The Euro 2008 teams presentation
Group A
Switzerland
Switzerland has never seemed as well positioned to compete with the best European nations. The players of Köbi Kuhn already played an excellent World Cup in 2006, defeating France and losing against Ukraine only after the shoot out.
Czech Republic
The golden generation of 1996 went almost into retirement. But the new generation has arrived! This one went on to beat Germany 3-0 at home during the qualifications.
Portugal
Portugal wants revenge! After the disappointment of 2004 at home, the Portuguese want to take their revenge outside of their country and finally win a major competition. Everything is possible with their highly technical players whose star is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Turkey
The selection of Turkey has not been confirmed after its semi-final of the World Cup in 2002. The Turks did not participate in the Euro 2004 or the World Cup 2006. Also the Euro 2008 preliminaries have not been particularly pleasant. But anything is possible!
Group B
Austria
In just over six months of its Euro, the Austrian selection is not ready ... We had to wait until October to see the first victory of the year of the Austrian selection. Not very reassuring for the year preceding a European Championship at home.
Croatia
Croatia has completed the qualification at the top of Group E, ahead of Russia, but especially by eliminating England in the last game. Citing a scorer out of the ordinary, the young Eduardo Da Silva who came from Brazil, the team could create a surprise again in June.
Germany
After a beautiful World Cup 2006, Germany is again one of the favourites of a major competition. Germany could not stay behind for long. After ten years of hunger this team is back in front.
Poland
With 28 points, Poland still finished on top of their qualifying group, ahead of Portugal. A feat that reminds the great performance of the team at the 2006 World cup even if they were not out of the first round.
Group C
Netherlands
The Netherlands is still there, always among the favourites, rarely able to go at the end. The 2008 team is just like its predecessors. Composed of a multitude of stars, the Oranje team was not convincing during the qualifications, but remains a formidable opponent.
Italy
The world champions are, with France, the biggest customers to win the Euro. They first suffered during the qualifications, but they are qualified. Otherwise it is a near perfect course for the Squadra Azzurra.
Romania
Romania discovers new ambitions, qualifying easily ahead of the Netherlands. The Romanian team could be one of the surprises of the Euro, with an attack on fire composed of players very skilled technically.
France
The French team is without doubt one of the favourites of the Euro, it will try to win for the 3rd time. But it will have to erase some weaknesses. The great strength of the French team in recent years has been their defense, now less robust. The attack seems to be greater than before.
Group D
Greece
No one expected it, but it is Greece who won the Euro 2004. The Greek players have been able to rely on a very solid defense to win the final against Portugal. Since then, the team, a little aging, is not at its best. They did not qualify for the World Cup 2006.
Sweden
The yellow and blue had difficulties qualifying, although it is made of good players. They will have to play better for this Euro if they wish to improve the quarterfinals place they achieved at the Euro 1992; their best result in this competition until today.
Spain
Among the favourites of the last World cup, Spain has already lost in the second round. And it was not really the first time this happened to the Iberians. Often seen as the winner, the selection disappoints regularly during the final steps.
Russia
It is a miracle to have Russia in this Euro. This team has a real potential with the young striker Bilyaletdinov, 22 years old, already a star in Russia.