Country: Austria

Manager: Josef Hickersberger

Euro 2004 Performance:  Failed to Qualify

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance: Qualified through hosting Tournament.

Key Attacking Player:  Ivica Vastic’s return to the Austrian national team might be one of the biggest surprises for the host’s fans.  The last national level game Vastic played was back in 2005, but his immaculate form this season for LASK Linz has earned him another call up to the national squad.  With 12 goals for Austria, he will surely be looking to add to that total.  And although he may not get the nod to start, his senior experience is what is needed to coax the young Austrian team into the Elimination rounds.

Key Defensive Player:  Emanuel Pogatetz might be one of the most ruthless and crazed defenders in European football, but its that determination and gut that makes him such a rock in defense.  Although not the most skilled technically, when fortitude and grit are used as factors, he might as well be labeled as class.  If he can manage to keep the back four sound, problems could ensue for their opponents.  Another wild card will be whether or not Pogatetz shows up, or his often-called nickname, “Mad Dog,” comes as he is known for horrible tackles at times.  Only June can tell us that, so until then…

Breakout Player:  Erwin Hoffer is beginning to find his niche as Euro ’08 approaches.  In the recent friendly against third Division side SV Spittal, Hoffer helped his side in the 6-0 thumping, adding two goals in the second half.  Also, in league play for Rapid Vienna, Hoffer was influential in the 7-0 thumping of Red Bull Salzburg.  He may not be a starter in June, but his appearances should be persuading for Austria.

Predicted Group Finish: Third.  With their first entry into a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, as well as being hosts, the sheer energy pumping in Austria could see them through to the Elimination rounds.  However, it is very concerning that the national squad could only net 6 against a third division squad.  Although that might seem like a high scoring game, it just wont get the job done.  Unless magic is found in the form of a supernatural football, their demise will be the lack of goals. 

Surely, the pride of Austria and the nationalism associated with the tournament will be driving factors in their performances.  Unfortunately for Austria, they were drawn into the same group as Germany, which as another German speaking country could steal the spotlight away from the Austrians.  However, a strong performance against specifically Germany will undoubtedly be one of the most proud accomplishments the country has ever seen at the national football level.  It may even give them the drive to pull off the shocker and sneak into the knockout stages.

Country: Croatia

Manager:  Slaven Bilic

Euro 2004 Performance: At Euro ’04, the Croats found themselves drawn into the group of England, France, and Switzerland.  Unfortunately, the Croatians failed to even win a match, drawing twice and losing once to England.  Redemption will certainly be sought with a refurbished squad come this June.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance:  In Group E of qualifying, the Croats managed 9 wins with only one loss, finishing on 29 points.  However, the memory that most will remember is how they were so influential in keeping England out of the tournament.  The 77^th minute strike from Mladen Petric dashed the hopes of England, and the Croatians are now looking to use that momentum to have a great run in Austria.

Key Attacking Player: Mladen Petric provided the fireworks only months ago against England, and with Eduardo Da Silva out for nearly nine months with that horrific leg break, he will be the man to look to for goals.  With seven goals in qualifying, Croatia will be looking to him to lead the way if the goals are to pour in.

Key Defensive Player: Robert Kovac has been recently dubbed one of the best defenders in Croatian history.  His immaculate sense of timing more than compensates for his lack of physicality and speed.  With his brother Niko captaining the squad and patrolling midfield, the Croation defense looks to be pretty sound.

Breakout Player: Ivan Klasnic is one of the youngsters Bili? is putting much faith in with his inclusion in the squad.  After his recent kidney transplant, Klasnic will look to show that he is the future of Croatian football and wants to show his capabilities have not lost him.

Predicted Group Finish: Second

Without at doubt, if you were to speak of Croatian football four months ago, you would have to be bonkers not to mention Eduardo Da Silva.  His departure from football for the next few months from that graphic leg break does raise some question marks as to how well the Croatian squad can keep the gears turning without their top scorer in qualifying.  The likes of Niko Kranjcar and Mladen Petric will need to fill the void and keep the goals flowing if they want to see their way to the latter stages of the tournament.  With a strong squad with great chemistry, Croatia is one of those wild card teams that could sneak all the way to finals on June 29.

Country: Germany

Manager: Joachim Low

Euro 2004 Performance: Four years ago, Germany struggled to find the net in the group stages, scoring only two goals.  Failing to even win a match, they were eliminated from the tournament in the Group stages.  With Austria in such close proximity to Germany, this year will essentially be a home tournament to Germany, so they will look to perform well.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance:  In this years qualifying stage, Germany finished second in Group D behind the Czech Republic.  Finishing on 27 points with only one loss, their immensely strong squad will give them the push they will need for a good tournament.

Key Attacking Player: Lukas Podolski broke out at the ’06 World Cup, and his scoring prowess will be a key component to Germany’s tournament.  With his likely partnership with Miroslav Klose one of the most deadly combinations in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich, the goals should fly in for the Germans.  With 8 goals in qualifying, he should be looking to pick another big tally this June.

Key Defensive Player: Jens Lehmann has been given the nod to start this June, despite his lack of appearances for his club, Arsenal.  With the amount of talent present at this year’s tournament, this is very disconcerting to the Germans, as Lehmann is even known for inconsistent play.  Not only that, but his temper could be another downfall for Germany, as they cannot afford any mishaps from the German international.

Breakout Player: Marko Marin may not be anywhere close to a recognizable name, but the VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder is one of the rising stars in Germany.  Although playing in the second division of the Bundesliga, his first call-up to the national squad seems promising, and appearances could be limited to only the bench, the atmosphere of such an enormous tournament could see Marin move to a bigger club come the end of the summer.

Predicted Group Finish: First

The German squad might be one of the strongest in the world.  With Ballack set for a fantastic tournament after hitting form for Chelsea the last couple weeks, and the strong attacking presence within the squad, the stream of goals should not fail them.  However, the biggest uncertainty is the fitness/readiness of Jens Lehmann.  Although he may be signed to one of the best clubs in the world, his lack of actual play this past campaign is a gigantic worry and most likely will be the reason the Germans don’t lift the trophy on June 29.

Country: Poland

Manager: Leo Beenhakker

Euro 2004 Performance:  Failed to Qualify.

Euro 2008 Qualifying Performance:  At the end of the qualifying rounds, Poland finished atop Group A on 28 points with 8 wins and 2 losses.  Their star striker Euzebiusz Smolarek also was very influential in Poland’s qualification, as he was one of the top goal scorers with 9 goals.

Key Attacking Player: Euzebiusz Smolarek was one of the surprises in qualifying when he netted nine goals, and it will take that presence in front of goal if Poland is to get out of this group.  His dynamic play as either a striker or wide winger will give Poland different attacking options in the tournament this June.  Poland will need Smolarek on top form if there is to be any chance of something resembling a good performance.

Key Defensive Player: Michal Zewlakow is one of those wingbacks that every enthusiast loves to see.  His runs at times show brilliance and his free kicks have a potent venom punch that can give even world-class goal keepers trouble.  Although he may lack in technical defensive skills, he is still solid on defense, and his breaks down the wing will be appreciated, because they will be needed.

Breakout Player: Roger Guerreiro has finally been called to the Poland national squad, after the Brazilian recently earned Polish citizenship.  The left-winger will add a strong offensive attack for the Poles, which they surely will need.

Predicted Group Finish: Fourth

The one thing that is for sure is that the constant theme of this tournament is the talent located in every group, as it is very difficult to predict anything, as football can be a crazy game.  It’s going to have to be that kind of madness for Poland if they want to advance to the Knockout Stage.  Not to knock the Polish team or anything, it is simply that they are just over matched.  I have been wrong before though, so hopefully we will see some strongly fought matches.