Portugal v Denmark Euro 2012 match preview
Two Group H favorites will go head to head on Friday night when Portugal play host to Denmark as each will look to gain ground on the early leaders Norway.
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Portugal did not perform to the level they would have hoped when they made an early exit from this summer's World Cup by losing 1-0 in the second round to Iberian rivals, and eventual champions, Spain. They have since struggled in international competition
and have suffered disappointing results early on in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Andreas Avraam scored in the 89th minute when Portugal hosted Cyprus in Guimares, Portugal on Sept. 3 to secure for the Cypriots a shocking 4-4 draw. Things got worse
for Portugal when they were beaten 1-0 in Oslo by a formidable Norwegian side who look eager to get themselves back onto the international stage. Portugal always seem to enter tournaments as favorites, but have seemed a bit on the decline since they made it
to the final of Euro 2004 (a tournament which they hosted), and to the semi-final of the 2006 World Cup in which they finished fourth.
Denmark are in second place in their group behind Norway and have played only one match so far defeating Iceland 2-1 away from home. Denmark won the championship in 1992 when the tournament was held in Sweden. Denmark hadn't even qualified, but were late
additions to the tournament after Yugoslavia was barred from competing because of the unstable political situation there at the time. Since that glorious victory Denmark have been in and out of major competitions. They failed to qualify for the tournament
four years ago, but managed qualification for the most recent World Cup where they failed to progress beyond the first round.
Players to watch
It's sometimes difficult to take your eyes off the dreamy Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo when he's playing for his club Real Madrid. Portuguese supporters will be hoping the 25-year-old can put in a world class performance, as he will not exactly
have a supporting cast with the type of repute as that which he enjoys with his club, and the result may hinge on whether or not he can muster a few moments of individual brilliance. Portugal's first two matches were without their top player and the results
were a reflection of that fact. Goalkeeper Eduardo will be an important factor in determining Portugal's fate and whether or not they can get a victory.
Denmark have made several changes to their lineup, but their success or failure always rests in the hands of a handful of key players including veterans Christian Poulsen in midfield, Dennis Rommedahl on the wing, and goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson.
What to expect
Paulo Bento will be making his debut behind the bench for Portugal and he will be hoping to prove to the Portuguese faithful that his side are prepared to turn things around and get themselves back in the hunt for qualification. Denmark will look to keep
pace with Scandinavian rivals Norway and challenge for the early lead atop the group. Portugal will be well prepared and unlikely to lie down and surrender as they did against Cyprus. Portugal will get the result they need with a 2-0 win.
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