Who is going to win Euro 2008?

No home countries have made it and some see these European championship as a non event but with some of the best players in world football on view its sure to be a classic.

So we dont have to wait for a quarter final exit on penalties this year because we didnt even make and that is solely down to the England players as they were simply were not good enough. But who will you be cheering for? Personally, im going for the Dutch who have got a good squad and, like England, have underachieved in previous tournaments. With players like Van Nistelrooy, Robben and Schneider they have got as good a chance as anyone.

The favourites (and rightly so) are Italy who will look to take their world cup winning team to Austria and Switzerland and look to become only the 2nd team in history to win the Euros straight after winning a world cup after France did in by winning the world cup in 1998 and then the Euros in 2000. Italy not only have the best players but they also have the strongest squad and thats the important part.

Lets not discard the likes of Portugal, who have the best player in the world right now in Cristiano Ronaldo who is capable of winning a match single handedly. Also France, runners-up in the world cup should not be taken lightly as should not the Germans who always seem to do well whatever their squad looks like on paper.

Whoever you are cheering for, im sure it will be a tournament to remember and at least there will be no tears and hard luck stories at the end of it!

It seems to always happen but once again there is a "group of death". The group of death this year involves France (former world and european champions), Italy (reigning world champions), the Netherlands (former european champions) and the unfortuante Romanians.

Imagine being Romanian...you slog it out to qualify and work your socks off to get there. On the day of the draw you pray for a good draw, you know you are likely to get one of the big boys but imagine the disappointment as you draw 3 of the favourites in the your group. Now im not saying that Romania have no chance but the odds are packed against them!

So which one of Italy, France and The Netherlands will be eliminated at the first hurdle? most people would say The Netherlands, but I can see a weakness in France that might mean they are the team to miss out. Italy also have Fabio Cannavaro out for the tournament and they will miss their captain but I expect them to have enough cover to cope.

Heres my prediction: Italy will come top, The Netherlands will just pip France to second and that qualifying spot. I think Romania might get something against France which in the end will prove costly.

Well thats all folks! Spain are the winners of Euro 2008 and deservedly so in my eyes. Their combination of resolute defending and slick football ended their 44 year wait for a trophy and they did it in style.

Many must have thought that when penalties came along against the Italians, that would be that but Spain got through and showed after all these years that they can handle the big stage and the party will probably carry on into the night in Spain.

On the whole it has been a great competition (bar the Romania vs France game). There have been shocks as always with Turkey twice being on the brink of elimination against the Czechs and Croatia and then twice coming back to win! The total football played by Holland in the group stages was undone by a classy Russian performance and Portugal flattered to deceive with an average performance against Germany.

How the Germans managed to get to the final was a mystery in itself but nobody should be surprised really! Czech republic are now a team in transition and they missed Nedved and Poborsky. The home nations played well at times but in the end it was a waste of 2 teams really.

The tournament belonged to Spain though, Ramos and Puyol were immense at the back and Ike Casillas was fantastic. In the middle, Xavi, Iniesta and (in the end) Fabregas played some scintillating Football that pleased all and David Villa finished with the Golden Boot. Even Torres who had a quiet tournament on the whole popped up with the most important goal he has ever scored in his career.

I suppose the one thing about the final that wasn't great was how easy it was and the fact that there was no drama was a little disappointing but nevertheless, Spain (deservedly) are European champions! Bring on Poland and Ukraine in 2012.

My pick of the best:

Best Match: Holland vs France

Worst Match: France vs Romania

Best Goal: Scheider vs France

Player of the Tournament: Ike Casillas

Best keeper: Ike Casillas

Best defender: Sergio Ramos

Best Midfielder: Wesley Schneider

Best Striker: David Villa

What do you think? Let me know.