EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: The teams and how they rate: Group B

Austria
Austria’s first appearance in an European championship final tournament comes by virtue of co-hosting the event. The team’s decline and frequent defeats in recent years have even prompted an online petition, signed by thousands, asking that Austria withdrew from the event to avoid embarrassment. The co-hosts are ranked as absolute outsiders to lift the trophy. Winning just one of their 12 matches in 2007, Austria’s mission to salvage its reputation looks doomed unless it discovers a sudden knack for scoring goals.
Best result: debut appearance
Odds: 80/1 (Coral), 100/1 (Ladbrokes), 100/1 (William Hill)

Croatia
Under coach Slaven Bilic, Croatia delivered one of the upsets of Euro 2008 qualifying, doing the double over England to prevent the Three Lions from going to the final tournament. Bilic has allied resilience to an attacking style of play for his side, which resulted in an impressive points total and goals scored record. An ageing defence and the absence of Eduardo da Silva, Croatia’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign, who is out with a broken leg, are potential worries.
Best result: quarterfinal (1996)
Odds: 12/1 (Coral), 12/1 (Ladbrokes), 12/1 (William Hill)

Germany
Although Germany finished second in its qualifying group, it was the first country to secure a place in the Euro 2008 finals. Bookmakers have made Germany the early favourites, in part due to its proximity to the host countries. Surprisingly, the team has not won a single match in the finals since lifting the trophy in 1996, but thousands of are fans expected to travel to the matches, which could help re-create the atmosphere that propelled Germany to a semi-final appearance in 2006, when it hosted the World Cup.
Best result: winner (1972 and 1980 as West Germany, 1996 as Germany)
Odds: 7/2 (Coral), 4/1 (Ladbrokes), 4/1 (William Hill)

Poland
Under the guidance of Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker, Poland will make its first-ever appearance in an European championship final tournament, thanks to the nine goals scored by striker Euzebiusz Smolarek. The team finished top of its group, ahead of Portugal and Serbia, showing themselves capable of standing up to top opposition, although the lack of any experience playing at the highest international level could prove a serious drawback.
Best result: debut appearance
Odds: 50/1 (Coral), 40/1 (Ladbrokes), 40/1 (William Hill)