By Khilen Mehta

Also known as the group of death, every team in this group has the potential to knock the others out. With 3 previous winners in this group, it will be guaranteed to set the pulses racing with some free flowing, entertaining football.

France- France’s Group B campaign proved more of an ordeal than many would have anticipated although Italy’s 2-1 win in Scotland did them a big favour by making their final game in Ukraine a formality and allowed them to finish second in the group behind the Italians. Following successes in 1984 and 2000,France are the only other country apart from three-time winners Germans to have won the competition more than once. Their manager has dropped many of their ageing stars such as Trezeguet and instead the French will be relying on their new gems, such as Benzema and Nasri to lead them to their third European success. Everybody´s eyes will be on the game between the French and the Italians in this group as France try to avenge defeat in the World Cup final.

Manager- Raymond Domenech, “Experience is helpful, but one competition is never the same as the next.”

Key Player- Thierry Henry will be eager to recover from his Barcelona misery

Prediction- Their age will count against them this tournament, shock early exit

Italy- Replacing Marcello Lippi after Italy’s success at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, coach Roberto Donadoni made a shaky start in qualifying but his team eventually did enough to eventually qualify as Group B winners. They secured qualification both for themselves and France by beating Scotland 2-1 in Glasgow thanks to another goal from Toni and an added-time winner from defender Christian Panucci and a 3-1 win against the Faroe Islands in their final fixture earned them top spot in the section at France’s expense. Having won the European Championships in 1968, the Italians will be hoping to secure a second victory, forty years on from their previous triumph. With only Alessandro Nesta and Francesco Totti missing from their victorious World Cup squad, Italian fans will be quietly confident.

Manager- Roberto Donadoni,” I think that our ability to use several formations could be one of our strengths”

Key Player- Alessandro Del Piero was the top scorer in this seasons Serie A

Prediction- Defeat in the semi- finals