Euro 2008 team profile: Germany

Germany

Written off before the 2006 World Cup, they answered the critics in sensational style, seducing the home fans all over again before an agonising semi-final defeat to Italy. Carried this momentum through to Euro qualifying and have scored for fun in subsequent friendlies. Coach Joachim Low was the assistant and alleged real mastermind behind the World Cup campaign and gets the chance for his own kudos.

The squad looks well balanced, with a mixture of youth and experience all over the field, however expectations are back up again and hard to justify their position as clear favourites in a competitive tournament. The three group rivals will be all out to fell the fatherland but a quarter final spot at least looks assured.

EURO 2008 GROUP B:  AUSTRIA - CROATIA - GERMANY - POLAND

Main man: Michael Ballack

Still the main man for the national team, yet doesn't have to carry them as in tournaments past. Got better as the season went on for Chelsea and will enjoy playing the role of an ageing maestro, with younger legs around to run for him. Few footballers have thrived as well on the biggest stage.

One to watch: Mario Gomez

The 22 year old burst onto the Bundesliga scene this year, to the extent that he is likely to start the opening match ahead of Podolski and Kuranyi. With 19 goals in 25 games for Stuttgart and 6 in 9 at international level, plus plenty of size, strength and speed, 'Super Mario' is primed to unleash on the game.