Turkey score twice in the final minutes to gain a surprise place in the quarter finals.

Turkey 3-2 Czech Republic

Euro 2008 Group A - Analysis and Guide

Czech Republic

Portugal

Switzerland

Turkey

Portugal followed by the Czech Republic are the big favourites to progress from Group A, at the expense of joint tournament hosts Switzerland and Turkey.

Portugal

Forecast Group A Winner

Portugal’s hopes of winning the tournament are heavily reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo. The best player in the world has been in fine fettle this season (if you discount his recent penalty taking exploits), and Portugal are certainly not shy of giving Ronnie the ball.

Ronaldo scored a third of Portugal’s goals in qualifying and manager Luiz Felipe Scolari could yet decide to play their talisman as a central striker. Portugal are blessed with width, full backs Bosingwa and Miguel fly forwards and in front of them, excusing Ronaldo, they can pick from Nani, Quaresma and Simao.

It’s the main striker that will benefit from this width, which is why Ronaldo may figure centrally. Now that Pauleta has retired from International football, Portugal’s strikers are Hugo Almeida, Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga are hardly prolific and Ronaldo just might be the best person to profit.

Czech Republic

Forecast Group A Runner Up

The Czech’s will miss the services of their captain Tomas Rosicky, Karel Poborsky and Pavel Nedved,who will miss the tournament due to injury. However, beyond Cech the Czech’s don’t look to have much beyond the last eight.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech will be a colossus between the sticks. Whilst central defender David Rozehnal, on loan at Lazio from Newcastle is about the best in the back line.

In attack, Milan Baros and veteran beanpole Jan Koller will be expected to get the goals. Koller at 35 will always be a danger from set pieces and Baros, when he feels like it can mix it with some of the best.

Switzerland

Forecast Round 1

The co-hosts will be hoping that home advantage can inspire them beyond their ability. A team who see Philippe Senderos as their stalwart in defence, supported by another Arsenal fringe player Johan Djourou can’t have high hopes.

They do have Alex Frei up top, who knows where the goal is.

Turkey

Forecast Round 1

Turkey are nowhere near the side that took 3rd place in the 2002 World Cup. The coach is the same, but he lacks the quality he had back then.

Turkey are reliant on their passion, which is often taken too far and can be detrimental and their attacking partnership of Nihat Kahveci and Semih Senturk.

Kahveci particularly is in good form and has the pace and skill to trouble some defences.

Fixtures:

Switzerland v Czech Republic - Basle, June 7 1700 BST - BBC1

Portugal v Turkey - Geneva, June 7 1945 BST - ITV1

Czech Republic v Portugal - Geneva, June 11 1700 BST ITV1

Switzerland v Turkey - Basle, June 11 1945 BST - BBC2

Switzerland v Portugal - Basle, June 15 1945 BST - ITV1/4

Turkey v Czech Republic - Geneva, June 15 1945 BST - ITV1/4

Euro 2008 Group B - Analysis and Guide

Austria

Croatia

Germany

Poland

Tournament specialists Germany should cruise through this group and Croatia, even without their main goalscorer Eduardo, should have enough to tie up second spot.

Germany

Forecast Group B Winner

They are the bookmakers favourite to win Euro 2008 after qualifying in record breaking style. The Germans seem to have a knack of doing well in major tournaments and this year it looks like they should at least breeze into the semi finals.

Germany should win Group B, meaning they will play the runners up of Group A, likely to be an under strength Czech side, so semi finals beckon once again.

Since his injury in the first part of last season, Michael Ballack has returned to Chelsea in possibly the form of his career. With Bernd Schneider missing for the Germans, Ballack’s experience and influence will be key.

The other thing about the Germans is that they have not lost a penalty shoot out since 1976, a feature of the Germans that may become important come the semi final stages.

Croatia

Forecast Group B Runner Up

Led by manager Slaven Bilic, a former Croatian international, the Croat’s qualified for Euro 2008 by topping their group and seeing off England.

Bilic has instilled a sense of belief into his side, who play a dynamic style of football. Their main striker Eduardo of Arsenal will be missing due to his horrific injury, so the Croatians will now be relying on an unproven at international level - Nikola Kalinic. Whilst not as prolific as Eduardo, the youngster has performed well at youth level, but he could be out of his depth if Croatia progress.

Poland

Forecast Round 1

The Poles are playing in their first Euro competition, guided in by the legendary Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker, who famously took Trinidad & Tobago to the last World Cup.

Poland do not posses a single key player, but the likes of Artur Boruc in goal, Jacek Krzynowek in left midfield and captain striker Maciej Zurawski will need to be at their very best to even progress beyond the group stages.

Austria

Forecast Round 1

Although on home turf, even the Austrians realise this side have little chance of doing anything in this tournament. In fact, there was talk about Austria not taking advantage of their automatic qualification, so as to avoid embarrassment.

Like Poland, this is their first exposure to the Euro’s. If they can get a result against the Pole’s, they will have done well.

Their captain Andreas Ivanschitz and goalkeeper Alex Manninger, formerly of Arsenal are the pick of the squad.

Fixtures:

Group B

Austria v Croatia -Vienna, June 8 1700 BST - BBC1

Germany v Poland - Klagenfurt, June 8 1945 BST - BBC1

Croatia v Germany - Klagenfurt, June 12 1700 BST - ITV1

Austria v Poland - Vienna, June 12 1945 BST - BBC1

Poland v Croatia - Klagenfurt, June 16 1945 BST - BBC3

Austria v Germany - Vienna, June 16 1945 BST - BBC1

Euro 2008 Group C - Analysis and Guide

France

Holland

Italy

Romania

The tastiest group of the four. The three favourites have all received last minute injury worries, Italy with Cannavaro, France with Vieira and Holland missing Babel. Don’t underestimate Romania either, results against the Romanians may just be the deciding factor in this group.

France

Forecast Group C Winner

They may have some ageing stars, but they also have some young blood that might just edge France to the top of this very tight group.

Thuram, Makelele, Gallas, Sagnol, are all the wrong side of 30 years old, but combined with the youth of Evra, Boumsong, Ribery, Nasri, Diarra and Benzema (Flamini too, as he is likely to replace the injured Vieira), France ‘don’t look too shabby’.

If some of the younger crowd can start to shine through, France have the strength in depth to overcome their competitors in this tight group.

Nasri and Ribery could become the big guns within Les Blues, a good tournament from them could take them all the way to the finals.

Holland

Forecast Group C Runner Up

Legend Marco van Basten has been there and done it. He commands the respect of the Dutch players, something which has all too often held Holland back in tournaments.

The Dutch are riddled with ability and have some all important experience to back it up. Talent such as van der Vaart, Sneijder, van Persie and Robben could unhinge any defence and calmed with the experience of van der Sar and van Nistelrooy, Holland could be on their way to the last eight.

Italy

Forecast Round 1

The Italians are capable of beating any team in the world on their day, which is probably why they are world champions!

However, with the loss of their leader and defensive rock, the Italians may not have the leadership they will need to get past the group stages.

Luca Toni upfront gives the Italians hope, whilst young Aquilani adds some much needed creativity to the side.

Romania

Forecast Round 1

When you look at this group, France, Holland and Italy stand out, but Romania are certainly not going to be whipping boys in this group.

The star of the team is Adrian Mutu, a potential match winner, if his head is straight, but its who will support him that suggests problems.

Chivu defensively holds the Romanians together, but beyond those two the Romanians must rely on solidarity.

Fixtures:

Group C

Romania v France - Zurich - June 9 1700 BST - BBC1

Holland v Italy - Berne, June 9 1945 BST - ITV1

Italy v Romania - Zurich, June 13 1700 BST - ITV1

Holland v France - Berne, June 13 1945 BST - BBC1

France v Italy - Zurich, June 17 1945 BST - BBC1

Holland v Romania - Berne, June 17 1945 BST - BBC3

Euro 2008 Group D - Analysis and Guide

Greece

Russia

Spain

Sweden

Spain have too much about them to be worried in this group, but the fight will be between the well organised units of Sweden and Russia for second place, with Greece lagging and handing over their trophy after round 1.

Spain

Forecast Group D Winner

Renowned as tournament underachievers, Spain as always go into this competition with high hopes and the potential to win Euro 2008 outright.

A blend of youth and experience bodes well for the Spaniards, even some of their younger players have top level experience. Both Fabregas and Torres have played top level Champions League football and succeeded in being influential, so when combined with the likes of Puyol, Xavi and Casillas.

It’s when the Spanish get to the last eight that their credentials will be tested, as they will face one from Italy, Holland, France of less likely Romania.

Sweden

Forecast Group D Runner Up

This well oiled unit is constructed with long serving coach Lars Lagerback. In charge since 2000, Lagerback has developed his methods over time and has a squad who, if they hit form, could be dark horses in Euro 2008.

Captain Ljungberg will need to get over a poor season with West Ham, that heralded just two goals. But the hard working Swede could throw in one more effort for his country and in support to Ibrahimovic, they could be a potent force.

Henrik Larsson came out of retirement to travel to Austria and Switzerland, his presence alone may influence the Swedes to punch above their own weight.

Russia

Forecast Round 1

Having qualified in roller coaster fashion, at the expense of England of course, Russia will be relying heavily on two men.

Firstly their manager Guus Hiddink. He’s now a specialist international manager, having taken Holland and South Korea to World Cup semi-finals, in 1998 and 2002, and Australia to 2006 World Cup.

On the field Russia will depend on Andrei Arshavin, Hiddink himself labelled Arshavin the cleverest player he has ever coached. However, Arshavin is suspended for the first two games and by the time he makes his entrance against Sweden in the last group game, Russia could already be out of the running.

Greece

Forecast Round 1

The Greeks are the current holders of this trophy, but make no mistake, they will be relinquishing it.

Greece won’t just roll over and embarrass themselves, they are too organised and resolute for that, but they lack world class talent.

Angelos Charisteas, who scored the winner for Greece in 2004, is still around, but he has hardly set the world alight at FC Nuremburg.

Their only hope is that Theofanis Gekas, top scorer in the Bundesliga last season, can make the most of any opportunities that go his way and fire Greece through in tight games.

Fixtures:

Group D

Spain v Russia - Innsbruck - June 10 1700BST - BBC1

Greece v Sweden - Salzburg, June 10 1945 BST - ITV1

Sweden v Spain - Innsbruck, June 14 1700 BST - ITV1

Greece v Russia - Salzburg, June 14 1945 BST - ITV1

Greece v Spain - Salzburg, June 18 1945 BST - ITV1/4

Russia v Sweden - Innsbruck, June 18 1945 BST - ITV1/4

Portugal power through Turkey. Who covered the most ground? Who was the fastest player? Get the stat’s here.

Portugal 2-0 Turkey

Polish born Podolski hits a brace as Germany power past Poland.

Germany 2-0 Poland

A Modric penalty after two minutes was just enough for Croatia. Who covered the most ground? Who was the fastest player? Get the stat’s here.

Austria 0-1 Croatia

Holland set Euro 2008 alight by thrashing Italy.

Holland 3-0 Italy

Swedish spirit is victorious as Greece pay for their negative tactics.

Greece 0-2 Sweden

France fail to overcome Romania in their group opener.

Romania 0-0 France

Italy are fortunate to get their first point against the underrated Romanian’s.

Italy 1-1 Romania

Co-hosts Austria get a lifeline with a stoppage-time penalty against Poland.

Austria 1-1 Poland

Tenacious Croatia do a job on the pre tournament favourites, Germany.

Croatia 2-1 Germany