by Michael Sawh

Created on: June 02, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The cream of Europe's football giants minus England are just days away before they descend upon Austria and Switzerland for what hopes to be a feast fit for the hungriest of football kings. The European Championships 2008 Finals promises to stir excitement from the off, with all four groups as tantalizingly poised as they have ever been. The 29th July at the Ernst Happel stadium, Austria is the date and venue all sixteen nations will be look onwards to, with these nations believing they have more reason to stake a claim of lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy.

Italy

The reigning world champions will go in as favorites to add the European trophy to their 2006 capture of the Jules Rimet trophy. Their successful World Cup campaign was built on classic Italian performances soaked in the art of closing teams out. This time around they have the firepower to match the disciplined, experienced nature of the squad. The likes of Alberto Aquilani, Daniele De Rossi and the return of Antonio Cassano ensures Roberto Donadoni has the fresh impetus to compliment what is already a formidable line up. The Donadoni factor is also key; severely under the scrutiny of the Italian football media, how he will cope with taking the reigning champions into his first tournament is paramount, and if he gets his tactics right, we should not see past an Italian victory and compensation for their disappointment on the European domestic front.

France

The World Cup runners up will want to erase the memory of their loss in Germany and show that there is life after Zidane. Franck Ribery is helping to ease the loss of the enigmatic midfielder, with his stirring displays for club and country. Ribery will provide the creative spark and instigate much of Les Bleus attacking play. Accompanied by the equally exciting prospect of Karim Benzema who could be a star in this years tournament it is possible the fledglings could over shadow the likes of Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka.The defence is an extremely settled element of the side with its wealth of versatility and experience.They have the quality to mount a serious challenge and should consider themselves as strong contenders to make another final appearance.

Germany

The most over used cliche used in international football, 'Don't rule out the Germans', the side does not make for exciting reading when you look at the squad list, but Joachim Low and his side will believe that a final spot is very much in their grasp. At the back they possess two imposing

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