The Teams
Group A - Poland, Russia, Greece, Czech Republic
POLAND - This years joint host will be coming to the tournament on the back of some fine form, only losing one of their last eight friendly matches. That was against a strong Italy side as well. A strong midfield and attack will provide Group A with an attacking flair to spice up what could potentially be the closest group.
Fifa Ranking - 65
Players To Watch - Wojciech Szczesny, Jakub Błaszczykowski, Robert Lewandowski
VERDICT - Quarter Finals
RUSSIA - The largest country in the world, steeped in history, but yet to win a major tournament since 1960. This tournament Russia will have their work cut out if they are to hit the heights of 2008. Back then, an Andrei Arshavin inspired squad reached the semi-finals, but a weak current squad means a repeat seems unlikely.
Fifa Ranking - 11
Players To Watch - Igor Akinfeev, Alan Dzagoev, Pavel Pogrebnyak
VERDICT - Quarter Finals
GREECE - The Euro 2004 champions qualify for yet another major tournament. The lowest scoring qualifiers are the tournaments rank outsiders with an aging squad which shows little creativity, but boasts a mean defence. However against top opposition, it is likely to be exposed.
Fifa Ranking - 14
Players To Watch - Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Ioannis Fetfatzidis, Theofanis Gekas
VERDICT: Group Stage
CZECH REPUBLIC - Semi-Finalists in 1996 and 2004 and seconds away from a quarter-final in 2008, the Czech men love the European Championships. However, it is difficult to see where inspiration will come from this year. Although they qualified well, the quarters should be just out of reach again in 2012
Fifa Ranking - 26
Players To Watch - Tomas Rosicky, Michal Kadlec, Vaclav Kadlec
VERDICT: Group Stage
POLAND - This years joint host will be coming to the tournament on the back of some fine form, only losing one of their last eight friendly matches. That was against a strong Italy side as well. A strong midfield and attack will provide Group A with an attacking flair to spice up what could potentially be the closest group.
Fifa Ranking - 65
Players To Watch - Wojciech Szczesny, Jakub Błaszczykowski, Robert Lewandowski
VERDICT - Quarter Finals
RUSSIA - The largest country in the world, steeped in history, but yet to win a major tournament since 1960. This tournament Russia will have their work cut out if they are to hit the heights of 2008. Back then, an Andrei Arshavin inspired squad reached the semi-finals, but a weak current squad means a repeat seems unlikely.
Fifa Ranking - 11
Players To Watch - Igor Akinfeev, Alan Dzagoev, Pavel Pogrebnyak
VERDICT - Quarter Finals
GREECE - The Euro 2004 champions qualify for yet another major tournament. The lowest scoring qualifiers are the tournaments rank outsiders with an aging squad which shows little creativity, but boasts a mean defence. However against top opposition, it is likely to be exposed.
Fifa Ranking - 14
Players To Watch - Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Ioannis Fetfatzidis, Theofanis Gekas
VERDICT: Group Stage
CZECH REPUBLIC - Semi-Finalists in 1996 and 2004 and seconds away from a quarter-final in 2008, the Czech men love the European Championships. However, it is difficult to see where inspiration will come from this year. Although they qualified well, the quarters should be just out of reach again in 2012
Fifa Ranking - 26
Players To Watch - Tomas Rosicky, Michal Kadlec, Vaclav Kadlec
VERDICT: Group Stage
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