Euro'2012: Portugal in the same group with the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany

The smash-hit in the "play-off" against Bosnia-Herzegovina ensured the Portugal´s presence in the UEFA EURO 2012, where will try to improve on the recent performance.

Since reached the EURO 2004' final, Portugal became a constant presence at the eliminating phases, of the major selections evidence.
Present in the semi-finals of World Cup 2006 and the quarter-finals of EURO 2008 , had the misfortune to find Spain, future champion in the 8th's knockout round of the tournament, held in South Africa in 2010.

However, the fifth consecutive participation in the European finals was at risk, when Paulo Bento replaced Carlos Queiroz after only two matchdays - and with just 1 point- in the qualifying round for the EURO 2012.
Bento made ​​an immediate impact and the course led to a resounding victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off.

Qualification for the UEFA EURO 2012
Group H: second placed
Play-off: Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-0, 2-6 Portugal (total: 2-6)
Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (7)
Plenary: Raul Meireles, Nani (10)

Bento managed to take the team to five wins threaded, but the defeat in Denmark leave it in the second place of Group H.
Won Bosnia-Herzegovina with a overall result of 6-2, despite the goalless draw in Zenica.

Background history in the EURO:

Portugal made ​​its debut in the final stage of an Euro-championship in 1984, and was six minutes to play the final in Paris.
Winning the hosts France by 2-1, already in extra time, allowed the tie to Jean-Francois Domergue, before Michel Platini to the 119 minutes, to make the winning goal.
Portugal´s following participation happened in 1996 and since then, Portugal was present in all later phases, being one of the seven selections to achieve that feat, along with Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands and Czech Republic.
Portugal participated in five final stages and never remained through the group stage, having lost in the semi-finals of 1984 and 2000 against France, future champion in both competitions.
Gone further at home, by the UEFA EURO 2004, but lost the final in Lisbon against Greece, 1-0, where the winning probability prior to the tournament was 100 to one.

Schedule of Portugal's matches in Group B for Euro 2012:

Saturday, June 9: Germany - Portugal, 19.45, Lviv
Wednesday, June 13: Denmark - Portugal, 17.00, Lviv
Sunday, June 17: Portugal - Holland, 19.45, Kharkiv
----( GMT times).