In the first installment of our Euro 2012 predictions, columnist Danny Mills plus four TEAMtalk writers discuss their pre-tournament thoughts.
The European Championship finals get underway in the city of Warsaw on Friday as co-hosts Poland kick off the tournament against Greece.
We've canvassed the opinions of TEAMtalk columnist and former England defender Danny Mills, as well as the rest of the website's writers, for a two-part predictions bonanza.
After losing the World Cup final, the Netherlands will want to prove a point - Robin van Persie and Wesley Sniejder will provide an unstoppable strike force, and it could be like Euro 88 all over again. Germany are always great in tournaments, and the Bayern Munich contingent can erase memories of their painful Champions League final defeat. France are getting it right under Laurent Blanc and are in top form; they have an outside chance.
As for England, I fear they'll be knocked out in Group D. Roy Hodgson is taking an injury-hit squad dented by yet more injuries in the last few days - as usual, it looks like the impossible job. Goals are likely to be in short supply so skipper Gerrard may even be England's top scorer.
Spain look a touch weary - there's no Villa or Puyol, and Torres is in no great form. They'll do enough to win Group C but I think the semis will be as far as they'll go this time.
Winners: Netherlands; Runners-up: Germany; Long shot: France
Top goalscorer: Robin van Persie
England progress: Knocked out in group; England top goalscorer: Steven Gerrard
Group A: Winners: Poland; Runners-up: Czech Republic
Group B: Winners: Holland; Runners-up: Germany
Group C: Winners: Spain; Runners-up: Italy
Group D: Winners: France; Runners-up: Sweden
Italy's pre-tournament plans have been rocked to the core by the match-fixing investigation and their form in recent weeks has been disastrous - but I'm going to stand by gut feeling that they'll somehow pull it together when the real business kicks off.
In Cassano, Balotelli and Di Natale they have a fearsome strikeforce to choose from - and their pedigree should stand them in good stead, although I expect them to start slowly and build momentum as the tournament goes on.
I'm backing the impressive Germans to also reach the final having swept all before them in the qualifying stages - and think Russia could be a surprise package having ruthlessly dismantled the Italians last week.
Roy Hodgson may have won his first two games in charge, but even with a full-strength squad - let alone the injury-ravaged one at his disposal - I believe reaching the quarter-finals is a realistic target to set. Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck will be scrapping it out for the starting spot up front until Wayne Rooney is available, so I'm backing Ashley Young to be our top goalscorer.
Winners: Italy; Runners-up: Germany; Long shot: Russia
Top goalscorer: Antonio Di Natale
England progress: Quarter-finals; England top goalscorer: Ashley Young
Group A: Winners: Russia; Runners-up: Czech Republic
Group B: Winners: Germany; Runners-up: Netherlands
Group C: Winners: Italy; Runners-up: Spain
Group D: Winners: Ukraine; Runners-up: England
Spain are the favourites but without David Villa, I think they lack the firepower to get past teams that will undoubtedly try to stifle them.
If results go as I expect them to, I think England will meet Vicente Del Bosque's side in the last eight and knock them out - think of it as Chelsea v Barcelona round two, with the same result.
Everyone is writing England off, but I think that will help - for the first time, the players do not have the expectation of a nation on their shoulders and they'll want to prove people wrong. What's more, Roy Hodgson will be more aware than any manager for a long time in the team's strengths and weaknesses, and he'll set us up accordingly.
The 'wild card' in my predictions is France, who are capable of beating the Group B runners-up - probably the Netherlands - in the semi-finals, but I don't think any team is strong enough to beat Germany, who are strong at the back and have the best attacking options of any side in the tournament.
I think Ireland will make the quarter-finals, hence me naming them as my 'long shot'.
Winners: Germany; Runners-up: Netherlands; Long shot: Republic of Ireland
Top goalscorer: Karim Benzema
England progress: Semi-finals; England top goalscorer: Ashley Young
Group A: Winners: Russia; Runners-up: Poland
Group B: Winners: Germany; Runners-up: Netherlands.
Group C: Winners: Spain; Runners-up: Republic of Ireland
Group D: Winners: France; Runners-up: England
Spain will be most people's favourites but without David Villa and Carles Puyol, I'm not as confident in their prospects of retaining the Henri Delaunay trophy.
Germany, on the other hand, go to the finals at full strength and having had two years together to build on their superb showing at the 2010 World Cup, I can see this being their year.
Joachim Low's first XI does not differ greatly from the side he fielded in South Africa and while they may not always be as pleasing on the eye as Spain, they can be just as devastating in attack, with Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller buzzing around goal machine Miroslav Klose.
They appear even stronger than the world champions in defence. Low's solid back four is sandwiched by Bastian Schweinsteiger and probably Sami Khedira ahead of them, with one of the world's best goalkeepers adding an extra layer of protection behind.
Low also has plenty in reserve should he need to turn to his bench. Toni Kroos could even start in midfield, with fit-again Mario Gotze waiting in the wings should Ozil struggle to shake off the after-effects of a long season at Real Madrid.
France enjoyed very different fortunes at the World Cup, but Laurent Blanc has restored the pride in Les Bleus and with a young and vibrant attack, I can see them going further than many expect.
Winners: Germany; Runners-up: France; Long shot: Russia
Top goalscorer: Mario Gomez
England progress: Quarter-finals; England top goalscorer: Ashley Young
Group A: Winners: Russia; Runners-up: Poland
Group B: Winners: Netherlands; Runners-up: Germany
Group C: Winners: Spain; Runners-up: Italy
Group D: Winners: France; Runners-up: England
Spain almost have too much quality to choose from, and will self-implode. Lack of defensive cover may also lead to their downfall, as they will miss Carlos Puyol immensely.
France are long overdue a big performance in a major championship, and with Laurent Blanc at the helm, they will be a well organised and disciplined unit. Although the overall squad quality isn't as extensive as many of the other 'big guns', in Ribery and Nasri they have the creative ability to create Karim Benzema the chances to fire Les Bleus to glory.
Germany are well fancied, and I can see them fulfilling their promise and reaching the final. The Dutch have a very strong squad, but I never fancy them in major tournaments, and can't see them getting out of their group. I think France will just have the edge, but it will be mightily close.
England will do well to reach the quarter-finals - anything more and Roy may well be paying a visit to Buckingham Palace.
Winners: France; Runners-up: Germany; Long shot: Poland
Top goalscorer: Karim Benzema
England progress: Quarter-finals; England top goalscorer: Ashley Young
Group A: Winners: Poland; Runners-up: Russia
Group B: Winners: Germany; Runners-up: Portugal
Group C: Winners: Italy; Runners-up: Spain
Group D: Winners: France; Runners-up: England
Let us know your thoughts and your own predictions for the tournament by posting a Comment below.
Click here for the rest of the TEAMtalk crew's predictions for Euro 2012.
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