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Euro 2008 - Team profiles


Group B




Germany

With an impressive 2006 World Cup behind them and not far to travel, Germany are many people's favourites going into Euro 2008.

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Current FIFA ranking


5 (between Spain and the Czech Republic)



Route to finals

Germany finished second behind the Czech Republic in Qualifying Group D. Seven wins in their first eight games - including a record-breaking 13-0 demolition of San Marino - put them in charge of the group, and a 0-0 draw against Ireland in October made them the first team to qualify for the finals.

They conceded the advantage in the group with a 3-0 defeat at home to the Czechs, and a 0-0 draw at home to a battling Wales side meant they had to make do with the runners-up spot.



International pedigree

Seriously impressive. With three World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990) and three European Championships (1972, 1980, 1996) under their belt - not to mention a further six major final appearances - Germany are the most successful international side in Europe.

After a surprising first round exit at Euro 2004 they bounced back with a storming run to the semi-finals as hosts of the last World Cup in 2006.



Coach

Germany ensured continuity following their impressive showing at the World Cup by replacing departing coach Jurgen Klinsmann with his assistant Joachim Loew.

An undistinguished player, Loew made his name as a coach with Schalke 04, whom he guided to the 1996-1997 German Cup and the final of the Cup Winners' Cup the year after. Spells in Austria and Turkey followed, before he joined the national set-up in 2004.

Scarf enthusiast Loew has a reputation as an innovative, tactically astute coach, but he has largely kept faith with the 4-4-2 formation that served the Nationalmannschaft so well at the World Cup.



Familiar faces

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will start the tournament as Germany's number one despite his lack of playing time for the Gunners this season, while captain Michael Ballack of Chelsea is a near deity in his homeland, with 35 goals in 79 appearances for the national side.

Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose was the top scorer at the last World Cup, when he became the first player in history to score five goals or more in consecutive tournaments.



Potential stars

Little has changed since the World Cup, with Marcell Jansen likely to be the only new face in the side at left-back, but Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez will be looking to claim a starting berth alongside Klose after two impressive seasons.

The 22-year old was named German Player of the Year in 2007 and has scored six goals in just nine international appearances to date. Furthermore, his main rival in the squad, Lukas Podolski, has been largely consigned to substitute appearances for Bayern Munich this season.



Chances

Heavily fancied. They are characteristically solid, with a well-established tactical system, and in Klose, Gomez, Podolski and Kevin Kuranyi they have some of the tournament's deadliest finishers.

Players like Ballack and Klose have proven records at major tournaments, but there one weakness may be in goal, with the ageing Lehmann short on sharpness after a frustrating season.



Possible starting XI

Jens Lehmann (Arsenal); Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich); Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen); Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen); Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich)


Back-ups

Goalkeepers: Robert Enke (Hannover 96), Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen); Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04); Midfielders: Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), David Odonkor (Real Betis), Marko Marin (Borussia Monchengladbach); Forwards: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Monchengladbach), Patrick Helmes (Koln)



Group B fixtures


08/06/2008: Poland

12/06/2008: Croatia

16/06/2008: Austria


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Austria

Next on our rundown of the teams set to compete at Euro 2008, it's time to meet the co-hosts, Austria.

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Current FIFA ranking


101 - Between Algeria and Tanzania



Route to finals

As joint hosts with neighbours Switzerland, all the effort put into qualifying was made by the suits at the Austrian FA.



International pedigree

This is their first ever European Championships. Finished fourth at the second ever World Cup in Italy in 1934, then went one better in Switzerland in 1954. Since then, they have only made sporadic appearances at international finals, never reaching the knockout stages.



Coach

A relative international success as both player and manager, Josef Hickersberger led Austria to 1990 World Cup finals, but was then sacked after his side lost their first Euro 92 qualifier 1-0 to Faroe Islands. After spending a decade in the wilderness with the Bahrain national team and various Middle-Eastern clubs he led Rapid Wien to the Austrian title and the Champions League group stages in 2004, before being handed his shot at international redemption.



Familiar faces

Goalkeeper Alex Manninger will be fondly remembered by Arsenal fans for his telling contribution to their 1998 league and cup double, while fellow custodian Jurgen Macho once warmed the benches of Sunderland and Chelsea. Middlesbrough's Emanuel Pogatetz is the sole representative of the Premier League. Wigan Athletic defender Paul Scharner has retired from the national team, citing shambolic organisation of the side as his reason.



Potential stars

Since the mighty Toni Polster hung up his boots in 2000, Austria have had a real paucity of striking talent. There is hope for the future in the shape of Werder Bremen's Martin Harnik (pictured). The 20-year-old scored on his Bundesliga debut back in August, and followed that strike up with one on his international bow against the Czech Republic.



Chances

If this side had any success of which to speak of, it would be built on their settled defensive unit, and certainly not their goal-shy attack. If they scrape draws against Croatia and Poland, and Germany win their first two games, then beating their neighbours' second string in the final group match could see them sneak through. However, despite home advantage they are a side destined for the Group B wooden spoon.



Possible starting XI

Helge Payer (Rapid Vienna); Emanuel Pogatetz (Middlesbrough), Martin Stranzl (Spartak Moscow), Ronald Gercaliu (Austria Wien), Sebastien Prodl (Werder Bremen); Andreas Ivanschitz (Panathinaikos), Jurgen Samuel (Sturm Graz), Rene Aufhauser (Red Bull Salzburg), Christoph Lietgeb (Red Bull Salzburg); Ronald Linz (Braga), Saniel Kuljic (Austria Wien)


Back-ups

Goalkeepers: Christian Gratzei (Sturm Graz), Jurgen Macho (AEK Athens), Alex Manninger (Siena); Defenders: Johannes Ertl - Martin Hiden (Rapid Wien), Andreas Ibertsberger (Freiburg), Markus Katzer (Rapid Wien), Jurgen Patocka (Rapid Wien), Franz Schiemer (Austria Wien), Joachim Standfest (Austria Wien); Midfielders: Christian Fuchs (Matttersburg) Gyorgy Garics (Napoli), Veli Kavlak (Rapid Wien), Michael Morz (Mattersburg), Thomas Prager (Heerenveen), Klaus Salmutter (Sturm Graz), Yuksel Sariyar (Austria Wien), Markus Weissenberger (Eintracht Frankfurt); Forwards: Martin Harnik (Werder Bremen), Marc Janko (Red Bull Salzburg), Roman Kienast (Hamarkameratene)



Group B fixtures


08/06/08 - v Croatia

12/06/08 - v Poland

16/06/08 - v Germany


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Croatia

Our rundown of the Euro 2008 contenders continues with a team that English fans already know rather too well - Croatia.

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Current FIFA ranking


13 - Between Romania and Ghana



Route to finals

Croatia finished at the top of Group E four points clear of runners-up Russia. They ended their campaign as the group's top scorers with 28 goals and only lost one match, 2-0 in their penultimate game away to Macedonia. Having already sealed qualification going into the final matchday, they beat England 3-2 at Wembley in a gripping encounter, completing the double over Steve McClaren's side and famously denying them a place in the finals.



International pedigree

After the country gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in the previous year, Croatia became a full member of FIFA in 1992. The young nation announced its arrival on the world stage by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 96, when qualification alone was already regarded as an achievement. The same group of players, including Davor Suker, Robert Prosinecki and Alen Boksic, then finished third at the World Cup in France two years later, with striker Suker ending the tournament as top scorer. After that team dissolved, the country experienced a fallow period, dropping out of the top 30 in the FIFA world rankings and never making it past the group stages of a major tournament, before the 'Vatreni' began their current renaissance.



Coach

As a player, tough defender Slaven Bilic spent four years in the Premier League, first at West Ham and then with Everton, and was part of the Croatia side that surprised everyone at Euro 96 and France 98. After several years coaching the under-21 side, Bilic succeeded Zlatko Kranjcar as head coach in 2006 and subsequently led their triumphant Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. He has released an unofficial Croatia team song with his rock band, Rawbau, ahead of the tournament.



Familiar faces

Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva will miss the tournament after breaking his leg in February. Midfielder Niko Kranjcar, son of Bilic's predecessor Zlatko, has just won the FA Cup with Portsmouth, while versatile defender Vedran Corluka has impressed during his first season at Manchester City. Josip Simunic was the man on the receiving end of three yellow cards in the same match from referee Graham Poll during the 2006 World Cup. Luka Modric, who impressed greatly in the two matches against England, has already completed a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur, and will join them next season.



Potential stars

One of the youngest members of the squad, Anas Sharbini has been captain of the under-21s and has now graduated up to the senior squad. The forward is also club captain of his hometown club, Rijeka, despite being just 21 years old.



Chances

After topping a tricky qualifying group, Croatia have to be viewed as favourites for the runners-up spot in Group B behind Germany. If they can win at Wembley then the passionate home crowd should not faze them when they play co-hosts Austria, so it seems as though their final group match against Poland could be a straight play-off for a place in the knockout stages, where anything is possible.



Possible starting XI

Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow); Vedran Corluka (Manchester City), Dario Simic (Milan), Robert Kovac (Borussia Dortmund), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin); Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Luka Modric (Dinamo Zagreb), Niko Kovac (Red Bull Salzburg), Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth); Ivica Olic (Hamburg), Ivan Klasnic (Wereder Bremen)


Back-ups

Goalkeepers: Mario Galinovic (Panathinaikos), Vedran Runje (Lens); Defenders: Dario Knezevic (Livorno), Hrvoje Vejic (Tomsk); Midfielders: Manuel Pamic (Red Bull Salzburg), Nikola Pokrivac (Monaco), Jerko Leko (Monaco), Danijel Pranjic (Heerenveen), Ivan Rakitic (Schalke), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dinamo Zagreb); Forwards: Anas Sharbini (Rijeka), Igor Budan (Parma), Nikola Kalinic (Hadjuk Split), Mladen Petric (Borussia Dortmund)



Group B fixtures


08/06/08 - Austria

12/06/08 - Germany

16/06/08 - Poland


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Poland

Time now for a look at the team we are throwing our considerable weight behind, Poland.

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Current FIFA ranking


27- Between Russia and Uruguay



Route to finals

'Bialo-Czerwoni' ('The Red and Whites') surprised everyone by topping qualifying Group A ahead of Portugal, who they took four points from in qualifying. Despite slipping up in Armenia, they remained unbeaten in their last five games, and a 2-2 draw in Serbia in their final group match saw them through at their host's expense. Reaching the next Euro 2012 will be a whole lot easier, as they joint host the tournament with Ukraine.



International pedigree

Poland will be making their European Championship debut when they take on neighbours Germany at the Worthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt. They have fared far better at World Cups - on the rare occasions that they have qualified - finishing third in 1974 and again eight years later. They have made the last two finals in Japan & Korea and Germany, exiting in the group stages on both occasions.



Coach

A veteran coach who has travelled the world, Dutchman Leo Beenhakker was snapped up by the Polish FA after he led Trinidad & Tobago to the 2006 World Cup. In an illustrious and international career, Beenhakker has won three consecutive Spanish titles with Real Madrid, three Dutch titles in as many spells at Ajax and managed club sides in Switzerland, Mexico and Turkey. The Polish job is his fourth international post, having previously taken charge of the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia as well as Trinidad. Despite all this, the cigar-smoking sexagenarian regards taking Poland to their first European finals as one of his greatest achievements.



Familiar faces

All three of the goalkeepers in the Polish squad ply their trade for top British clubs. Celtic's Artur Boruc is considered number one above Manchester United's Tomasz Kuszczak and Arsenal's Lukasz Fabianski, as he is the only one who plays regularly for his club. Strikers Maciej Zurawski and Marek Saganowski have their homes at Celtic and Southampton respectively. Another Saint, Grzegorz Rasiak, did not make the provisional squad.



Potential stars

At 26, Euzebiusz Smolarek is not exactly fresh on the scene, but the fact that the forward scored nine goals in 10 games during qualifying has gone largely unnoticed. Perhaps that's because of his rather inferior strike rate in La Liga for Racing Santander. Nevertheless, if Eurosport-Yahoo!'s adopted team are to do well, he will be key.



Chances

They may have zero experience at European Championships, but their coach has more than enough to go round. If they can avoid defeat against Germany, or better still make history by beating their neighbours for the first time ever, then they could make it to the knockout stages and cause problems for whoever they meet there.



Possible starting XI (from provisional 26-man squad)

Artur Boruc (Celtic); Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht), Jacek Bak (Austria Wien), Mariusz Jop (FK Moscow), Jakub Wawrzyniak (Legia Warsaw); Wojciech Lobodzinski (Zaglebie Lubin), Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Grzegorz Bronowicki (Crvena Zvezda), Rafal Murawski (Lech Poznan); Euzebiusz Smolarek (Racing Satander), Maciej Zurawski (Celtic)


Back-ups

Goalkeepers: Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal), Tomasz Kuszczak (Manchester United); Defenders: Michal Pazdan (), Dariusz Dudka (Wisla Krakow), Pawel Golanski (Steaua Bucharest), Adam Kokoszka (Wisla Krakow), Michal Zewlakow (Olympiacos); Midfielders: Roger Guerreiro (Legia Warsaw), Radoslaw Majewski (Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wiel), Jakub Blasczcykowski (Borussia Dortmund), Lukasz Gargula (GKS Belchatow), Jacek Krzynowek (Wolfsburg),; Forwards: Marek Saganowski (Southampton), Tomasz Zahorski (Gormik Zabrze), Radoslaw Matusiak (Heerenveen)



Group B fixtures


08/06/2008 - Germany

12/06/08 - Austria

16/06/08 - Croatia


eurosport.yahoo.com | Football | Euro '08 | Article Here!