Exciting line-up at this year's tourney

Turkey

Having watched with anguish as Greece won last time out, the Turks will be keen to stay on as long as possible but they don't look to have enough quality having only just squeezed into the finals. Manager Fatih Terim, nicknamed 'The Emperor' for his decisive leadership and keen tactical awareness, will be a key figure in the dugout but the team look suspect in the middle of defence while the goalkeeper position is far from settled.

Lack of pace could also prove their undoing but on the plus side they know each other inside out and have bags of experience in some of Europe's biggest leagues.

Player to watch: Mehmet Aurelio. Brazilian born but now a naturalised citizen who will hope to continue his Fenerbahce club form at national lkevel, providing the bullets for Nihat Kahveci up front.

Prediction: National pride is at stake but they are unlikely to set Euro 2008 on fire. They would settle for a quarterfinal berth but are unlikely to get one.

Portugal

Having missed out on home soil four years ago, it was felt Scolari's beaten finalists had missed their best chance. The so-called golden generation still retains much of its lustre even though qualification was a fraught affair, only accomplished in the last series of games. Having also reached the semifinal of the last World Cup, Portugal will have a lot of neutral fans behind them.

Scolari is a master of tournament football and will deflect the pressure away from his players. Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho will be a calming influence at the back and with Ronaldo, Nani, Ricardo Quaresma and Simao all going forward, opposing defences could have a torrid time. Yet their 4-2-3-1 formation cries out for a genuine world-class centre-forward. That could ultimately prove their downfall unless the midfield players can score enough goals.

Player to watch: Not much argument. Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably Portugal's best ever player, together with Eusebio, and it is vital the Manchester United forward inspires his team-mates rather than curb his outstanding talents.

Prediction: Ronaldo is so good he could win Euro 2008 on his own but to go all the way Portugal would have to get past Germany in the semifinals. They certainly have the capability but will they have the physical and mental strength?

Switzerland

Desperate to prove they are worthy hosts who can rub shoulders with the best and with a coach, Kobi Kuhn, who is not afraid to make controversial decisions. Three straight defeats prompted Kuhn to get tough and drop captain Johann Vogel. Kuhn says success will be reaching the last eight and he's probably right given a mixed series of results in the build-up to the tournament.

But they are nothing if not resilient as an unbeaten run in the 2006 World Cup proved before losing to Ukraine on penalties. As hosts they will have the whole country behind them, but this will also increase the pressure on an already fragile team. They need skipper Alexandre Frei to shine like never before.

Player to watch: Johan Vonlanthen.

Became the second youngest player to play in a European Championship when he came off the bench against England four years ago and then scored against France in the next game to break Wayne Rooney's record as the youngest ever scorer at a finals.

Prediction: Up against both the Czechs and the star-studded Portuguese, getting out of the group would constitute a terrific achievement.

Czech Republic

Having qualified in rampant fashion along with Germany – including a stunning 3-0 win in Munich – Karel Bruckner's team may not be among the most fashionable but ignore them at your peril.

The wily 68-year-old coach has overseen a silent revolution since the 2006 World Cup, seamlessly filling the holes left by the retirement of Karel Poborski and Pavel Nedved while retaining the nucleus of an experienced side.

Bruckner leads his country for the final time after seven years in charge and his most crucial game is arguably the first, against joint hosts Switzerland on the opening day. Lose and they could struggle to advance. The hammer blow of losing skipper Tomas Rosicky through injury will surely hurt them, the Arsenal man having been the creative hub.

And if Jan Koller leaves his shooting boots at home, they could struggle to score goals. Brilliant and disappointing in equal measure, their chances depend on how consistent they can be when it matters most.
Player to watch: Petr Cech. The Chelsea keeper is arguably the world's best in his position, providing a formidable last line of defence with his stunning reflexes and calm, commanding presence.

Prediction: On paper, they should have few problems getting out of their group provided that opening game is safely negotiated. Once they are on a roll they will be hard to stop though a semifinal berth is probably the best they can hope.

Russia

Surely the dark horse of the group if not the whole tournament having seen Zenit St. Petersburg win the Uefa Cup. In Guus Hiddink, who led Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals in 1998, South Korea to the same stage in 2002 and Australia to the knockout round in 2006, Russia have one of the best coaches in the business.

Significantly, however, the hugely gifted Andrei Arshavin is suspended for the first two games after being sent off against Andorra in qualifying. In Arshavin's absence Hiddink must get the best out of a group of workmanlike players but the manager almost always exceeds expectations.

Hiddink will probably favour a 4-5-1 system but will be further hit if striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who suffered a serious knee injury in a friendly win over Serbia, misses out.

Player to Watch: Arshavin – which just makes it all the more galling he might only play one game at the tournament.

Prediction: Getting out of the group would be a major achievement but Hiddink has the tactical nous to do it. The quarterfinals are not likely to be bettered, however.

Greece

Lightning will of course not strike twice but Greece are not likely to arrive bearing any gifts and we write them off at our peril. Other countries have better squads but the Greeks are a proven team, one that equals more than the sum of its parts.

They are in the Finals on merit, topping their qualifying group by dropping just five points from a possible 36, and they are coached by the same man - Otto Rehhagel - who guided them to success in Portugal.

The spine of the team is pretty much the same but Rehhagel has a far stronger bench this time giving him more options if things aren't working. Just like last time, Greece will soak up opposition attacks and launch sudden counters.

But this time, opponents will know what to expect and won't be caught out quite so easily.

Player to Watch: Fanis Getas. Expect the ex-Bochum striker to be Greece's main weapon having scored 20 goals in the Bundesliga earning a move to Bayer Leverkuesen.
Prediction: They certainly won't be disgraced given Otto Rehhagel's canny tactics.

Sweden

Most observers reckon the Swedes peaked at Euro 2004 but the evergreen Henrik Larsson's recall has lifted spirits. All of Sweden hopes Larsson can repeat his terrific form of four years ago but it is the supremely gifted Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan's 26-year-old striker, on whose shoulders Swedish hopes principally lie. The traditional Swedish virtues of solid organisation, physical strength and strong team spirit are virtually guaranteed and coach Lars Lagerback believes his side are quite capable of emulating Greece's title run of four years ago.

Player to Watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Regarded by many as the finest striker in Europe, now is the time the Inter Milan frontman has to prove it if Sweden are to have any chance.
Prediction: Third in the group though they could easily finish second if everything goes according to plan.

Spain

The great under-achievers (along of course with England), is this the time that Spain finally comes good? So prolific are the Spanish up front that they could afford to leave Raul out of the squad but how will they cope with the weight of history on their shoulders and could they once again end up flying home prematurely? That has happened with alarming regularity.

Always among the favourites, Spain have a nasty habit of producing one impressive performance before bowing out. As usual they are being heavily tipped and it's easy to see why. Technically they must be the best unit in the tournament with a midfield comprising Xavi, Fabregas and Iniesta plus the incomparable Casillas in goal. Ultimately, self-belief could be their biggest hurdle.

Player to watch: Fernando Torres. After such a prolific first season with Liverpool, the goalscoring hero will hope to maintain his scoring streak on the international stage.

Prediction: Winners at last – they would certainly be popular champions – but only provided they keep their nerve and can get past Germany in the final.

Austria

Much to their embarrassment, the Austrians enter the tournament with the tag of being the poorest hosts in the history of the event. Skipper Andreas Ivanschitz, who plays his club football in Greece and is known as the Austrian David Beckham, carries a heavy burden as the major goal threat from midfield.

The co-hosts are relying on his trusty left foot to do some damage but the fact remains that Austria have never qualified for the European Championship and probably wouldn't have got to this one had they not been hosting.

Last qualification of any sort was for the 1998 World Cup in France though a nation holds its breath to see whether they can repeat their 1978 heroics when they sensationally knocked arch-rivals Germany out of the World Cup. Although solid at the back, Austria's principal problem will be scoring goals even though they got three in a 4-3 defeat by the Netherlands in March.

Player to watch: Emanuel Pogatetz. Austria have few players with experience in Europe's major leagues and Middlesbrough's 25-year-old hard man could be crucial in defence alongside Spartak Moscow's Martin Stranzl
Prediction: Of the two hosts, Austria are least likely to have a successful tournament. Although by no means in the toughest group, but they will have to cause an almighty upset to get through

Poland

Qualified in hugely impressive style from a difficult group and finished top of the pile. Coached by the veteran Leo Beenhakker, who has been at the top of his trade for the best part of 35 years, they will not be lacking in organisation.

Although they have had World Cup success, this is Poland's first Euro qualification and the whole country is awaiting the clash with Germany with intense excitement given the two nations' historical and political rivalry. In Celtic's Artur Boruc they have a top-class goalkeeper but after their insipid showing at the World Cup two years ago, little will be expected of them.

Player to watch: Ebi Smolarek. The 27-year-old Racing Santander striker, whose dad Wlodzimierz played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finals, struck nine goals in qualifying to become a national hero.

Prediction: The group gives them some hope, but in truth Germany and Croatia should prove too strong, whatever the wily Beenhakker conjures up.

Germany

Never bet against the Germans, the old saying goes, and the same principle applies this time. The country broke records by hammering San Marino 13-0 away from home in qualifying, and were the first to make it through to the finals.

Although they eventually conceded top spot to the Czech Republic, they were ravaged by injury at the time. Continuity was assured when Joachim Lowe took over after the success of a Jurgen Klinsmann-inspired 2006 World Cup. Lowe has since emerged as a fine manager in his own right and the euphoria that accompanied the free-scoring World Cup exploits has survived.

As far as weaknesses go, they do look a bit thin as a creative force while Miroslav Klose has no obvious strike partner.

Player to watch: Michael Ballack. The Chelsea man enjoyed a far more productive second season in the Premier League than his first and will be a model leader to the young players around him.

Prediction: Playing on their own doorstep in countries that speak the same language and still buoyed by their World Cup displays two years ago, it is easy to see why Germany are so highly fancied. Not the best team in the championship perhaps but a very dangerous one who should at least reach the final.

Croatia

Manager Slaven Bilic wants to prove that qualification at the expense of England was no fluke and that his country can go even further. However, losing Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva to that horrendous leg injury was a massive blow, the Brazilian-born striker having scored more than a third of Croatia's tally in qualifying.

He will be hard to replace but teamwork is Croatia's strength and you can bet they will pull together. For a country that is only 17 years old, they have good players in every position and should not be underestimated. With Nico Kovac holding, Luka Modric will be given the freedom to pick apart defences with his cultured right foot.

Player to watch: Luka Modric. Just signed by Tottenham, the playmaker is the heartbeat of the side, Bilic believing that only Kaka is better.

Prediction: Second in the group behind Germany and after that, who knows? A quarterfinal clash with Portugal, if they get that far, should be a class act.

Italy

When you are in a Group of Death you need your best players so the world champions will be devastated to have lost their skipper Fabio Cannavaro after he tore ligaments in his left ankle during training. The Real Madrid defender collided with Giorgio Chiellini in a practice match at Italy's base in Austria and was immediately ruled out of the competition.

Cannavaro, 34, has been capped 116 times and skippered Italy to 2006 World Cup glory winning the World Player of the Year award. The emergence of Andrea Barzagli will slightly cushion the blow but Cannavaro's absence has heaped even more pressure on coach Roberto Donadoni ahead of that critical opening game against the Netherlands.

Donadoni lacks managerial experience in pressure-cooker situations and will also, remember, be without the retired Nesta and Totti. Italy certainly have the class to get out of the group relatively comfortably but at the same time they could suffer without their trusted linchpins.

Player to Watch: Luca Toni. For Italy to win the title, the man who scored 39 goals for Bayern Munich last season needs to find the net regularly. If he does, he could be the star of the tournament.

Prediction: Missing the cunning of their World Cup coach Marcelo Lippi, Italy may struggle to hit the heights of two years ago and must be wary of not being eliminated immediately in such a fearsome-looking group. If, and it's a big if, they safely negotiate their passage, the semifinal at least surely beckons.

France

Having sneaked into the finals after a campaign marked by a succession of draws and a couple of unexpected defeats, the French will need to improve. Raymond Domenech has come under fierce criticism for sticking with his most experienced players but after a slow start two years ago he led them to the World Cup final and will be looking for something similar this time.

Skipper Patrick Vieira will be forced to sit out the opening game against Romania through injury but the two-time winners have a squad of such quality the likes of Gael Clichy and David Trezeguet never even made it.

Hatem Ben Arfa is being touted as the heir apparent to the incomparable Zinedine Zidane but there must be question marks about whether the pace-lacking old timers – the likes of Claude Makalele, William Gallas and Lilian Thuram – will be able to survive the bombardments that will come their way in the Group of Death.

Player to Watch: Franck Ribery. The Bayern playmaker is crucial to France's hopes in terms of creativity and getting the ball to the array of forward talent.
Prediction: On their game, they have the players to beat anyone and if Domenech gets it right, France will be very difficult to beat. In the 'Group of Death' anything could happen, but they are possible champions, no question. On the other hand, they might easily lose to Spain in the quarterfinals.

Holland

Having qualified with a game to spare, they nevertheless finished three points behind the Romanians and now face them again. With a reputation for self-destruction, Marco van Basten must make sure his team are on the ball mentally as well as on the pitch. With Clarence Seedorf and the injured Ryan Babel missing, Holland will need all their other key names to perform, not least Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Dutch midfield is as good as any in the competition but opening against Italy and France will push them to their limits straight away. In goal, skipper Edwin van der Sar takes part in his fourth Euros and after two penalty shoot-out defeats and a semifinal loss to Portugal last time around, he will be hoping for more luck this time.

Player to Watch: Rafael van der Vaart. Alongside Wesley Sneijder, he has a great chance to stamp his authority on the tournament in the same way he has been doing for Hamburg in the German league.
Prediction: May struggle to get out of their group if France and Italy bring anything like their top form into the tournament. The cautious Van Basten, a legend up front in his playing days, may need to change his style if they are to repeat their success of 1988.

Romania

This is Romania's first major finals for eight years and with most of their midfield players preferring a defensive role, their challenge will be getting the ball to Adrian Mutu whose career has been transformed since he left England for Italy. Mutu's partnership with 22-year-old Stuttgart striker Ciprian Marica blossomed during qualifying as they bagged 11 goals between them.

In defence, they have the experienced pairing of Chivu and Contra but coach Victor Piturca seems unsure of his best team, having used 39 players during qualifying.
Player to watch: Adrian Mutu. The former Chelsea striker, sacked in 2004 after he tested positive for cocaine, is Romania's creative outlet.

Prediction: Should scare the pants off the other Group of Death teams but not quite enough class to advance into the last eight.