Group A: Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey.
This is one of the more interesting groups. I fully expect Portugal to top this group. Usually, the natural second-placed side would be the Czechs, but the Swiss are the hosts and it's a while since a host nation failed to reach the later stages of this competition. Switzerland will certainly be putting up a fight and play Portugal in their last game, which could be a crucial factor if the Portuguese have already made it through by that point. With respect, this group will be too strong for the Turks.
Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland.
Here's another group that has the 'host nation factor' in it. The Austrians will not be as strong as the Swiss, so this time I expect the strongest teams, Germany and Croatia to battle it out for top spot and for quarter-final qualification to be quite straight-forward. I cannot see Poland getting a win out of this group. My tip for the tournament, Germany, should win this group, though Slaven Billic's Croatia looked impressive against England during qualifying.
Group C: France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania.
What an intriguing group this is. Of all the groups, it is undoubtedly the 'group of death'. It won't be easy to play in and it's no easier to predict either. France and Italy will do battle again in the final round of group matches. It's n0t straightforward. Both nations have been prone to shocks in the past (Remember France v Senegal and Italy v South Korea) and if either has slipped up against a Romania side, who qualified impressively with a run of 10 successive wins, one of the sides could be put out in the final game if the Dutch or Romanians take their chance. And I am putting my neck on the line and predicting a shock! I think France or Italy will slip up and Romania, who took four points off of the Dutch in qualifying, will come roaring through. Marco Van Basten's Orange army to face disaster then in his first tournament as coach and Romania to join the Italians in the quarter-finals.
Group D: Greece, Russia, Spain, Sweden.
This could be a close group. The Russians were sturdy performers in qualifying, and, Spain aside, this is a group of gritty sides who grind out results. I'm not expecting too much excitement on the goals front. Spain should win this one, and should be joined by Russia. The holders, Greece, face a tough final game against Spain, and though they may already be through at that stage, I do not forecast the Greeks winning that game.
Quarter-Finals:
Portugal v Croatia
Germany v Czech Republic
Italy v Russia
Spain v Romania
I think all four group winners will progress to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals:
Portugal v Germany
Italy v Spain
The first game could ultimately decide which player will get the golden boot in this year's tournament, with Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal and Miroslav Klose of Germany both hot favourites to win it. Whichever one's nation progresses, they will get one more game to put goals in the net. Germany are usually pretty resilient and I put my money on them to make the final, to face Italy. There is too much hype about Spain and this is where I think Spain's and another golden boot favourite Fernando Torres's European journey will end.
Final:
Germany v Italy
If this is the final, it will be a tightly-contested affair, as with most top level football finals recently. I fancy the Germans to win it, but not by much.
There are my predictions. Now all that's left is to see how the tournament unfolds. The first game is in 10 minutes, as Switzerland face the Czech Republic at 5pm.
For more exciting predictions, check out Starting Eleven's take on how proceedings will go.
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