Team profiles

CZECH REPUBLIC

Czech Republic have become accustomed to playing in the European Championship - they have qualified for every finals since gaining independence in 1993 - and the target this time around is a place in the quarter-finals.

Czech Republic playmaker Tomas Rosicky looked back to his best for Arsenal in the Premier League

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Michal Bilek's team qualified via the play-offs, beating Montenegro home and away, after finishing second in a group which contained the mighty Spain when playing for silver was the only realistic target.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech showed his quality by helping Chelsea to win the Champions League final, while Tomas Rosicky was back to his best as Arsenal finished third in the Premier League.

Euro 2004 Golden Boot winner Milan Baros still leads the line and the last eight would probably be a realistic goal.

GREECE

Shock winners in 2004, Greece are looking to show that lightning can strike twice with bookmakers once again writing them off.

Fernando Santos will have Greece well-organised in pursuit of a shock triumph like the 2004 tournament

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The Greeks qualified in first place, ahead of Croatia and they conceded only five goals in the section. That proves Fernando Santos' team will be well-organised and difficult to break down but question marks will always be asked of a limited forward line.

Group A is the weakest so they will be hoping to qualify but others make more appeal to finish in the top-two berths.

POLAND

The joint-hosts obviously have no competitive form to go on but Poland's friendly form is improving with  draws against Germany and Portugal and they could squeeze into the quarter-finals.

Robert Lewandowski's goals look key to the prospects of Poland

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Much will depend on the form of Borussia Dortmund double winners Lukasz Piszczek, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Robert Lewandowski, while Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny adds star quality to the No. 1 position.

If Lewandowski can bring his club form to the international arena then the Poles could be a real decent side.

RUSSIA

Russia are the obvious favourites to win Group A after finishing top of qualifying section which included Ireland, Slovakia, Macedonia and Armenia, who are one of Europe's most improved side.

Andrei Arshavin will be looking to star for Russia like he did in their run to the semi-finals in 2008

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The Russians were semi-finalists four years ago in Austria and Switzerland and some are tipping them for a similar performance this time around even though centre-back Vasily Berezutsky is injured.

Andrei Arshavin, the star of Euro 2008, remains a key player despite his poor run with Arsenal and manager Dick Advocaat will be hoping the loan move to Zenit St Petersburg boosts his confidence.

If Arshavin can produce his best then the knockout stage is a minimum requirement and anything else would be a bonus.

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