Up for grabs

With England not involved in this years championships I have the fortunate position of not having to focus on them and open myself to other nations and the chances of sucess in this years competition. For once I believe it could be one my so many nations and that there isn't a clear favourite. Without England in the competition, ironically it could the most exciting European Championships in the long time.

Italy the world champions will be looking to be the second country to win the World Cup and then the Euro's successfully. However with a new manager in place it seems unlikely that they will produce a similar result. They went to Germany with an ageing team and very similar players return this time around. Teams will have different and younger teams than this Italian side and this will be there downfall, expect them to get out of there group containing both Holland and France, but possibly facing Spain in the quarter -finals will be where they find themselves unstuck.

So if there is to be no repeat of 2006 who will be there come the end? The loosing finalists France looked terrible to be kind against England in there Friendly earlier this year and although they won the game you can't see this team taking the title even if they do scrape themselves into the semi-finals. This competition is one that you can stumble into the semi-finals without really playing a difficult match.

Spain have a magnificent squad on paper, but when have we never said that? I think again they will flatter to deceive and another close call will see them fall short. I'm not going to be another naive football supporter and back them to win, I've been conned to many times.

Cristiano Ronaldo will b keen to remind everyone that he is the best player in the world. The current Manchester United player dominated in 2004 and this year similar will be expected of him. More so it will be presumed that he will lead his side to triumph. However as United showed in their season you need more than one player to take you to glory. In this Portuguese side I don't see a Rooney or a Tevez to go alongside Ronaldo, therefore I see a tired Ronaldo tirelessly striving to get his side into the final and falling at the last hurdle.

The reason why England have failed in major competition is because of the strenous season the premiership puts on you. So within reason the best team with the least depleted players from the Premiership will be best equipped to tackle this years championship. That's why I tip Germany to take the title they last won twelve years ago at Euro '96.

Only Michael Ballack has played any first team Premier league football, and he only played for half a season due to injury. And fo that remaining part he was the driving force that took Chelsea so close to overhauling United as champions and European Cup winners. So therefore he is relatively rested and as Germany's best player goes into the tournament in form. Add to that one of the most potent strike duo in International football of Klose and Lucas Podolski. Klose is the most ruthless centre forward in the world right now and was top scorer in the last world cup. With so many close calls in recent years this is the year to bring back the German pride that we saw back in '96. And remember, they never lose on penalties.

I can't see past the Germans, and I can't see an upset like we saw Greece do in 2004. It might be exciting, but it will be Germany.