Here we highlight some of the teams that could be walking off with the trophy on June 30th
Germany
Under Jurgen Klinsmann were a breath of fresh air at the 2006 World Cup. Their fast, free-flowing, attacking football did much to dispel the myth of German players being methodical and efficient rather than creative.
While a number of the other European sides adopted a defensive approach, scored the highest number of goals - 14 - en route to a third-place finish.
The emphasis on attack drew comparisons with the West side of the 1970s, who claimed European Championship and World Cup glory.
Klinsmann's right-hand man, Joachim Low, a man credited with being the brains behind the tactical approach of the Nationalmannschaft, took the job after the end of the 2006 World Cup campaign.
Low has continued his predecessor's attacking policy during Euro 2008 qualifying so while a negative England laboured against minnows Andorra, spanked 13 past San Marino.
possess adventurous full-backs in Philipp Lahm and Marcell Jansen with centre-backs Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker both having good passing ability which helps the system function.
Midfielder Michael Ballack remains a potent threat for despite struggling to establish himself at Chelsea, while Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski form a lethal striking partnership so expect more goals.
France
With a generation of players facing up to what is likely to be their last tournament, Euro 2008 could be the final hurrah for a number of fantastic servants to the France team.
Zinedine Zidane bade farewell at the 2006 World Cup, albeit in controversial fashion, and the world-class talents of Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira are likely to follow.
Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and William Gallas are all the wrong side of 30 and it would not be a surprise to see them bow out after the summer's championships.
Les Bleus' elder statesmen, some of whom have been questioned after average domestic campaigns, will relish the opportunity to produce on the international stage and stick two fingers up at the critics.
The same goes for coach Raymond Domenech, who came under fire during the last World Cup before steering the team to the final.
France, on their day, are capable of scintillating football and are a match for any team in the world.
With the impressive Franck Ribery and the talented Karim Benzema alongside Henry et al, France will be one of the most pleasing teams to watch, as well as one of the tournament favourites.
Portugal
The chance to see the formidable talents of winger Cristiano Ronaldo will be worth the admission money alone at the European Championships.
Ronaldo has enjoyed a phenomenal season at Manchester United and if he is able to replicate his form for Portugal, and there is little to suggest he will not do so, then supporters will be in for a treat.
Of course, arguably the current best player in the world has a supporting cast which is equally impressive.
Porto's Ricardo Quaresma is starting to show the kind of form which had earmarked him for great things as a youngster, while Nani, Ronaldo's team-mate at Old Trafford, has shown tremendous promise in his debut season in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, Barcelona playmaker Deco and Atletico Madrid winger Simao both come into the tournament with something to prove.
With such an array of match-winning attacking players, even a pragmatic coach such as Luiz Felipe Scolari will be tempted to give some of the next golden generation a chance to showcase their talent.
Goals may not be in abundance, with Portugal lacking a striker of the same calibre as the midfielders, but their dazzling skills will doubtless light up the tournament.
Croatia
Coach Slaven Bilic has moulded a side which might lack the star names of previous generations but one which has a backbone, guile and team ethic to threaten the bigger nations.
There may not be a proven, big-name player of the ilk of Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban or Alen Boksic in the squad but underestimate them at your peril. Just ask former England boss Steve McClaren.
Croatia finished top of their Euro 2008 qualification group with home and away victories over England.
Bilic broke with the Balkan tradition of a 3-4-1-2 formation but was able to satisfy traditionalists with the use of two playmakers which makes them dangerous on the counter-attack.
Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar performed well in the revised formation but the system allowed the talents of Luka Modric - who will join Tottenham this summer from Dinamo Zagreb - to come to fruition.
Under Jurgen Klinsmann were a breath of fresh air at the 2006 World Cup. Their fast, free-flowing, attacking football did much to dispel the myth of German players being methodical and efficient rather than creative.
While a number of the other European sides adopted a defensive approach, scored the highest number of goals - 14 - en route to a third-place finish.
The emphasis on attack drew comparisons with the West side of the 1970s, who claimed European Championship and World Cup glory.
Klinsmann's right-hand man, Joachim Low, a man credited with being the brains behind the tactical approach of the Nationalmannschaft, took the job after the end of the 2006 World Cup campaign.
Low has continued his predecessor's attacking policy during Euro 2008 qualifying so while a negative England laboured against minnows Andorra, spanked 13 past San Marino.
possess adventurous full-backs in Philipp Lahm and Marcell Jansen with centre-backs Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker both having good passing ability which helps the system function.
Midfielder Michael Ballack remains a potent threat for despite struggling to establish himself at Chelsea, while Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski form a lethal striking partnership so expect more goals.
France
With a generation of players facing up to what is likely to be their last tournament, Euro 2008 could be the final hurrah for a number of fantastic servants to the France team.
Zinedine Zidane bade farewell at the 2006 World Cup, albeit in controversial fashion, and the world-class talents of Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira are likely to follow.
Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and William Gallas are all the wrong side of 30 and it would not be a surprise to see them bow out after the summer's championships.
Les Bleus' elder statesmen, some of whom have been questioned after average domestic campaigns, will relish the opportunity to produce on the international stage and stick two fingers up at the critics.
The same goes for coach Raymond Domenech, who came under fire during the last World Cup before steering the team to the final.
France, on their day, are capable of scintillating football and are a match for any team in the world.
With the impressive Franck Ribery and the talented Karim Benzema alongside Henry et al, France will be one of the most pleasing teams to watch, as well as one of the tournament favourites.
Portugal
The chance to see the formidable talents of winger Cristiano Ronaldo will be worth the admission money alone at the European Championships.
Ronaldo has enjoyed a phenomenal season at Manchester United and if he is able to replicate his form for Portugal, and there is little to suggest he will not do so, then supporters will be in for a treat.
Of course, arguably the current best player in the world has a supporting cast which is equally impressive.
Porto's Ricardo Quaresma is starting to show the kind of form which had earmarked him for great things as a youngster, while Nani, Ronaldo's team-mate at Old Trafford, has shown tremendous promise in his debut season in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, Barcelona playmaker Deco and Atletico Madrid winger Simao both come into the tournament with something to prove.
With such an array of match-winning attacking players, even a pragmatic coach such as Luiz Felipe Scolari will be tempted to give some of the next golden generation a chance to showcase their talent.
Goals may not be in abundance, with Portugal lacking a striker of the same calibre as the midfielders, but their dazzling skills will doubtless light up the tournament.
Croatia
Coach Slaven Bilic has moulded a side which might lack the star names of previous generations but one which has a backbone, guile and team ethic to threaten the bigger nations.
There may not be a proven, big-name player of the ilk of Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban or Alen Boksic in the squad but underestimate them at your peril. Just ask former England boss Steve McClaren.
Croatia finished top of their Euro 2008 qualification group with home and away victories over England.
Bilic broke with the Balkan tradition of a 3-4-1-2 formation but was able to satisfy traditionalists with the use of two playmakers which makes them dangerous on the counter-attack.
Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar performed well in the revised formation but the system allowed the talents of Luka Modric - who will join Tottenham this summer from Dinamo Zagreb - to come to fruition.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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