European Championship 2008 group by group analysis, by Paddy Agnew.
Greece
Manager:Otto Rehhagel.
Star players:Much responsibility sits on the shoulders of the talented and hard-working midfield trio of captain Angelos Basinas, Giorgos Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranis, all of whom were key figures in Rehhagel's team in Portugal four years ago.
Previous tournaments:Need we remind you, Greece sprang one of the biggest surprises of the modern game when winning this tournament four years ago. Before that, they had qualified only once, for the 1980 finals in Italy.
Prospects: Better than you might think. Lightning may not strike twice but this is very much the same, tightly organised, competitive unit as that of four years ago. Not for nothing did they dominate their qualifying group, winning 10, drawing one and losing just one game to finish seven points clear of Turkey.
Betting:28/1.
Russia
Manager:Guus Hiddink.
Star players: Igor Semshov and Konstantin Zyrianov provide defensive grit in midfield whilst Hiddink will look to the pacey Vladimir Bystrov to provide service for one of three possible big men up front, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Pavel Pogrebnyak or Roman Adamov.
Previous tournaments:As the USSR, they were winners of the inaugural Delauney tournament in France in 1960 and subsequent to that three times beaten finalists in 1964 (by Spain), 1972 (Germany) and 1988 (Netherlands). As Russia, they were eliminated in the first round at the Euro 2004 finals.
Prospects:Not great. Were it not for that infamous late goal from Mladen Petric in Croatia's 3-2 defeat of England last autumn, Russia would not be here. Coach Hiddink is by far the best thing they have going for them.
Betting:33/1.
Spain
Manager:Luis Aragones.
Star players:Another squad stuffed with real class when moving forward, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta in midfield and Fernando Torres and David Villa in attack. The star quality may be somewhat missing from the Spanish defence, however.
Previous tournaments:A win on home ground in 1964 represents Spain's only major tournament triumph. Since then, despite playing in every European Championships finals, Spain have flattered only to deceive and disappoint.
Prospects:Yet again, Spain come into a major finals looking like a potential winner not only because of their current excellent form but also because the draw has been "kind" to them. All Spain expects. No More Excuses.
Betting:11/2.
Sweden
Manager:Lars Lagerback.
Star players: With all due respect to Freddy Ljunberg, Kim Kallstrom and Christian Wilhelmsson and not to mention 36-year-old Henrik Larsson, this team has only one "star" turn, Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Hauled out of the club infirmary to help Inter lift the Italian title on the last day of the season, Ibrahimovic carries a knee injury in to the tournament.
Previous tournaments:Regular qualifiers - this is Sweden's fifth successive major tournament - they have never won the European Championship. Their best performance was on home ground in 1992 when they were beaten by Germany at the semi-final stage.
Prospects:Nothing suggests this tournament will be any different for the Swedes, ie an early exit. A 3-0 defeat by Spain last November in the qualifying round highlighted the side's limitations.
betting:28/1
