The UEFA EURO 2012 kicks off on Friday, June 8

The UEFA EURO 2012 schedule kicks off on Friday, June 8, with the first of two matches. It's an exciting day for football fans around the world and it begins a grueling month of matches set up to determine the latest EURO champion.In the current FIFA world rankings, Spain is way out in front and should be considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. Germany is in second and Netherlands is currently fourth. That likely makes Group B the toughest at EURO 2012, as both Germany and Netherlands are in it, as well as fifth ranked Portugal and tenth ranked Denmark. Having four of the top 10 in the same grouping will certainly get this one called the "group of death."Television schedules have not yet been released for the matches, but in the United States it is ESPN that holds the rights to air games. They will likely take full advantage of the key matches. The matches are taking place in Poland and Ukraine, with the countries alternating days during group play.All games listed below are noted in Pacific Standard Time.

EURO 2012 Schedule

Friday, June 8 (Poland)

Poland vs. Greece, 10 a.m. PT

Russia vs. Czech Republic, 12:45 p.m. PT

Saturday, June 9 (Ukraine)

Netherlands vs. Denmark, 10 a.m. PT

Germany vs. Portugal, 12:45 p.m. PT

Sunday, June 10 (Poland)

Spain vs. Italy, 10 a.m. PT

Ireland vs. Croatia, 12:45 p.m. PT

Monday, June 11 (Ukraine)

France vs. England, 10 a.m. PT

Ukraine vs. Sweden, 12:45 p.m. PT

Tuesday, June 12 (Poland)

Greece vs. Czech Republic, 10 a.m. PT

Poland vs. Russia, 12:45 p.m. PT

Wednesday, June 13 (Ukraine)

Denmark vs. Portugal, 10 a.m. PT

Netherlands vs. Germany, 12:45 p.m. PT

Thursday, June 14 (Poland)

Italy vs. Croatia, 10 a.m. PT

Spain vs. Ireland, 12:45 p.m. PT

Friday, June 15 (Ukraine)

Sweden vs. England, 10 a.m. PT

Ukraine vs. France, 12:45 p.m. PT

Saturday, June 16 (Poland)

Greece vs. Russia, 12:45 p.m. PT (National Stadium Warsaw)

Czech Republic vs. Poland, 12:45 p.m. PT (Municipal Stadium Wroclaw)

Sunday, June 17 (Ukraine)

Portugal vs. Netherlands, 12:45 p.m. PT (Metalist Stadium)

Denmark vs. Germany, 12:45 p.m. PT (Arena Lviv)

Monday, June 18 (Poland)

Croatia vs. Spain, 12:45 p.m. PT (PGE Arena Gdansk)

Italy vs. Ireland, 12:45 p.m. PT (Municipal Stadium)

Tuesday, June 19 (Ukraine)

Sweden vs. France, 12:45 p.m. PT (Kiev Olympic Stadium)

England vs. Ukraine, 12:45 p.m. PT (Donbass Arena)

Thursday, June 21 (Match 25)

Winner Group A vs. Runner-Up Group B, 12:45 p.m. PT (National Stadium Warsaw, Poland)

Friday, June 22 (Match 26)

Winner Group B vs. Runner-Up Group A, 12:45 p.m. PT (PGE Arena Gdansk, Poland)

Saturday, June 23 (Match 27)

Winner Group C vs. Runner-Up Group D, 12:45 p.m. PT (Donbass Arena, Ukraine)

Sunday, June 24 (Match 28)

Runner-Up Group C vs. Winner Group D, 12:45 p.m. PT (Olympic Stadium)

Wednesday, June 27

Winner Match 25 vs. Winner Match 27, 12:45 p.m. PT (Donbass Arena, Ukraine)

Thursday, June 28

Winner Match 26 vs. Winner Match 28, 12:45 p.m. PT (National Stadium Warsaw, Poland)

Sunday, July 1

Winner Semifinal 1 vs. Winner Semifinal 2, 12:45 p.m. PT (Olympic Stadium)