Chances this time around? The Czechs have a chance to get to the knockout stages but only because the pool is so weak. They picked up a lucky draw in Scotland to get them into the play-offs and there won’t be any run to the final like in England ’96.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Sneezing Panda. Big surprise if something happens.
Euro record: 1980 (first round), 2004 (winners), 2008 (first round).
Chances this time around?: Hey, they won it before right? Like 2004, they go into this summer’s tournament on an impressive run of form, with new boss Fernando Santos unbeaten in 17 matches until November’s defeat to Romania.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Numa Numa guy; when I’m feeling blue I turn this on. And the cash-strapped Greeks can lift their nation, just like, eh… the Numa Numa guy.
Chances this time around? They’re at the party because it’s in their house. And who knows how far they can go thanks to a handy draw in the group stage. A laundry list of friendlies has included a victory over Argentina and draws with Germany and Portugal, but also defeats to Lithuania and Australia. So who the hell knows.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: How to wake up a kid; it’s party time, Poland.
Chances this time around? Pushed all the way in the qualifiers by Ireland despite an impressive win in Dublin. If they get firing — like they did four years ago — they’ll easily book a last-eight spot and perhaps more.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: The Potter Puppet Pals. Explanation is obvious.
Chances this time around: For what it’s worth – meet my picks as tournament winners. Low’s men have improved since being beaten by Spain in the last two major championships and must be favourites among the sides looking to stop the Spaniards’ quest for three titles on the trot.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Will Spain’s hat-trick be Rick-rolled?
HOLLAND
Coach: Bert van Marwijk
Top man: Robin van Persie. you may have heard of him.
Chances this time around? A strong team ethic took them all the way to the World Cup final in 2010 and few would bet against them repeating the trick in Poland and Ukraine if they can get out of the group. They’ll be there or thereabouts with RVP in the mix.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Can the Dutch get to the final again? Enter ‘Dramatic Chipmunk’.
Euro record: 1984 (semi-finals), 1996 (quarter-finals), 2004 (runners-up), 2008 (quarter-finals).
Chances this time around? Like him or loath him, you’ll always have a chance if you have CR7 in your team. They hammered Bosnia 6-2 in the play-off to book there place at the finals. One of these lot, Germany and Holland will be heading home early though.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Star Wars kid. Flatters to deceive a little but still very watchable.
Euro record: 1996 (quarter-finals), 2004 (first round), 2008 (quarter-finals).
Chances this time around? We’re thinking if Ireland beat the Croats they’re in with a shot. Bilic will be telling his players the same ahead of their pool opener. Though they have Modric in the midfield they’re not to be confused with the superb teams the country produced in the 1990s.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Back Dorm Boys doing As Long As You Love Me. Serious tekkers amd red tracksuits.
Chances this time around? They’ll fancy themselves to go through along with the world champions . They showed their potential by beating Spain last August but the Boys in Green came out on top against the Azzurri last time out.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Taiwanese guy singing Mariah Careh; you think he’s gonna be rubbish but then comes good.
Top man: Stephen Hu… no, let’s go with Robbie Keane
Euro record: 1988 (robbed in the first round).
Chances this time around? After so many European Championship qualifying failures and the handball storm which cost them a place at the 2010 World Cup, Ireland finally have something to celebrate again. They took full advantage of a dream play-off draw against Estonia and, despite being in a nightmare group, expect them to spring at least one surprise in Poland and Ukraine.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: They’ll give it a lash but…
Chances this time around: Not invincible – as Argentina, Portugal, Italy and England have all demonstrated since the World Cup – but still probably the best team on the planet and favourites to make it a hat-trick of major championship wins. If they play like they can, they may be almost impossible to stop but, in Group C, do not rule anything out.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: They build up slow, but get through in the end…
Chances this time around: England have arguably never gone into a major championship in worse shape and with expectations so low. Add to that an extremely tough draw and only the most patriotic fan would give them any chance of getting beyond the quarter-finals, with an unbeaten 2011 already looking a long time ago.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Charlie bit my finger: starts out as a bit of fun and quickly descends into tears.
Chances this time around? May not have fancied a group against England before Fabio Capello’s resignation, but now will be rubbing their hands together. Despite only narrowly avoiding the play-offs, France were unbeaten in 18 games heading into May. Providing they avoid a repeat of their mutinous World Cup campaign, they have the talent to reach at least the semi-finals, as their friendly win in Germany earlier this year proved.
Chances this time around? With Zlatan in the team, anything is possible. With England in transition, they will fancy their chances of making the quarter-finals.
Chances this time around? Hey, it’s their party, right? Blokhin’s re-appointment a year ago has revitalised the national team in the nick of time and they have won five and drawn one – with Germany no less – of their last six matches heading into May. Could cause some drama in the group.
YouYube link that sums them up: Afro Ninja. Falling flat.
Team-by-team: here’s your guide to all the sides at this year’s Euros
Good at football: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, England striker Wayne Rooney and Spain’s playmaker Xavi.
GROUP A
CZECH REPUBLIC
Coach: Michal Bilek
Top man: Petr Cech
Euro record: 1960 (third place*), 1976 (winners*), 1980 (third place*), 1996 (runners-up), 2000 (first round), 2004 (semi-finals), 2008 (first round). *As Czechoslovakia; remember them?
Chances this time around? The Czechs have a chance to get to the knockout stages but only because the pool is so weak. They picked up a lucky draw in Scotland to get them into the play-offs and there won’t be any run to the final like in England ’96.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Sneezing Panda. Big surprise if something happens.
YouTube credit: jimvwmoss
GREECE
Coach: Fernando Santos
Top man: Sotiris Ninis
Euro record: 1980 (first round), 2004 (winners), 2008 (first round).
Chances this time around?: Hey, they won it before right? Like 2004, they go into this summer’s tournament on an impressive run of form, with new boss Fernando Santos unbeaten in 17 matches until November’s defeat to Romania.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Numa Numa guy; when I’m feeling blue I turn this on. And the cash-strapped Greeks can lift their nation, just like, eh… the Numa Numa guy.
YouTube credit: xloserkidx
POLAND
Coach: Franciszek Smuda
Top man: Jakub Blaszczykowski
Euro record: 2008 (first round).
Chances this time around? They’re at the party because it’s in their house. And who knows how far they can go thanks to a handy draw in the group stage. A laundry list of friendlies has included a victory over Argentina and draws with Germany and Portugal, but also defeats to Lithuania and Australia. So who the hell knows.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: How to wake up a kid; it’s party time, Poland.
YouTube credit: estebanreyes83
RUSSIA
Coach: Dick Advocaat
Top man: Andrey Arshavin. Seriously.
Previous appearances: 1960 (winners*), 1964 (runners-up*), 1968 (fourth place*), 1972 (runners-up*), 1988 (runners-up*), 1992 (first round*), 1996 (first round), 2004 (first round), 2008 (semi-finals).
* As USSR or CIS
Chances this time around? Pushed all the way in the qualifiers by Ireland despite an impressive win in Dublin. If they get firing — like they did four years ago — they’ll easily book a last-eight spot and perhaps more.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: The Potter Puppet Pals. Explanation is obvious.
YouTube credit: NeilCicierega
GROUP B
DENMARK
Coach: Morten Olsen
Top man: Christian Eriksen
Euro record: 1964 (semi-finals), 1984 (semi-finals), 1988 (first round), 1992 (winners), 1996 (first round), 2000 (first round), 2004 (quarter-finals).
Chances this time around: It’s an awful draw for the shock 1992 champions, although another surprise cannot be ruled out entirely 20 years on.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Dog on a bike. I like watching them.
YouTube credit: courteous1
GERMANY
Coach: Joachim Low
Top man: Mesut Ozil
Euro record: 1972 (winners*), 1976 (runners-up*), 1980 (winners*), 1984 (first round*), 1988 (semi-finals*), 1992 (runners-up), 1996 (winners), 2000 (first round), 2004 (first round), 2008 (runners-up).
* As West Germany
Chances this time around: For what it’s worth – meet my picks as tournament winners. Low’s men have improved since being beaten by Spain in the last two major championships and must be favourites among the sides looking to stop the Spaniards’ quest for three titles on the trot.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Will Spain’s hat-trick be Rick-rolled?
HOLLAND
Coach: Bert van Marwijk
Top man: Robin van Persie. you may have heard of him.
Euro record: 1976 (third place), 1980 (first round), 1988 (winners), 1992 (semi-finals), 1996 (quarter-finals), 2000 (semi-finals), 2004 (semi-finals), 2008 (quarter-finals).
Chances this time around? A strong team ethic took them all the way to the World Cup final in 2010 and few would bet against them repeating the trick in Poland and Ukraine if they can get out of the group. They’ll be there or thereabouts with RVP in the mix.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Can the Dutch get to the final again? Enter ‘Dramatic Chipmunk’.
YouTube credit: DudeSimpson
PORTUGAL
Coach: Paulo Bento
Top man: Cristiano Ronaldo
Euro record: 1984 (semi-finals), 1996 (quarter-finals), 2004 (runners-up), 2008 (quarter-finals).
Chances this time around? Like him or loath him, you’ll always have a chance if you have CR7 in your team. They hammered Bosnia 6-2 in the play-off to book there place at the finals. One of these lot, Germany and Holland will be heading home early though.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Star Wars kid. Flatters to deceive a little but still very watchable.
YouTube credit: raze7ds
GROUP C
CROATIA
Coach: Slaven Bilic
Top man: Luka Modric
Euro record: 1996 (quarter-finals), 2004 (first round), 2008 (quarter-finals).
Chances this time around? We’re thinking if Ireland beat the Croats they’re in with a shot. Bilic will be telling his players the same ahead of their pool opener. Though they have Modric in the midfield they’re not to be confused with the superb teams the country produced in the 1990s.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Back Dorm Boys doing As Long As You Love Me. Serious tekkers amd red tracksuits.
YouTube credit: duncanmeister
ITALY
Coach: Cesare Prandelli
Top man: Mario Balottelli
Euro record: 1968 (winners), 1980 (fourth place), 1988 (semi-finals), 1996 (first round), 2000 (runners-up), 2004 (first round), 2008 (quarter-finals).
Chances this time around? They’ll fancy themselves to go through along with the world champions . They showed their potential by beating Spain last August but the Boys in Green came out on top against the Azzurri last time out.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Taiwanese guy singing Mariah Careh; you think he’s gonna be rubbish but then comes good.
YouTube credit: 1music4all
IRELAND
Coach: Giovanni Trapattoni
Top man: Stephen Hu… no, let’s go with Robbie Keane
Euro record: 1988 (robbed in the first round).
Chances this time around? After so many European Championship qualifying failures and the handball storm which cost them a place at the 2010 World Cup, Ireland finally have something to celebrate again. They took full advantage of a dream play-off draw against Estonia and, despite being in a nightmare group, expect them to spring at least one surprise in Poland and Ukraine.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: They’ll give it a lash but…
YouTube credit: bestlaugher
SPAIN
Coach: Vicente Del Bosque
Top man: Iniesta for me, Jeff
Euro record: 1964 (winners), 1980 (first round), 1984 (runners-up), 1988 (first round), 1996 (quarter-finals), 2000 (quarter-finals), 2004 (first round), 2008 (winners).
Chances this time around: Not invincible – as Argentina, Portugal, Italy and England have all demonstrated since the World Cup – but still probably the best team on the planet and favourites to make it a hat-trick of major championship wins. If they play like they can, they may be almost impossible to stop but, in Group C, do not rule anything out.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: They build up slow, but get through in the end…
YouTube credit: TrakaBat
GROUP D
ENGLAND
Coach: Roy Hodgson
Top man: With Wayne Rooney out for the first two games, it’s still Wayne Rooney.
Euro record: 1968 (third place), 1980 (first round), 1988 (first round), 1992 (first round), 1996 (semi-finals), 2000 (first round), 2004 (quarter-finals).
Chances this time around: England have arguably never gone into a major championship in worse shape and with expectations so low. Add to that an extremely tough draw and only the most patriotic fan would give them any chance of getting beyond the quarter-finals, with an unbeaten 2011 already looking a long time ago.
One YouTube clip that sums them up: Charlie bit my finger: starts out as a bit of fun and quickly descends into tears.
youTube credit: HDCYT
FRANCE
Coach: Laurent Blanc
Top man: Karim Benzema arrives in Ukraine after an unusually happy year in Madrid.
Euro record: 1960 (fourth place), 1984 (winners), 1992 (first round), 1996 (semi-finals), 2000 (winners), 2004 (quarter-finals), 2008 (first round).
Chances this time around? May not have fancied a group against England before Fabio Capello’s resignation, but now will be rubbing their hands together. Despite only narrowly avoiding the play-offs, France were unbeaten in 18 games heading into May. Providing they avoid a repeat of their mutinous World Cup campaign, they have the talent to reach at least the semi-finals, as their friendly win in Germany earlier this year proved.
SWEDEN
Coach: Erik Hamren
Star man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Euro record: 1992 (semi-finals), 2000 (first round), 2004 (quarter-finals), 2008 (first round).
Chances this time around? With Zlatan in the team, anything is possible. With England in transition, they will fancy their chances of making the quarter-finals.
YouTube: Rope swing faceplant.
YouTube : undergroundohio
UKRAINE
Coach: Oleg Blokhin
Top man: Andriy Shevchenko
Euro record: None.
Chances this time around? Hey, it’s their party, right? Blokhin’s re-appointment a year ago has revitalised the national team in the nick of time and they have won five and drawn one – with Germany no less – of their last six matches heading into May. Could cause some drama in the group.
YouYube link that sums them up: Afro Ninja. Falling flat.
YouTube credit: airmoney
Expert views: Who will win Euro 2012?
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Aviva Stadium Damien Duff Editor's picks Estonia Euro 2012 Euro2012 FAI Giovanni Trapattoni John O’Shea Keith Andrews Kevin Doyle Lansdowne Rd Richard Dunne Robbie Keane Sean St Ledger; Glenn Whelan Shay Given Stephen hunt Stephen Ward