Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Euro 2012 Group B encounter between Denmark and Germany in Lviv.
A draw will be enough for the Germans to seal top spot in the Group. However, if they lose they could be eliminated if Portugal beat Netherlands in Group B's other match.
Meanwhile, Denmark will progress to the quarter-finals if they beat their neighbours, but a draw will also be enough if Portugal suffer defeat.
Germany have put together a sequence of 12 straight wins in competitive competition and they have quickly emerged as one of the favourites to triumph on July 1.
Note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.
21.38So there it is. Another night of action draws to a close at Euro 2012. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the coverage!
21.36Portugal also advance following their 2-1 win over Holland. They will face Czech Republic.
21.36Germany to face Greece in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.
21.34So there we have it. Germany top Group B and book their spot in the quarter-finals following a 2-1 win over Denmark. It was the Germans who controlled proceedings throughout the encounter and they took the lead after 19 minutes via Lukas Podolski. Michael Krohn-Delhi levelled for the Danes, but Germany were always in control and made sure of their last-16 spot with a late strike from Lars Bender.
FULL-TIMEDenmark 1-2 Germany
90 min+2Offside Klose as the match draws to a close. To be honest, it has been an uneventful one.
90 minWe will play an additional three minutes.
89 minPass, pass, pass from the Germans. They haven't been great this evening - but they have got the job done.
87 minIt looks to be all over for Denmark, but they have not let anyone down this summer. The match is just fizzling to its conclusion.
85 minSo as it stands: Germany and Portugal are heading for the last 16. The Germans are controlling the match as we approach the latter stages here.
84 minChance for Denmark as Agger meets a corner, but he can only head over the bar. Meanwhile, Toni Kroos has replaced Muller for Germany.
83 minChange for Denmark as Jakob Poulsen is replaced by Tobias Mikkelsen.
80 minGermany take the lead and book their spot in the latter stages as Bender converts from close range in the box.
80 minGOAL! Denmark 1-2 Germany (Bender)
77 minAs it stands, a Denmark goal would send Germany out of the tournament. Incredible.
76 minChance for Denmark as Bendtner meets a Poulsen cross in the box. However, Neuer gathers the danger.
74 minChange for Germany as Gomez is replaced by Miroslav Klose. Meanwhile, Portugal lead 2-1 against Holland with a strike from Ronaldo.
73 minMeanwhile, in tonight's other match - Nani has just missed a sitter for Portugal.
71 minIt's almost like both of these sides want a draw. No invention from either side.
69 minIt's poor from Germany as Muller attempts to link up with Khedira. However, it's behind for a goal-kick.
67 minStill Germany continue to control possession. They might have led when Schurrle advanced into the box. However, Andersen tipped the ball to safety.
65 minPenalty claim for Germany as Muller goes down under the challenge of Kjaer. However, no decision is forthcoming.
65 minChange for Germany as Podolski is replaced by Andre Schurrle.
65 minSchweinsteiger tries his luck from distance but it smashes off the back of his own teammate Gomez. Not a lot happening to be brutally honest.
63 minTidy play from Germany as Gomez finds Khedira. However, the ball is turned behind for a corner.
61 minMeanwhile, Portugal and Holland remain locked at 1-1. As it stands, Germany and Portugal will go through.
61 minChances have been few and far between in this second period thus far. It's like a casual Sunday afternoon game for the Germans.
59 minPass, pass, pass from Germany with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lahm involved. However, it breaks down at the final moment.
57 minGermany continue to keep hold of possession as we approach the hour mark. Ozil has been the star thus far for me.
55 minAgain it's tidy play from Germany as Ozil finds Muller. However, the latter's ball to Gomez is blocked in the area. They look so dangerous going forward.
53 minYou just get the feeling that Germany could raise the tempo if they wanted to. But they are playing a dangerous game. Results could quickly put them out.
51 minChance! Oh my word! So nearly for Denmark as Bendtner finds Jakob Poulsen in the box. However, he just shaves the post. What an opportunity.
50 minAnother sighter from Germany as Gomez strikes from distance, but it was always moving wide of the post.
48 minGlorious ball from Phillip Lahm as he searches out Muller in the box. However, the skipper's ball is just over-hit.
48 minIt's been a bright start from Denmark as they enjoy possession of the ball. However, still no goal threat.
46 minHere we go then. Denmark start us off in the second period.
20.42Meanwhile, here are the stats from the opening half: Denmark 1-1 Germany
Possession: 41%-59%
Balls played: 255-334
Shots: 5-7
20.37So as it stands. It is Germany and Portugal who will advance to the quarter-finals.
20.31So there we have it. Denmark and Germany enter the break at 1-1 following an eventful opening period. It was the Germans who controlled the early stages and they rightly took the lead after 19 minutes via Lukas Podolski. However, the Danes equalised through Michael Krohn-Dehli five minutes later. Germany continued to threaten as the half advanced, but they could not secure a first-half lead.
HALF-TIMEDenmark 1-1 Germany
45 minDenmark on the attack as the half draws to a close with Bendtner winning a series of headers. Meanwhile, we will play one additional minute.
43 minWonderful football from Germany as Ozil plays a one-two with Muller. However, he is just crowded out before Gomez is punished for a foul on Andersen.
42 minChance! So nearly 2-1 for Germany as Khedira is allowed to dance into the box. However, he toes it wide.
41 minIt's nice feet from Gomez as he collects an Ozil cross in the box. However, Agger scrambles the ball away.
40 minWe still haven't really seen anything from Denmark going forward - aside from the goal of course.
38 minHowever, Podolski's effort is fired just over the bar. Close.
37 minJust wonderful feet from Muller as he dances through the Danish defence before being felled. Free-kick Germany on the edge of the Denmark box.
35 minTwo thumping headers clear from Danish defender Simon Kjaer. How good has he been in the tournament thus far?! However, Germany continue to threaten.
33 minChance! So nearly for Germany as Hummels jumps with Andersen. However, the goalkeeper fists it out for another corner. Gomez has a chance from the set-piece, but he scuffs wide.
32 minFree-kick for Germany in a dangerous position as Agger fells Muller...
32 minDenmark just beginning to enjoy a spell of possession as the half advances.
30 minMeanwhile, Portugal have equalised against Holland through Cristiano Ronaldo. As it stands, it is Germany and Portugal progressing.
28 minGermany were zonal marking from that corner in which they conceded. I have never been a fan of that myself!
27 minWho saw that coming? Game on! Germany with possession.
25 minWow! Denmark move back into second as Michael Krohn-Delhi latches on to a Bendtner header to head the ball home from close range.
25 minGOAL! Denmark 1-1 Germany (Krohn-Delhi)
24 minFirst corner for Denmark as Mats Hummels clears behind...
23 minRemember, Denmark go out if they lose this evening.
21 minThe Germans are just in complete control of this one. Denmark simply cannot get out their own half.
19 minGermany lead! And it's Lukas Podolski marking his 100th cap with a powerful finish inside the box.
19 min GOAL! Denmark 0-1 Germany (Podolski)
19 minSo nearly for Germany as Ozil attempts to find Gomez. However, Agger makes a wonderful challenge.
19 minAs it stands, Denmark and Germany will advance to the quarter-finals from Group B.
18 minWaste from Germany as Mesut Ozil drifts a free-kick straight out of play. Denmark restart with Andersen.
16 minGermany continue to dominate the ball in this opening half. Surely it is only a matter of time?
15 minHalf-chance for Denmark as Bendtner strikes from distance, but it was always moving wide.
13 minMeanwhile, Netherlands have taken a 1-0 lead against Portugal in Group B's other encounter.
12 minAgain it's fantastic play for Germany as Muller and Khedira link-up. However, Daniel Agger makes a wonderful challenge in the box.
10 minAnother sniff from Germany as Muller advances down the right. However, he is crowded out by Lars Jacobsen.
9 minGermany continue to dominate possession as we approach the 10 minute mark. There is just such a lovely look to their set-up.
7 minSix players from Bayern Munich in the German side this evening. Five of them began the Champions League final.
6 minChance! So nearly 1-0 for Germany as Muller advances into the box. However, somehow he was denied by Stephan Anderson from close range. They should be 1-0 ahead.
5 minDenmark do register an effort on target, however, as Bendtner wins a header in the box. But Manuel Neuer is on hand to collect the ball.
4 minDenmark nice and tidy on the ball in the early stages. However, they are yet to threaten.
3 minAgain Germany come close as Khedira searches out Mario Gomez in the box. However, Daniel Agger clears the danger. Germany have started this one in fine form.
2 minFirst chance of the night comes to Germany as Sami Khedira founds Thomas Muller in the box. However, he strikes high and wide.
1 minAs expected, Germany gain early possession of the ball this evening.
1 minHere we go then. Germany get us underway. What an occasion.
19.43Right, handshakes over, flags exchanged. Let's play some football.
19.41... now it's Denmark's turn.
19.40Time for the national anthems. Germany first...
19.40Here we go then. Both sets of players are emerging onto the pitch.
19.38Just take another look at that German starting side. What talent. Are they your favourites? They certainly are mine.
19.36Got it? Good! Right focusing on our featured match. We are just 10 minutes away from kickoff.
19.34A one-goal defeat would also see Portugal through if Germany beat Denmark. However, if it is by any more than that then they are out.
19.32Holland must win by more than one goal and hope Germany beat Denmark. Meanwhile, Portugal will be through with a win unless Denmark beat Germany 3-2. They will also go through with a draw if Denmark do not beat Germany.
19.30Meanwhile, let's take a quick look at tonight's other match between Portugal and Netherlands.
19.28Meanwhile, German boss Joachim Loew stated: "We will not underestimate them. We have not qualified yet and need at least one point. It will be a tight match. Denmark also have hopes of reaching the last eight, we always knew they would be a threat as they're compact and very dangerous on the counterattack."
19.26It is understood that the Danish FA are keen to tie Olsen to a contract extension following his side's impressive form in recent months.
19.24A word from Denmark boss Morten Olsen before the match: "I am absolutely sure that Germany will not underestimate us. They know that we have a team that on the day can play against any opponent so we don't have this advantage as we did 20 years ago. As sports people we have experienced two dressing rooms, one which was euphoric and one that was filled with grave emotions and darkness. We, of course, prefer the feeling we had after the Dutch game," he told Eurosport.
19.22However, Denmark also enter the match in fine form. They have won seven of their last 10 matches and in Nicklas Bendtner, they have a striker who is bang in form.
19.20Germany are also the only team to win all their qualifying and tournament matches for Euro 2012 - some feat that!
19.18Germany's head-to-head record does read better. They have recorded a total of 14 wins in 25 games against the Danes. Meanwhile, the Germans have scored in their last 18 matches.
19.16The pair have not met in this competition, however, since Denmark recorded a famous 2-0 win in the final of 1992.
19.14Denmark salvaged a draw the last time the two teams met in August 2010. The Danes recovered from 2-0 down to rescue a 2-2 draw.
19.14So what do we think about this evening then? Two huge matches in Group B. All four teams can still qualify. Be sure to stay with us as the evening unfolds.
19.12Meanwhile, Germany's only change is an enforced one with Jerome Boateng suspended - meaning that Lars Bender comes into the team on the right side of defence.
19.12Just the one change for the Danes with Jakob Poulsen replacing the injured Dennis Rommedahl in midfield.
19.10Team News: Germany: Neuer; Bender, Badstuber, Hummels, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Ozil, Podolski; Gomez
19.10Team News: Denmark: Andersen; Jacobsen, Agger, Kjaer, S. Poulsen; Zimling, Kvist, J.Poulsen, Eriksen, Krohn-Dehli; Bendtner
body check tags ::
