Germany

How they got there: Germany staked their place in Euro 2008, and their claim as favourites, in the time honoured manner of smashing goals past their opponents. Low's side netted 35 times and although they finished second to the Czechs in the qualifying group everyone knows they're the team to beat. Coach - Joachim Low: A man credited with being the brains behind the tactical approach of Jurgen Klinsmann's sublime side, Low took the job after the end of the 2006 World Cup campaign. Low has continued his predecessor's attacking flair during Euro 2008 qualifying. So while a stodgy England laboured against Andorra, Germany walloped 13 past San Marino. Star player - Michael Ballack: Although he's been sidelined through injury for large chunks of Chelsea's 2007/2008 season he remains a devastating finisher who could just come into form for this tournament. Buy the Germany kit here

Buy Euro 2008 tickets here Tactics: Germany play a 4-4-2 formation with Phillip Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder, and 22-year-old Marcel Jansen in defence. Bernd Schneider, Torsten Frings, Ballack, and Bastian Schweinsteiger make up the midfield, with Ballack the ring master. Frings plays just off the defence, with Podolski and Klose up front. Strengths: Germany have always enjoyed a reputation as a tough, disciplined side with near-superhuman fitness. Now Low has injected pace and verve into the side they look nigh-on unstoppable. Weaknesses: Injuries to key players might stem their goal rush, but there's such strength in depth no man's irreplaceable. Verdict: Almost certain finalists. If they were a band they would be: The Rolling Stones Helpful translation - "Entschuldigen Sie mich. Verkaufen Sie CD David-Hasselhoff hier, bitte?" is "Excuse me. Do you sell David Hasselhoff CDs here, please?" Euro 2008 - Official ball and replica balls

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