Czech Republic

The Czechs, not only managed to qualify to the Euro 2008, but they did it in such an impressive style that they were considered one of the best squads of all the qualification groups. 4 wins in the last 4 matches and an amazing performance and 0-3 win in Munich over Germany were more than enough.

Portugal

Luiz Felipe Scolari and his boys probably haven't managed yet to get over the surprise loss of the European crown on the previous Championship, hosted in Portugal, when they lost in the Final from Greece.

Switzerland

The co-hosts of the UEFA Euro 2008 have their 3^rd chance this year to mange to qualify from the group stage to the KO stage. In both their previous appearances in the European Championships Finals, Euro 1996 and 2004 they managed to end up with only 1 point and as a result they didn't have what it was need to qualify.

Turkey

After a rollercoaster of a qualifying round, Turkey managed to qualify as 2^nd of their group, behind Greece, and now on their 3^rd appearance in the European Championships Finals, they seem determined to impress European football. 

Austria

Austria will be appearing at their first European Championship finals when they co-host the tournament with Switzerland next year. And while everybody in the country is convinced that the event organisation will be perfect, the expectations for the team are very low.

Croatia

Reaching major tournaments is hardly a novelty for Croatia. Croatians have failed to make a World Cup or European Championship only once since 1996 (Euro 2000). But reaching Austria/Switzerland was nevertheless met with euphoria, partly because of the style in which the team did it and the fact they had comfortably bettered England and Russia in the process.

Germany

No sooner had the national team lost to Italy in the 2006 World Cup semi-finals than German players, fans and media pundits were confidently predicting a glorious Euro 2008, and expectations have not diminished since then. No fewer than 54 per cent of respondents in a poll by Kicker magazine said they felt Germany would be victorious in the Final in Vienna on June 29, and they were not merely surfing a wave of patriotic blind faith.

Poland

Poland have suffered disappointing group-stage exits at the last two World Cups, despite what had been described as a good draw in 2002 (South Korea, United States and Portugal) and a dream one in 2006 (Germany, Costa Rica and Ecuador).

France

Two times UEFA European Champions (1984 & 2000) and last FIFA World Cup Finalists, France should always be viewed among the favourites to win the competition. However, first of all, they should be able to qualify to the KO stage from a really difficult group.

Italy

Exactly 40 years ago, in Rome's Stadio Olimpico, "Squadra Azzura" defeated Yugaslavia 2-0. This summer, and

following their golden success on the World Cup 2006, under the guidance of new manager and former national team midfielder Roberto Donadoni, the Italians are determined to go a long way, and why not, to repeat the triumph of 1968 and not the disappointment of 2004.

Netherlands

Twenty years after the triumph against the USSR at the EURO'88, Marco Van Basten, then the star striker, now the manager, prepared for his final fling, as his time on the bench of the Dutch team ends after the EURO'08 campaign.

Romania

Romania, may be considered the outsiders for qualifying given their placement along side world champions Italy, France & the Netherlands in Group C, but as the finals approach they look more & more able for the surprise.

Greece

Greece enter Euro 2008 as the defending champions and having recently beat their Euro 2004 final opponents Portugal 2-1 in a friendly played in Germany.

The Greek team has continued their fairy tale rise up the FIFA world rankings having broken into the top 10 for the first time ever and are currently ranked 8^th. Only Spain rank above them in the group and Greece will rightly be considered favorites to proceed to the quarter finals although their coach Otto Rehhagel or ‘King Otto' as the Greek fans like to call him is quick to play down the favorites tag. 

Russia

Russia squeaked into the Euro 2008 finals by the skin of their teeth, riding their luck all the way to the final 1-0 win against Andorra which coupled with England's 3-2 loss to Croatia at Wembley was enough to put the Russians through at England's expense. Currently ranked 25^th in the FIFA world rankings the Russians might consider themselves lucky to have qualified ahead of the 11^th placed British, but results do not lie.

Spain

Spain is group D's highest ranked team in the FIFA world ratings in 4^th place and with a team full of stars. After an early wobble in their qualifying matches Spain came roaring back to seal their place in the finals with an emphatic 3-0 home victory over their fellow group D contenders Sweden.

Sweden

Sweden will reacquainted with their qualifying rivals Spain looking to emulate their early form which saw them defeat the Spaniards 2-0 at home, but looking to overcome their later problems which saw the Spanish get revenge with a 3-0 thumping in Spain. The Swedish will be pumped up following the recent announcement that a certain Henrik Larsson has been tempted out of international retirement to help bolster their attacking line.