Germany

With Michael Ballack back fit and in the form of his life, Germany look strong contenders for the title. Ballack had an outstanding second half of the season for Chelsea and the 31-year-old midfielder capped a great performance against Serbia with the winning goal in the team's last match before departing for Switzerland.

"I've never seen Ballack in better form," said Guenter Netzer, the former midfielder who inspired West Germany's European championship success in 1972. "He can and will make the difference for Germany this time."

Coach Joachim Loew has plenty of other players of proven quality, including goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, midfielder Torsten Frings and striker Miroslav Klose, the top scorer at the World Cup in 2006, when Germany finished third on home soil.

Germany, three times European champions, play their opening match this time against Poland in Klagenfurt on June 8.