Picks of the pitch

SWITZERLAND

If this was the European championship of banking or neutrality, look out! As it’s a soccer competition, however, the Swiss will just try to appear respectable before their fans.
Did you know? The little-known fourth (semi-) official national language is Rhaeto-Romanic (aka Romansh), spoken by less than one per cent of the population.
Last time: Bottom of their group with only a single goal for their efforts.
Stars: Returning from long-term injury, striker Alexander Frei will provide much needed punch to an anemic attack.
Strategy: Grind down opponents with their stifling defensive style and hope multilingual home crowd provides a 12th man effect.
Anthemic Inspiration: When the Alps glow bright with splendour / Pray to God, to Him surrender.

TURKEY

The Ottomans are a formidable opponent capable of playing some of the most attractive soccer around.
Did you know? Turkish folklore says that children are only able to walk when the “invisible shoelace” binding their feet together is cut by an elder.
Last time: Failed at the final qualifying hurdle, losing in a playoff to (gulp) Latvia.
Stars: The surprise omission of legend Hakan Sükür means the torch has been passed to players like Halil Altintop.
Strategy: Build on the self-belief earned by a third place finish at the 2002 WC and not their humdrum form of late.
Anthemic Inspiration: Oh coy crescent do not frown for I am ready to sacrifice myself for you! Please smile upon my heroic nation, why that anger, why that rage?

POLAND

This is the first Euro campaign for the Poles, who finished ahead of Portugal in qualifying, but shouldn’t expect an easy ticket out of this group.
Did you know? The most popular name for a dog in Poland is Burek—meaning a brownish-grey colour.
Last time: Failed to qualify finishing behind the surprising Latvians.
Stars: Not a lot of household names here, but Euzebiusz Smolarek (call him Ebi) has been a scoring machine of late.
Strategy: Beat the Croatians and all should fall into place.
Anthemic Inspiration: We will cross the Vistula and Warta Rivers / We will be Poles, Bonaparte showed us how to win.

GERMANY

Has to be considered the tournament favourite, the impressive young team from 2006 is maturing very nicely, danke sehr.
Did you know? Germany’s tax system is so complex it’s estimated that 80 per cent of the world’s tax literature is in German.
Last time: Failed to advance in a group with the Czechs and Dutch.
Stars: Midfield maestro Michael Ballack hopes to lead his nation to victory, alongside lethal finisher Miroslav Klose.
Strategy: Hold onto the ball, be patient and let their superior skills and fitness take over.
Anthemic Inspiration: German women, German loyalty / German wine and German song!

AUSTRIA

You know things aren’t going well when your own supporters start a petition pleading with authorities not to host the tournament because your squad’s so shite. Go team?
Did you know? Austria was the first country to abolish capital punishment…in 1787.
Last time Their failed qualifying bid included a loss to soccer power Moldova.
Stars: The biggest star for Austria will be the cardboard cutouts of legend Hans Krankel dotting the countryside.
Strategy: May the good Lord have mercy on their footballing soul.
Anthemic Inspiration: You are in the centre of the Continent / Like a strong heart.

CROATIA

The best of all the newly independent post-Soviet states, the Croatians have as good a chance as anyone of winning this thing.
Did you know? The Croatian version of aloha or shalom is bog!
Last time: Unsuccessful advancing out of their group, failing to win a game.
Stars: With the absence of Arsenal’s naturalized Croat Eduardo, the biggest star might be coach Slaven Biliç, who’s a rock star in his spare time.
Strategy: Newly emerging talent Luka Modriç will need to control the midfield, which will be expected to provide some offence.
Anthemic Inspiration: Deep blue sea go tell the whole world / That a Croat loves his homeland.

ITALY

The Italian camp is in disarray! They’re rife with selection controversies (stand up Del Piero), underperforming stars (yes, you Cannavaro) and a coach with the support of no one (hello Donadoni). Business as usual, then.
Did you know? The average Italian eats half a pound of bread a day. Mama mia!
Last time: Failed to advance on three-way tiebreaker with Nordic rivals Sweden and Denmark. (The media of course claimed it was a fair-skinned conspiracy.)
Stars: The current World Champs are looking a tad complacent, so look for at least one newcomer to shine—could it be striker Antonio Di Natale?
Strategy: The notoriously low-scoring, slow-starting Azzurri can’t afford to stumble in such a tough group and will probably need a win against one of the big boys to advance this time.
Anthemic Inspiration: Where is Victory? / Let her bow down / For God has made her / The slave of Rome.

NETHERLANDS

Oh, Dutch footballers, why do you torture your supporters so? Talent is never lacking, but timely performances—and luck—seem to abandon the team whenever it counts.
Did you know? The country has a permanent coalition government which helps explain their national penchant for compromise.
Last time: Lost 2-1 in semifinals to Portugal.
Stars: The Dutch, coached by legend Marco Van Basten, have a dizzying array of talent, especially up front. Van Nistelrooy and Robben are proven entities, while Liverpool’s Ryan Babel looks set to break out.
Strategy: Believe in themselves. Twenty years ago, Van Basten hoisted the trophy as a player and their destiny was fulfilled. It can happen again.
Anthemic Inspiration: A prince I am, undaunted / Of Orange, ever free.

FRANCE

Yet another headcase. Group of neuroses is more like it. Astrology buff Raymond Domenech won’t have Zidane to bail him out this time.
Did you know? It was illegal to sell E.T. dolls in France because there’s a law against selling dolls without faces. Sacré bleu!
Last time: Lost 1–0 to Greece in quarterfinals.
Stars: Zidane’s heir apparent Franck Ribéry needs to be fit for the team to go far. Up front, Italian league scoring sensation David Trezeguet is out of favour, leaving Thierry Henry and youngster Karim Benzema to carry the load.
Strategy: France is one team that seems to perform best when they’re loose and having fun. Do that and they just might avenge that heartbreaking loss to Italy in the World Cup.
Anthemic Inspiration: May impure blood Water our fields!

ROMANIA

Romania looks set to play the “death” role in this “group of death,” but they did top a qualifying group, which included Holland, so who knows?
Did you know? Authorities banned Mickey Mouse in Romanian cinemas, fearing children would be frightened by the sight of a 10-foot rodent.
Last time: Failed to qualify.
Stars: Adrian Mutu is their stud and seems to have put that nasty cocaine scandal behind him.
Strategy: With nothing to lose, the Romanians need to attack the continent’s top squads and show them no respect.
Anthemic Inspiration: We’d rather die in battle, in elevated glory / Than live again enslaved on our ancestral land.

The last (and only) time Spain did not underachieve was 1964, when they won this tournament. Since then it’s been a series of shattered dreams.
Did you know? Spain literally means “land of rabbits.”
Last time: Lost out in tiebreaker to eventual champs Greece.
Stars: The Spanish side is brimming with talent as usual, with striker David Villa red hot, and Arsenal’s young Cesc Fabregas on the verge of superstardom.
Strategy: The emotionally fragile Spaniards need to win games in regulation since their record in extra time and penalties is dismal.
Anthemic Inspiration: No words…just hum.

Qualified at the expense of England, but have yet to convince they’re a serious contender.
Did you know? Driving a dirty car in Russia is a criminal offence.
Last time: Finished bottom of their group, ironically only beating Greece.
Stars: Temperamental goal scorer Andrei Arshavin will have to keep his cool for them to succeed.
Strategy: This is a very young squad that will rely on the settling influence of super-coach Guus Hiddink—the man who made South Korea a contender in ’02.
Anthemic Inspiration: You are unique in the world! Such is only you.

Was it only four years ago that the Greeks were champions of Europe? Arguably the biggest surprise winner of a major tournament, probably won’t do it again (will they?).
Did you know? In Athens, a driver can lose their licence if they’re judged poorly dressed or “unbathed.”
Last time: Shocked the world.
Stars: Giorgos Karagounis has an impressive international pedigree and proved he could bend it like Beckham on free kicks.
Strategy: With German coach and national hero Otto Rehhagel back at the helm, expect stingy defending and counter-attacks to be the game plan.
Anthemic Inspiration: From the graves of our slain / Shall thy valour prevail.

Fans of the game are always sad to see Sweden go out as they inevitably play a beautifully carefree style that probably stems from having no national expectations.
Did you know?It’s illegal to repaint your house in Sweden without a painting licence and government permission.
Last time: Went out on penalty kicks vs. Holland in quarters.
Stars: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the world’s best strikers and could use the help of oft-injured underwear model/midfielder Freddie Ljungberg.
Strategy: Youth and experience have to somehow mesh at the right time.
Anthemic Inspiration: Oh, I would live and I would die in Sweden.