Get the lowdown on the 16 teams, all the top players and every manager ahead of Euro 2012
CZECH REPUBLIC
FIFA RANKING 26
ODDS TO WIN 66-1
EURO BEST Runners-up 1996
State of play Expectations are low for the Czechs after qualifying for the tournament via a play-off win against Montenegro, having missed out on the 2010 World Cup. After reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2004 they have since failed to get past the group stage of any competition.
Key player Theodor Gebre Selassie is the first black player to have represented the Czechs and his marauding runs from right-back and fine crossing will provide an extra dimension out wide.
Achilles heel Two problem areas are in central defence and attack. Milan Baros is still leading the line up front while at the back Hertha Berlin's Roman Hubnik is a potential weak link.
The coach Michal Bilek took the reins ahead of qualifying and after an experimental start he settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation. Bilek represented Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic as a right midfielder and has played for and managed domestic force Sparta Prague.
The fans will … be happy just to get out of the group and dream of a return to the glory days.
The team will … get through a relatively weak pool but come unstuck in the quarter-finals.
GREECE
FIFA RANKING 14
ODDS TO WIN 80-1
EURO BEST Winners 2004
State of play Greece have found relative stability on the pitch over the last decade and this is their third successive appearance at the European Championship. Two members of the triumphant 2004 squad remain in the ranks.
Key man If the Greeks are to have a successful tournament then the enigma that is Theofanis Gekas needs to perform. A volatile striker, he knows how important the Euros are for the country, saying: "I believe that sport is the only thing left for Greece at this moment."
Achilles heel The squad is not short of vocal characters and if players such as Gekas and the fiery Kostas Katsouranis get on each other's backs then there is the possibility of implosion.
The coach Fernando Santos led his side through qualifying unbeaten and has instilled optimism. The Portuguese has continued the fine defensive work of Otto Rehhagel but likes his team set up in a fairly fluent 4-3-3 formation.
The fans will … throw everything into supporting the team as a distraction from events at home.
The team will … hope to get off to a good start against Poland – then anything is possible.
POLAND
FIFA RANKING 65
ODDS TO WIN 50-1
EURO BEST Round of 16 1960
State of play Pressure is on the co-hosts to buck the trend of recent disappointment and give the fans something to cheer about. The Poles are the weakest team in the competition according to Fifa's rankings, but did not have the chance to climb those standings in qualifying matches. Their first ever appearance in the Euros four years ago ended in a group-stage exit after two defeats.
Key man Robert Lewandowski is undoubtedly the star player having scored more than 20 goals for the German champions Borussia Dortmund last season – strong in the air and deadly in the area.
Achilles heel Central defence looks vulnerable, with both full-backs given licence to attack and leaving space that opponents will look to expose.
The coach Franciszek Smuda (right) took over after Poland failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. As a club manager he once lambasted a scout for wasting time on a young Lewandowski.
The fans will … be desperate for a quarter-final against the old enemy Germany, who have snaffled some top Polish talent in recent years.
The team will … either thrive or crumble under the home support at the new stadium in Warsaw.
RUSSIA
FIFA RANKING 11
ODDS TO WIN 25-1
EURO BEST Semi-finals 2008
State of play Semi-finalists four years ago in Austria-Switzerland, Russia missed out on the 2010 World Cup under Guus Hiddink but Dick Advocaat led them to top spot in qualifying. Four years on from that sparkling campaign they have not progressed.
Key man The midfielder-cum-defender Roman Shirokov once made up a story about breaking his leg, but after a poor tournament in 2008 he has the potential to be a key influence.
Achilles heel Russia are more solid in defence than they were under Hiddink but have lost some potency going forward. Andrey Arshavin is still well out of form.
The coach The Dutchman Advocaat will take over at PSV Eindhoven after Euro 2012 but has done a decent job as national coach having previously managed Zenit St Petersburg, making Russia tough to beat in a 4-3-3.
The fans will … be in force and reportedly march through Warsaw before the match with Poland.
The team will… want to please Vladimir Putin, who hopes to meet Germany on the day the second world war began for the Soviet Union.
DENMARK
FIFA RANKING 10
ODDS TO WIN 80-1
EURO BEST Winners 1992
State of play Denmark are one of nine sides to have won the European Championship and were strong in qualifying, losing just once and finishing ahead of Portugal. They have some household names in their side and an experienced manager who has been in place for 12 years.
Key man Christian Eriksen made two substitute appearances as a teenager at the 2010 World Cup and the Ajax attacking midfielder is now a vital part of the starting XI. If he can provide Nicklas Bendtner with enough ammunition up front then the Danes could mean business.
Achilles heel Bendtner (right) is not a player who lacks confidence and is the spearhead of the side as a lone striker. But if he is not firing on all cylinders then they are short of a threatening plan B.
The coach Morten Olsen made more than 100 appearances as a player for Denmark and led his side to the knockout rounds of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, although they did not compete in 2006 or 2008.
The fans will … call for Brian Laudrup if humiliated.
The team will … be underdogs in the "group of death" despite qualifying success over Portugal.
GERMANY
FIFA RANKING 2
ODDS TO WIN 3-1
EURO BEST Winners 1980, 1996
State of play One of the favourites despite a recent, perplexing 5-3 friendly defeat against Switzerland. Won 10 out of 10 in qualifying – but a lot will depend on how the Bayern players respond to losing that Champions Legaue final.
Key man Bastian Schweinsteiger (above). One of those Bayern players who missed a penalty against Chelsea. He has struggled with injuries this season but is, on form, one of the best midfielders in Europe, if not the best.
Achilles heel The centre of defence is a problem area with Per Mertesacker having had a difficult first season with Arsenal. Mats Hummels and Holger Badstuber may be preferred.
The coach Joachim Löw took over from Jürgen Klinsmann in 2006 and has continued to develop the team, playing expansive football with three attacking midfielders behind Miro Klose.
The fans will … want to beat Holland more than anything else, their noisy neighbours.
The team will … progress from the group, dazzle us all with their powerful football before going out to Spain, as they have done in the last two major tournaments.
HOLLAND
FIFA RANKING 4
ODDS TO WIN 13-2
EURO BEST Winners 1988
State of play The runners-up at the last World Cup cantered through their qualifying group and were the continent's top scorers, thanks partially to trouncing San Marino 11-0. Friendly defeats to Germany and Bulgaria ensure arrogance is not a danger. Probably.
Key man Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - given the high-calibre opposition in Group B, the striker will have to take all of the chances that Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben (below) create for him.
Achilles heel Questionable rearguard cover - Holland's first-choice defenders are experienced but the back-ups have very few caps so injuries or suspensions could be costly.
The coach Bert van Marwijk has learned from the World Cup final so is unlikely to switch from slickness to savagery in an attempt to stop other leading sides.
The fans will … carry trombones and converge in huge numbers to form the biggest and most jolly orange entity this side of Dale Winton.
The team will … wear NOT INJURY-PRONE across their shirts in a bid to convince Van Persie, Robben and Rafael van der Vaart.
PORTUGAL
FIFA RANKING 5
ODDS TO WIN 20-1
EURO BEST Runners-up 2004
State of play Having overcome Bosnia-Herzegovina in a play-off, Portugal have been handed a killer draw. They have advanced through their group in every tournament from 2004 onwards and Paulo Bento has improved fortunes after Carlos Queiroz's dismissal.
Key man Cristiano Ronaldo (above) had another phenomenal season with Real Madrid and can win a match singlehandedly on his day. The 27-year-old captain is moving towards the 100-cap mark and will hope to continue his fine domestic form.
Achilles heel There are question marks over a volatile defence with both José Bosingwa and Ricardo Carvalho not travelling after disputes with Bento. The centre-halves Pepe and Bruno Alves played together at Porto and like a tackle.
The coach At 42 Bento is relatively young for an international coach although he spent four years as the manager of Sporting Lisbon. He likes to play attractive football in a 4-3-3 formation.
The fans will … be desperate to meet Iberian rivals Spain after thrashing them 4-0 in a 2010 friendly.
The team will … look good for a semi-final place if they can keep Germany and Holland at bay.
CROATIA
FIFA RANKING 8
ODDS TO WIN 50-1
EURO BEST Quarter-finals 1996, 2008
State of play A play-off victory over Turkey stands Croatia in good stead ahead of this summer's championship and was revenge for their penalties defeat in 2008. Although Italy and Spain will be favourites to advance from the group, Croatia will be keen to make up for lost time after England pipped them to a spot for World Cup 2010.
Key man Luka Modric (below) had another glittering season at the heart of Tottenham's midfield and he will dictate the tempo and get forward wherever possible.
Achilles heel While Modric is regarded as one of the Premier League's best current imports, he has yet to master the art of scoring regularly. Croatia do not have a prolific striker although Everton's Nikica Jelavic could prove a real threat.
The coach Slaven Bilic has been in charge for six years but will move to Lokomotiv Moscow at the end of Euro 2012. Only two coaches at the tournament have been in their position longer.
The fans will … not want to see the back of Bilic, who is held in high esteem by many.
The team will … be a wild card in Group C if they can get the best out of Modric.
ITALY
FIFA RANKING 12
ODDS TO WIN 14-1
EURO BEST Winners 1968
State of play The Azzurri last won a tournament in 2006 when the calciopoli scandal was tearing the domestic game apart. Fast forward six years and fresh match-fixing investigations are afoot, with police raiding the national team's training camp earlier in the week. They qualified unbeaten – dropping only four points.
Key man Antonio Cassano (above) scored six goals in qualifying but admitted fearing for his life after suffering a "mini-stroke" during a Milan team flight in October. After a miraculous recovery he returned to training in January.
Achilles heel While the scandal of 2006 may have galvanised the squad in Germany, it could destabilise it this summer with Domenico Criscito forced out due to the fixing allegations.
The coach Cesare Prandelli replaced Marcello Lippi after the 2010 World Cup and has looked to play more of an expansive game, although Italy typically had the strongest defence in qualifying.
The fans will … hope to heal the wounds of 2010 when the team finished bottom of their group.
The team will … find life difficult against Ireland, who they have not beaten in three attempts.
REP OF IRELAND
FIFA RANKING 18
ODDS TO WIN 80-1
EURO BEST Group stage 1988
State of play The Irish pride themselves on being difficult to beat, having conceded only three goals in their current 13-match unbeaten streak. Luck played a part in reaching the finals but so did discipline and doggedness.
Key man Richard Dunne – during a notable performance in the qualifiers the veteran centre-back repelled constant Russian attacks like an absurd hero from a Flann O'Brien caper and will likely have to repeat such feats if Ireland are to survive clashes with Spain and Italy.
Achilles heel There is a void in the centre of Ireland's midfield, with Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews offering little creativity and not much dynamism, particularly when outnumbered by teams less wedded to 4-4-2.
The coach Giovanni Trapattoni has fostered formidable spirit and organisation but refuses to modify tactics even when his team are being outplayed.
The fans will … dance in Gdansk and pass out in Poznan.
The team will … base their case on possession being one-tenth of the law.
SPAIN
FIFA RANKING 1
ODDS TO WIN 5-2
EURO BEST Winners 1964, 2008
State of play Bidding to win three major competitions on the bounce, Spain are once again the favourites going into Euro 2012. After breaking an international hoodoo of 44 years in 2008, they have not looked back since and possess a squad oozing with quality.
Key man With the talent on offer in midfield and attack, the crucial area could be defence. Carles Puyol misses out on his 100th cap with a knee injury so his Barcelona team-mate Gerard Piqué (above) will need a solid tournament.
Achilles heel It is difficult to pick any holes in the Spanish squad but, with David Villa absent, putting the ball in the back of the net may become an issue. Fernando Torres is a shadow of his former self but Fernando Llorente, Alvaro Negredo and Pedro are capable deputies.
The coach Vicente Del Bosque had a difficult job to meet expectations when taking over from Luis Aragonés but led Spain to a first World Cup.
The fans will … expect a tiki-taka workshop and not fear the favourites tag after success in 2010.
The team will … waltz through a group containing some good sides and reach the latter stages.
England
FIFA RANKING 7
ODDS TO WIN 10-1
EURO BEST 3rd 1968, semi-finals 1996
State of play Fabio Capello's resignation in February threw England's preparations out of the window, with Roy Hodgson having just a few weeks in charge before flying off to Krakow. This will be their first championship in eight years after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
Key man Andy Carroll looks set to play a leading role given Wayne Rooney's suspension for the opening two games. Carroll had a poor season with Liverpool but has begun to find some form.
Achilles heel Goals may be England's problem if Carroll's profligacy in attack does not change. With Rooney waiting in the wings, Jermain Defoe and Danny Welbeck are other options.
The coach Hodgson has international experience but failed to cope with the pressure and expectancy at Liverpool. He will favour two solid banks of four and a tactical approach that focuses on being tough to beat.
The fans will … struggle to reach Donetsk for the opening game against France and go into the tournament not knowing what to expect.
The team will … be watertight in defence, dazzling in attack and thrash Spain in the final.
FRANCE
FIFA RANKING 16
ODDS TO WIN 10-1
EURO BEST Winners 1984, 2000
State of play Les Bleus have disintegrated at the last two tournaments they attended but this time they arrive as a work in progress and seem to be building towards a fine campaign based around maturing talents.
Key man Samir Nasri - when he is truly on song he orchestrates France's attacks beautifully, but has a tendency to play within himself, which can slow down France's buildup play and sap the element of surprise.
Achilles heel France are defensively dodgy, with the centre-backs Philippe Mexès and Adil Rami error-prone and the left-back position a recurring problem.
The coach Laurent Blanc has demanded that his players continue with their enterprising style but play at a higher tempo. He also demands a constant supply of toothpicks to chew throughout matches.
The fans will … celebrate ostentatiously if they win – remember they prefer cycling and boules to football if they lose.
The team will … play England off the park, then take their jobs at Premier League clubs.
SWEDEN
FIFA RANKING 17
ODDS TO WIN 66-1
EURO BEST Semi-finals 1992
State of play Qualified as best runner-ups after finishing second behind Holland in Group E and these days, under new coach Erik Hamren, play a more positive 4-2-3-1 formation than the stifling 4-4-2 of the last decades.
Key man Undoubtedly Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He has his detractors – especially in England – but has played some of his best football this season. As he once told John Carew: "What you can do with a football I can do with an orange."
Achilles heel A cumbersome central defence where Olof Mellberg, at 34, is still the linchpin. West Brom's Jonas Olsson is not much quicker.
The coach Hamren has instilled a more open and carefree atmosphere around the squad
The fans will … stay at a huge Kiev camping site, where they have organised for a heavy metal band, including the former Europe guitarist John Leven, to play Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Metallica covers.
The team will … refuse to lose to England, as they have done for more than 40 years now in competitive matches.
UKRAINE
FIFA RANKING 50
ODDS TO WIN 45-1
EURO BEST –
State of play Going into their first European Championship, Ukraine have looked impressive in friendlies, winning five out of six and drawing with Germany. The 2006 World Cup quarter-finalists failed to qualify for 2010.
Key man Andriy Shevchenko at 35 may not be the force of old but he still knows where the goal is. Back problems have threatened the striker's swansong but he will be desperate to bow out from international football in style on home soil.
Achilles heel If Shevchenko's fitness problems prevent him from making an impact then Ukraine may be short of real quality up front. Marko Devic and Andriy Voronin are ahead of the youngster Andriy Yarmalenko in the forward pecking order.
The coach Oleh Blokhin (above) was also in charge between 2003 and 2007 and is an established figure in Ukraine. He has served two terms in parliament and as a player won the European Footballer of the Year award in 1975.
The fans will … be under the microscope with reports that racist abuse is rife in the country.
The team will … look to employ counterattacking tactics but could come undone at the back. Read More
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