Euro 08 Teams

We assess the main contenders in the 2008 UEFA European championship…

Euro 08 Host Nations

In past European football tournaments, the host country has usually fared well, but both Austria and Switzerland lacked any real quality to make an impression this summer. Both had tough Euro 08 groups to navigate out of and, as the form book predicted, both made an early exit.

Defending European Football Champions

Former champions Greece had quietly gone about their business in qualifying, having beaten 10 out of 12 hopeful Euro 08 teams to reach the finals. Coach Otto Rehhagel's side has a good mix of experience and youth to choose from but reaching the Euro 08 knockout stages again was a bridge to far.

Euro 08 Favourites

Germany were looking to win their fourth UEFA European championship crown this year and, with Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose at their disposal, they will of been disappointed to of fallen at the final fence. The Germans have a knack of saving their best for the major tournaments and, even though Joachim Löw’s men were hardly world-beaters over the three weeks, they did enough, as the German's usually do, to make the show-piece final.

Current World Cup Champions

2006 World Cup winners Italy were gunning for a second UEFA European championship crown this year. Unfortunately, very little went to plan and the Azzurri wound up making few friends thanks to their negative style of football. They navigated their Euro 08 group of death safely but defeat at the hands of Spain was truly deserved.

Current European Champions

At every major tournament Spain always tend to flatter to deceive, but they made amends this year and won the famous trophy. Euro 08 Players Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas and David Villa were stars of the show, as Spain finally ended their barren spell and sent a nation into euphoric delight.

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