | Girondins de Bordeaux vs. LOSC Lille Metropole | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 9:30a | World Cup 2014 Qualifying | Canada vs. Honduras | ESPN Deportes | Replay |
| 11:00a | French Ligue 1 | LOSC Lille Metropole vs. Olympique Lyonnais | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:45a | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Ukraine vs. France | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 1:00p | UEFA Champions League | Manchester United FC vs. FC Basel 1893 | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Sweden vs. England | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 3:00p | International Friendly | Brazil vs. Argentina | GolTV | Replay |
| 3:00p | English Premier League | Manchester United vs. Chelsea | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 5:00p | UEFA Champions League | Arsenal FC vs. Udinese Calcio | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 5:00p | Argentine Soccer | Banfield vs. Boca Juniors | GolTV | Replay |
| 6:00p | The FA Classic Collection | Chelsea vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:00p | English Premier League | Queens Park Rangers vs. Manchester City | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 11:00p | UEFA Champions League | Manchester United FC vs. FC Basel 1893 | Fox Soccer | Replay |
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00a | UEFA Champions League | FC Bayern Munich vs. FC Zurich | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | International Friendly | Brazil vs. Argentina | GolTV | Replay |
| 7:00a | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Ukraine vs. France | ESPN2 | Replay |
| 9:00a | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Sweden vs. England | ESPN2 | Replay |
| 11:00a | German Bundesliga | VfL Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund | GolTV | Replay |
| 12:00p | UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid CF vs. AFC Ajax | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 1:00p | International Friendly | Brazil vs. Argentina | GolTV | Replay |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Greece vs. Russia | ESPN2 | Live |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Czech Republic vs. Poland | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 3:00p | English Premier League | Tottenham vs. Arsenal | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | Argentine Soccer | Patronato vs. River Plate | GolTV | Live |
| 5:00p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Greece vs. Russia | ESPN Deportes | Taped |
| 5:30p | Brazilian Soccer | Internacional vs. Botafogo | GolTV | Live |
| 7:00p | MLS Soccer | D.C. United at Philadelphia Union | Galavision | Live |
| 7:30p | MLS Soccer | FC Dallas at Houston Dynamo | ESPN2 | Live |
| 7:30p | Uruguayan Soccer | Nacional vs. Defensor Sporting | GolTV | Taped |
| 8:00p | Mundo Maya Cup | Messi All-Stars vs. Mexico All-Stars | Fox Soccer | Live |
| 9:30p | Argentine Soccer | Patronato vs. River Plate | GolTV | Replay |
| 11:00p | Mundo Maya Cup | Messi All-Stars vs. Mexico All-Stars | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 11:30p | Brazilian Soccer | Internacional vs. Botafogo | GolTV | Replay |
SUNDAY, JUNE 17
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00a | UEFA Champions League | Arsenal FC vs. Udinese Calcio | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | Argentine Soccer | Patronato vs. River Plate | GolTV | Replay |
| 11:00a | MLS Soccer | FC Dallas at Houston Dynamo | ESPN Deportes | Replay |
| 11:00a | International Friendly | Brazil vs. Argentina | GolTV | Replay |
| 12:00p | Mundo Maya Cup | Messi All-Stars vs. Mexico All-Stars | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 1:00p | Argentine Soccer | Patronato vs. River Plate | GolTV | Replay |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Portugal vs. Netherlands | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Denmark vs. Germany | ESPN2 | Live |
| 3:00p | English Premier League | West Brom vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | Brazilian Soccer | Internacional vs. Botafogo | GolTV | Replay |
| 5:00p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Denmark vs. Germany | ESPN Deportes | Taped |
| 5:00p | MLS Soccer | New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire | NBC Sports Network | Live |
| 6:00p | Football Rivalries | Manchester United vs. Liverpool, Benifica vs. Sporting Lisbon | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 6:00p | French Ligue 1 | Paris Saint-Germain vs. Olympique Lyonnais | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 6:00p | Argentine Soccer | Boca Juniors vs. Arsenal de Sarandi | GolTV | Live |
| 8:00p | English Premier League | Manchester City vs. Newcastle United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 9:00p | Argentine Soccer | Boca Juniors vs. Arsenal de Sarandi | GolTV | Replay |
| 11:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC Bayern Munich vs. Manchester City FC | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 11:00p | Uruguayan Soccer | Nacional vs. Defensor Sporting | GolTV | Replay |
| 11:30p | MLS Soccer | New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire | NBC Sports Network | Replay |
MONDAY, JUNE 18
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00a | International Friendly | Brazil vs. Argentina | GolTV | Replay |
| 3:00a | UEFA Champions League | FC Twente vs. SL Benfica | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | German Bundesliga | VfL Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund | GolTV | Replay |
| 7:00a | MLS Soccer | New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire | NBC Sports Network | Replay |
| 9:00a | UEFA Champions League | Internazionale Milano vs. LOSC Lille Metropole | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00a | English npower Championship | West Ham United vs. Cardiff City | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00a | Brazilian Soccer | Palmeiras vs. Vasco | ESPN Deportes | Replay |
| 1:00p | UEFA Champions League | PFC CSKA Moscow vs. FC Internazionale Milan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 1:00p | Brazilian Soccer | Internacional vs. Botafogo | GolTV | Replay |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Croatia vs. Spain | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Italy vs. Republic of Ireland | ESPN2 | Live |
| 3:00p | English Premier League | Manchester City vs. Aston Villa | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | International Friendly | Brazil vs. Argentina | GolTV | Replay |
| 5:00p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Italy vs. Republic of Ireland | ESPN Deportes | Taped |
| 5:00p | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan vs. FC Barcelona | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 5:00p | Argentine Soccer | Boca Juniors vs. Arsenal de Sarandi | GolTV | Replay |
| 6:00p | Football Rivalries | Celtic vs. Rangers & Sparta vs. Slavia Prague | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:00p | English Premier League | Chelsea vs. Liverpool | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 11:00p | Mundo Maya Cup | Messi All-Stars vs. Mexico All-Stars | Fox Soccer | Replay |
TUESDAY, JUNE 19
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00a | English npower Championship | Southampton vs. Leeds United | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 3:00a | UEFA Champions League | FC Bayern Munich vs. Manchester City FC | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | Argentine Soccer | Boca Juniors vs. Arsenal de Sarandi | GolTV | Replay |
| 4:00a | English npower Championship | West Ham United vs. Cardiff City | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 9:00a | UEFA Champions League | Olympiacos FC vs. Arsenal FC | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00a | English npower Championship | Southampton vs. Middlesbrough | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 1:00p | UEFA Champions League | Valencia CF vs. Chelsea FC | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | England vs. Ukraine | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Sweden vs. France | ESPN2 | Live |
| 3:00p | English Premier League | Chelsea vs. Everton | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | German Bundesliga | VfL Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund | GolTV | Replay |
| 5:00p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Sweden vs. France | ESPN Deportes | Taped |
| 5:00p | UEFA Champions League | Manchester United FC vs. FC Otelul Galati | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 5:00p | AC Milan Channel | Palermo vs. AC Milan | GolTV | Replay |
| 6:30p | Premier League Archives | Everton vs. Liverpool | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:00p | English Premier League | Arsenal vs. Fulham | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:30p | Premier League Archives | Liverpool vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00p | UEFA Champions League | Valencia CF vs. Chelsea FC | Fox Soccer | Replay |
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00a | English npower Championship | West Ham United vs. Leeds United | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 3:00a | UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid CF vs. AFC Ajax | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | AC Milan Channel | Palermo vs. AC Milan | GolTV | Replay |
| 4:00a | English npower Championship | Reading vs. Southampton | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 9:00a | UEFA Champions League | Manchester United FC vs. FC Otelul Galati | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00a | English npower Championship | Southampton vs. Leeds United | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 1:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC BATE Borisov vs. FC Barcelona | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | English Premier League | Newcastle vs. Tottenham | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | Brazilian Soccer | Internacional vs. Botafogo | GolTV | Replay |
| 5:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC Internazionale Milano vs. LOSC Lille Metropole | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 5:00p | German Bundesliga | VfL Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund | GolTV | Replay |
| 6:00p | The FA Classic Collection: 2000/01 | Tranmere Rovers vs. Liverpool | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:00p | English Premier League | Liverpool vs. Manchester City | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:00p | International Friendly | Brazil vs. Argentina | GolTV | Replay |
| 8:30p | The FA Classic Collection | Luton Town vs. Liverpool | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00p | UEFA Champions League | FC BATE Borisov vs. FC Barcelona | Fox Soccer | Replay |
THURSDAY, JUNE 21
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00a | English npower Championship | Southampton vs. Middlesbrough | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 3:00a | UEFA Champions League | Manchester United FC vs. FC Basel 1893 | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | German Bundesliga | VfL Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund | GolTV | Replay |
| 4:00a | English npower Championship | Weest Ham United vs. Potsmouth | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 9:00a | UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid CF vs. GNK Dinamo Zagreb | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00a | English npower Championship | West Ham United vs. Leeds United | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 1:00p | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan vs. FC Viktoria Plzen | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 2:30p | 2012 UEFA European Championship | Quarterfinals: Teams TBA | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 3:00p | English Premier League | Manchester United vs. Manchester City | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | Uruguayan Soccer | Nacional vs. Defensor Sporting | GolTV | Replay |
| 5:00p | UEFA Champions League | Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. Chelsea FC | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 5:00p | Argentine Soccer | Patronato vs. River Plate | GolTV | Replay |
| 8:00p | English Premier League | Manchester City vs. Norwich City | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 11:00p | UEFA Champions League | AC Milan vs. FC Viktoria Plzen | Fox Soccer | Replay |
