Will be among the favourites for a competition thay have only won once, at home in 1968. However, the emergence of Vialli's Juventus team-mates, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Alessandro Del Piero, has eased the Italians' passage. Berti Vogts, the coach, has tended to rely on Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich for the bulk of his team. Often criticised, but usually come good when it matters.ItalyArrigo Sacchi, despite only losing the World Cup final on penalties, continues to be castigated at home, not least for his continued exclusion of Gianluca Vialli. Jurgen Klinsmann will relish a return to England and the whole team will be looking to go one better than in 1966. Tremendous record in these championships - winners in 1972 and 1980, and twice runners-up, including the last final in Sweden. But would they dare play at Old Trafford without Eric, or at St James' Park without "Daveed"?GermanyPerennial favourites in their sixth successive finals, a European Championship record.
Some very exciting talent in Youri Djoraeff, Patrice Loko and Christian Karembeu. A bold approach from the coach, Aime Jaquet, who gave Zinedine Zidane a debut in the key match in Romania, and he scored twice Winners in 1984 at home, and a good outside bet this time. As in 1966, they could play every game at Wembley, which would be a massive advantage.FranceFlirted with danger but eventually qualified in style - and without Eric Cantona, David Ginola or Jean-Pierre Papin. Signs, in recent performances against Colombia and Switzerland, that things are coming together. Much will depend on Paul Gascoigne finding the form of Italia '90, on Alan Shearer rediscovering his scoring touch, and on Terry Venables, the manager, surviving the constant drip of rumour and allegation about his business affairs. Richard Moller Neilsen, the mastermind behind the 1992 win, will retire after the finals, Denmark's fourth in succession.EnglandLittle pedigree in this competition - just a third place in 1968 - but will never have a better chance.
Many players, including Peter Schmeichel, the Manchester United goalkeeper, were missing. Domestic problems with widespread belief that the last league title was "fixed" in favour of Sparta Prague. Jan Stejskal, once of QPR, now with runners-up Slavia Prague, withdrew from the national team in protest while a poll showed 89 per cent of fans disbelieved a denial by the president of the Czech federation. Winners in 1976, but have not qualified since 1980.DenmarkThe holders, having won in Sweden after being recalled from their holidays just weeks before the 1992 finals when Yugoslavia were expelled.
