Euro 2012 preview

Group A
Arguably the most difficult section to call, Group A features three previous champions (Czech Republic, Greece and Russia) alongside co-hosts Poland whose only other appearance in the finals was in 2008. World rankings would suggest that Russia and Greece are favourites to advance into the quarter-finals but such is the quality of Group B, don't bank on any of these sides featuring in the last four of the competition.

Prediction
1. Russia
2. Greece
3. Czech Republic
4. Poland

Czech Republic
World ranking: 26
Manager: Michal Bilek (Czech Republic)
Danger man: Tomáš Rosický
Route to the finals: Runners-up in Group I (Beat Montenegro 3-0 on aggregate in the play-offs)
Previous best: 1976 (Winners)
2008 performance: Group stage
Prediction: Group stage

Greece                                  
World ranking: 14
Manager: Fernando Santos (Portugal)
Danger man: Sotiris Ninis
Route to the finals: Winners of Group F  
Previous best: 2004 (Winners)
2008 performance: Group stage 
Prediction: Quarter-finals

Poland
World ranking: 65 
Manager: Franciszek Smuda (Poland)
Danger man: Robert Lewandowski
Route to the finals: Co-hosts
Previous best: 2008 (Group stage)
2008 performance: Group stage
Prediction: Group stage

Russia
World ranking: 11 
Manager: Dick Advocaat (Netherlands)
Danger man: Aleksandr Kerzhakov
Route to the finals: Winners of Group B
Previous best: 1960 (Winners)
2008 performance: Semi-finals 
Prediction: Quarter-finals

Group B
Aptly known as the 'group of death', Group B promises to be an intriguing battle between four teams with plenty of pedigree. 1992 champions Denmark will generally be perceived as the rank outsiders, however, they did top their qualifying group which included Portugal. Germany and the Netherlands are amongst the favourites to go all the way but don't count out the Portuguese who have the formidable figure of Cristiano Ronaldo at their disposal.

Prediction
1. Germany
2. Holland
3. Portugal
4. Denmark

Denmark
World ranking: 10 
Manager: Morten Per Olsen (Denmark)
Danger man: Christian Eriksen
Route to the finals: Winners of Group H
Previous best: 1992 (Winners)
2008 performance: Did not qualify
Prediction: Group stage

Netherlands
World ranking: 4
Manager: Bert van Marwijk (Netherlands) 
Danger man: Arjen Robben
Route to the finals: Winners of Group E
Previous best: 1988 (Winners)
2008 performance: Quarter-finals
Prediction: Semi-finals

Germany
World ranking: 2 
Manager: Joachim Löw (Germany)
Danger man: Mesut Özil
Route to the finals: Winners of Group A
Previous best: 1972, 1980 and 1996 (Winners)
2008 performance: Final
Prediction: Winners

Portugal
World ranking: 5 
Manager: Paulo Bento (Portugal) 
Danger man: Cristiano Ronaldo
Route to the finals: Runners-up in Group H (Beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 6-2 on aggregate in the play-offs)
Previous best: 2004 (Finalists)
2008 performance: Quarter-finals
Prediction: Group stage

Group C
World and European champions Spain stand out from the crowd in Group C but the second qualification spot is there for the taking. Italy face the unenviable task of going up against the holders in the group's opening match and both the Republic of Ireland and Croatia will be desperate to steel a march on the Azzurri when they meet later the same night.

Prediction
1. Spain
2. Croatia
3. Italy
4. Republic of Ireland

Croatia
World ranking: 8 
Manager: Slaven Bilić (Croatia)
Danger man: Luka Modric
Route to the finals: Runners-up in Group F (Beat Turkey 3-0 on aggregate in the play-offs)
Previous best: 1996 and 2008 (Quarter-finalists)
2008 performance: Quarter-finals
Prediction: Quarter-finals

Italy
World ranking: 12
Manager: Cesare Prandelli (Italy)
Danger man: Antonio Cassano
Route to the finals: Winners of Group C
Previous best: 1968 (Winners)
2008 performance: Quarter-finals 
Prediction: Group stage

Republic of Ireland
World ranking: 18 
Manager: Giovanni Trapattoni (Italy)
Danger man: Robbie Keane
Route to the finals: Runners-up in Group B (Beat Estonia 5-1 on aggregate in the play-offs)
Previous best: 1964 (Quarter-finalists)
2008 performance: Did not qualify
Prediction: Group stage 

Spain
World ranking: 1
Manager: Vicente del Bosque (Spain)
Danger man: Andrés Iniesta
Route to the finals: Winners of Group I
Previous best: 1964 and 2008 (Winners)
2008 performance: Winners
Prediction: Final 

Group D
There is a real sense of unpredictability surrounding Group D. Will England and France live up to their potential or will they flop on the big stage once more? Sweden have the ability to upset the apple cart if either side flatters to deceive and Ukraine will not want to go out on a whim as co-hosts. Anything could happen.

Prediction
1. France
2. England
3. Sweden
4. Ukraine

England
World ranking: 7 
Manager: Roy Hodgson (England)
Danger man: Steven Gerrard
Route to the finals: Winners of Group G
Previous best: 1968 and 1996 (Semi-finalists)
2008 performance: Did not qualify
Prediction: Quarter-finals

France
World ranking: 16 
Manager: Laurent Blanc (France)
Danger man: Karim Benzema
Route to the finals: Winners of Group D
Previous best: 1984 and 2000 (Winners)
2008 performance: Group stage
Prediction: Semi-finals

Sweden
World ranking: 17
Manager: Erik Hamrén (Sweden)
Danger man: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Route to the finals: Runners-up in Group E (Qualified as the best runners-up with 24 points)
Previous best: 1992 (Semi-finalists)
2008 performance: Group stage
Prediction: Group stage

Ukraine
World ranking: 50
Manager: Oleh Blokhin (Ukraine)
Danger man: Andriy Shevchenko
Route to the finals: Co-hosts
Previous best: First appearance in the finals
2008 performance: Did not qualify
Prediction: Group stage