European Championship 2008 group by group analysis, by Emmet Malone.
Portugal
Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Star Players:Cristiano Ronaldo is just one of the survivors from the side that was beaten by Greece in the 2004 final. Great central defensive pairing in Ricardo Carvalho and Real Madrid's Pepe, while Deco has the potential to again be one of the tournament's really big players although it has not been the best of years for him at Barcelona.
Previous tournaments:Have qualified four times and really should have won the tournament on home soil four years ago.
Prospects:There's plenty of confidence at home and there should be plenty of chances but last time around the lack of a striker who could turn them in against the better sides proved costly and there's little enough to suggest that that has changed since.
Betting:15/2.
Switzerland
Manager:Kobi Kuhn.
Star Players:There's a fair bit of quality and experience through the team but a real shortage of standout stars. Nevertheless, Philippe Senderos, who hasn't quite progressed as anticipated at Arsenal, Philipp Degan, Pascal Zuberbuhler (or Diego Benaglio) and Alexander Frei provide the backbone of a decent team. Young Tranquillo Barnetta looked promising at the World Cup and could be a key contributor on the left this time.
Previous tournaments:Have qualified a couple of times but never made it out of their group.
Prospects:The tournament could do with one of the hosts avoiding a very early exit and the Swiss certainly look the more likely but a place in the quarters would be a major achievement given the strength of their rivals.
Betting:22/1.
Turkey
Manager:Fatih Terim.
Star Players:The hope is that Nihat Kahveci will provide the goals, possibly with the help from Tuncay Sanli but the team's real strength is in midfield where, if they all perform, there are enough talented players to seriously trouble the group's better sides. Mehmet Aurelio is an effective ball-winner but they may miss Yildiray Basturk's ability to move it forward after injury problems this season cost him his place in the squad.
Previous tournaments: Have qualified twice, sparking wild celebrations at home when they made the quarter-finals in 2000.
Prospects: After coming through one of the less challenging qualifying groups it is difficult to gauge their strength, but they would appear to have a decent shot at emulating their performance of eight years ago and turning into one of the tournament's surprise packages.
Betting:50/1.
Czech Republic
Manager: Karel Bruckner.
Star Players:Will sorely miss the injured Tomas Rosicky but Zdenek Grygera, Tomas Ujfalusi and Marek Jankulovski are all top-class defenders, Milan Baros and Jan Koller both average better than a goal every two games and, in Petr Cech, they possess one of Europe's best goalkeepers.
Previous tournaments:Winners in 1976 as one half of Czechoslovakia, their best showing in more recent times came four years ago when they reached the last four.
Prospects:If they avoid the partying that cost them dear at the last World Cup they should get to the quarters after which they would certainly be capable of posing a threat to any of the more fancied sides.
Betting: 14/1.
