As a dramatic season comes to its conclusion in Munich next week, the eyes of the footballing world will turn its attention to Poland and Ukraine for the 2012 European Championships, as 16 of Europe's elite go toe to toe in one of the fiercest international tournament's in world football. With all the squads now announced, and preparations well under way, here is my preview of all 16 teams, including their chances of success, key men and rising stars who could make their name this summer.
Group A
Poland
•Chances - The joint hosts have only qualified for the Euro's once prior to this summer's tournament; however they arguably now have a side which is more than capable of competing with Europe's elite. Handed the easiest of the 4 groups, the Poles will be confident of reaching the quarter finals, and with home backing, become one of the surprise packages of the competition.
•Key player - Poland captain Jakub or Kuba Blaszczykowski has been pivotal in Borussia Dortmund's double winning season, and the pacey wide midfield player has the ability to terrify full backs with his movement, whilst providing a cutting edge on the ball.
•One to watch - Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski has been in scintillating form in the Bundesliga this season, and having sunk Bayern Munich with a hat trick in the German cup final, alerted the attention of Europe's top clubs to his talents. A good Euro's this summer will surely see interest in the striker rebuffed, and give Poland a strong chance of progressing to the latter stages.
•Prediction - Quarter finals.
Greece
•Chances - The shock winners of the 2004 competition remain huge underdogs in this summers competition, and will have to produce similar heroics with a limited squad in order to progress from the group stages. Having qualified without losing a single game however, the Greeks will once again be out to prove the doubters wrong, and are unlikely to be easily pushed over.
•Key Player - Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras will be key for the Greek's hopes, running tirelessly for the team, whilst also chipping in with the goals needed to put away opponents. In a relatively youthful squad, Samaras' experience will be vital to the Greek's chances of progression.
•One to watch - Young Schalke FC defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos has made huge strides in recent years, and become one of Europe's top emerging young defenders in the process. The young centre half will be needed to provide athleticism and steel to the Greek defence, which will likely come under close scrutiny during the tournament.
•Prediction - Eliminated in group stages.
Czech Republic
•Chances - Another relatively young footballing nation, the Czech Republic has produced some fine players down the years such as Pavel Nedved and Jan Koller, but never produced a consistent enough team to fully fulfil their undoubted talents. Their run to the semi-finals in the 2004 competition however, and the good form of players such as Tomas Rosicky means that if the Czech's can escape the group stages, they could progress further.
•Key man - Chelsea stopper Petr Cech has been a revelation in the premier league, providing match saving performances for Chelsea since his arrival in 2004. Cech will likely have to be on top form if the Czech's are to be a competitive force in the competition.
•One to watch - Young CSKA forward Tomas Necid has gradually grown into a regular feature of the Czech national team, and if Milan Baros fails to fire up front, will be called upon to make an impact from the bench with his 6" plus frame.
•Prediction - Eliminated in group stages.
Russia
•Chances - Likely to be favourites in the weakest group of the competition, the Russian's are always a dangerous proposition in the latter stages, as shown by their excellent performance in the 2008 championships. With much of their squad now seasoned international and Champions League players, Russia are well capable of upsetting some of the favourites.
•Key man - despite enduring a relatively torrid season for Arsenal before his loan move to Zenit, Andrei Arshavin remains Russia's lynchpin and captain, and will be looking for a repeat of the 2008 tournament where the attacking midfielder made his name.
•One to watch - 21 year old CSKA midfielder Alan Dzagoev is the youngest ever capped player for Russia, and his dynamism in the middle of the park will likely attract some interest from abroad if the midfielder can continue to impress for the national team.
•Prediction - Quarter finals.
Group B
Netherlands
•Chances - Despite never winning the tournament, the Netherlands have produced some of the greatest sides to grace world football, and their appearance at the 2010 world cup final will certainly put them up there as one of the main contenders. Blessed with attacking talent, but suspect at the back, the Dutch are one of those teams who if they turn up, can blow anybody out of the water.
•Key man - In a side containing Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Rafael Van der Vaart, it's very difficult to stand out, but Robin van Persie's goal scoring form this season will surely see the Dutch looking to him to fire them to glory.
•One to watch - Kevin Strootman, the young midfielder from Feyenoord has attracted much interest from some of Europe's top clubs, including Manchester United, and he will be keen to further enhance his growing reputation at the heart of the Dutch midfield.
•Prediction - Semi finals.
Denmark
•Chances - The victorious Denmark side of the 1992 European Championships remains one of the biggest shocks at a major tournament ever. Whilst the legend still lives on in Danish football, the current crop are unlikely to repeat that feat, and will have to produce a miracle to escape arguably the most difficult group in the championships.
•Key man - Denmark will undoubtedly look to self-proclaimed 'world's greatest footballer' Niklas Bendtner to fire in the goals and lead the Danes to a respectable finish against 3 of Europe's top sides. Bendtner has enjoyed a mini revival under Martin O Neil at Sunderland, and will be looking to attract potential suitors as his Arsenal career looks likely to be over.
•One to watch - Ajax's Christian Eriksen is subject to advances from plenty of Europe's top clubs, and the young playmaker will once again be looking to raise eyebrows after bursting onto the scene in a friendly against England a few years ago.
•Prediction - Eliminated in group stages.
Portugal
•Chances - Armed with the greatest player in European football, Cristiano Ronaldo, and having enjoyed successful runs in the competition in 2000 and 2004, Portgual look to be somewhat of a dark horse to win the championships. They are arguably able to boast one of the strongest first XI's in the tournament, however the age old Portguese problem of lacking a prolific central striker to support their fine wingers could once again hinder them.
•Key man - Nobody will doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo ultimately hold's the key to Portugal's chances, the Real Madrid forward has amassed circa 60 goals this term, and if on form, could drive Portugal to the latter stages.
•One to watch - Joao Moutinho is the hub of the Portugal side, and along with Raul Meireiles and Miguel Veloso provide the Portguese with a midfield packed with quality and industry. Despite not fully living up to his early hype, Moutinho remains a player capable of game changing performances, and able to provide the essential service to Ronaldo.
•Prediction - Eliminated in group stages.
Germany
•Chances - Most probably second favourites for the tournament to Spain, but their impressive performances at the 2010 World Cup will have many experts tipping them for the title. German football is on a meteoric rise, and the national team epitomises this with a brand of attacking football, supplemented with the traditional German steel making them a formidable force this summer.
•Key man - Bastian Schweinsteiger is the lynchpin of the German side, operating all over the middle of the park to break up the opponents play, but also providing devastating quality on the ball. Schweinsteiger's magnificence in the midfield allows Germany's attacking talent to flourish, and he could well be lifting the trophy come the end of June.
•One to watch - Mario Gotze has lit up the Bundesliga in the past 2 seasons, guiding Borussia Dortmund to two successive titles, and along with Thomas Muller, Marco Reus and Toni Kroos make up Germany's quintet of great prospects to lead the national team to present, and future glories.
•Prediction - Winners
Group C
Spain
•Chances - The reigning European and World champions remain the team to beat in the competition, and will be looking to retain their title in Poland/Ukraine this summer. Spain mix Barcelona's brand of possession football with an enhanced ability to be resolute in defence, making them serial winning machines. It will take a brave man to bet against them.
•Key man - Amongst all the attacking prowess Spain have at their disposal, Andres Iniesta remains the man who can unpick the lock when it matters the most. The scorer of the winning goal in the 2010 world cup will once again be pivotal to punch the holes in opponent's defences and chip in with important goals.
•One to watch - Jordi Alba looks set to complete a move to Barcelona this summer, but the young Valencia full back will likely make an impression at this tournament, providing Spain with blistering pace down the left hand side, an area which the Spaniards have been weak of late.
•Prediction - Runners up.
Italy
•Chances - After a somewhat shambolic world cup campaign, the Italians will be looking to return to their traditional tournament force in the summer. With quality players like Danielle De Rossi, Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon at their core, it would be unwise to rule them out of making a huge impact at the tournament.
•Key man - Giorgio Chiellini has been a rock at the back for Juventus this season, and will look to keep that form going if Italy are to have a realistic chance of winning the title. His understanding with Buffon in goal will likely be key in ensuring the Italian's preserve their reputation as being amongst the shrewdest defences in world football.
•One to watch - All eyes will likely be on Mario Balotelli and his antics, but A.C. Milan full back Ignazio Abate provides the Italians with great pace and energy, and looks to be amongst the most talented young defenders in Europe.
•Prediction - Quarter finals
Republic of Ireland
•Chances - Ireland will almost certainly win the backing of many of the neutrals, and will welcome the return to tournament football after their heartbreak v France in the world cup qualifiers. Unfortunately for the Irish, a group containing the Italians and current world champions looks difficult to progress from, but early exit is unlikely to deter hordes of Irish descending on central Europe!
•Key man - Robbie Keane at the tender age of 31 still provides Ireland with a genuine goal threat up front, and the striker's spell at Villa in January proved to the critics that he still very much has the ability to score goals at the highest level.
•One to watch - Young Sunderland winger James McClean has massively impressed in the Premier League this season, and will be looking to add zest to Ireland's workman like approach in the latter stages of games.
•Prediction - Eliminated in group stages.
Croatia
•Chances - Under coach Slaven Bilic, Croatia have made remarkable progress and become a side to truly reckon with on the European and world stage. Having famously knocked England out at the qualifying stage for the 2008 tournament, the Croat's will be out to once again demonstrate the attacking flair at their disposal, although their hopes hinge on getting a positive result against either the Italians or Spanish.
•Key man - Arguably one of the finest midfield players in world football, Luka Modric can dominate games with his superb array of passing and admirable energy around the pitch. With a player so gifted in their side, if he hits form, Croatia are well capable of upsetting the favourites in this group and progressing to the quarter finals.
•One to watch - Lyon defender Dejan Lovren has been on the radar of many of Europe's top clubs for several years now, and the commanding centre back will be looking to enhance his growing reputation with some convincing performances at the championships this summer.
•Prediction - Eliminated in group stages.
Group D
Ukraine
•Chances - The second of the host nations come into the championships as a relatively unknown quantity, having only really established themselves as an independent footballing entity in 1994. However, their run to the quarter finals of the 2006 world cup raised a few eyebrows in the footballing world, and talents such as Andriy Shevchenko have firmly put Ukrainian football on the map.
•Key man - Despite famously flopping at Chelsea after his £30 million move from AC Milan, Andriy Shevchenko remains Ukraine's major goal threat and best player, having scored 46 times in over 100 appearances.
•One to watch - Young Dynamo Kiev forward Andriy Yarmolenko has emerged as the rising star of Ukrainian football, leading to the obvious comparisons between him and Shevchenko. The 22 year old is likely to be used as a left winger, but has the ability to drift inside and provide goals, making the Ukrainian's a potent attacking threat.
•Prediction - Eliminated in group stages.
Sweden
•Chances - Sweden's international football pedigree has been a long and prosperous one, achieving a runner up, and 2 third place finishes in the world cup as well as reaching the semi-finals of the 1992 European championships. An injury blow to young Manchester City star John Guidetti however has struck a bitter blow to Sweden's preparation, and they will do well to qualify from the groups.
•Key man - Charismatic, unpredictable but undoubtedly brilliant, Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains one of the world's finest strikers, and if in the right mood, can bully even the best defences in the world with consummate ease.
•One to watch - 24 year old AZ Alkmaar midfielder Rasmus Elm has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, and the stylish defensive midfielder has the potential to use his range of passing, as well as accurate free kicks to fire Sweden to surprise results against England and France.
•Prediction - Eliminated in group stages.
France
•Chances - France's world cup campaign left the national team in disarray, but the appointment of Laurent Blanc has seen the French steady the ship and emerge as a force in world football once again. A footballing lesson handed to group rivals England at Wembley showed how rapid the French recovery had been, and having won the tournament back in 2000, will be looking to make great inroads in the competition.
•Key man - Karim Benzema has been in blistering form for Real Madrid this season, notching over 30 goals on the way to the La Liga title. A continuation of this form, along with the playmaking abilities of Samir Nasri and Frank Ribery providing the ammunition, makes France look an extremely difficult proposition.
•One to watch - Yann M'Vila the Stades Rennes midfield enforcer has been a revelation both in Ligue 1 and the French national side, and will likely be tasked with fulfilling a similar role to that of Patrick Vieira during the French domination of football at the turn of the century.
•Prediction - Semi Finals.
England
•Chances - 50 years of hurt for England has looked increasingly unlikely to end after the debacle surrounding Fabio Capello and appointment of Roy Hodgson just a month prior to the tournament, throwing preparation into disarray. With expectations remarkably low however, this could provide England with an opportunity to play without the traditional over expectation looming over them, and may bear some pleasant results.
•Key man - Despite being out of the 1st two games of the tournament, Wayne Rooney remains England's only truly world class player, and if England can make their way to the knock out rounds, Rooney can genuinely win them games single handed.
•One to watch - Leighton Baines has enjoyed a terrific season with Everton, and the vastly underrated left back provides England with genuine quality from set pieces, as well as a defensive solidity which they will need to seriously compete at the tournament.
•Prediction - Quarter finals.