Group D

England

Preparations haven’t exactly gone to plan, the manager has only been in place for around a month and the star player is suspended for the first two fixtures.  It is hard to see the positives; expectations are understandably excruciatingly low.

Qualification didn’t exactly go as smoothly as expected, but with five wins and three draws it crucially means they stayed unbeaten.  One plus point they can take is how the goals were shared, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Ashley Young and Darren Bent, who unfortunately failed to make the cut through injury, all finished equal with three goals.

Two unconvincing 1-0 wins against Norway and Belgium have done little to generate any hope; realistically it seems like the quarter finals at best.  That is if they can navigate their way through the first games without their talisman.

Key Man

With Rooney suspended for those first two encounters, it is up to Steven Gerrard to really stand up and be counted as captain.  As one of the remaining members of the ‘golden generation,’ you would expect that this will be his last chance to taste success at international level.

Over the years he has been seen dragging Liverpool out of the mire time and time again, similar inspirational performances could be required this summer.  If takes responsibility to stand up and be counted, the others may well just follow suit.

One To Watch

Arsenal wonder kid Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain could explode on to the scene, if given the chance this summer.  Although well known on our shores, on a European and Worldwide scale knowledge of the 18-year-old will not be as vast.

His fearless nature could be his real advantage, not afraid to turn and run at a Defender no matter who they are and no matter their reputation.  He will however have to overhaul club mate Theo Walcott and maybe the preferred James Milner for that chance though.

France

Laurent Blanc has worked wonders to transform a team that performed so miserably at the World Cup two years ago, into genuine contenders this time around.  There is undoubted talent running right through the side, and the 4-0 demolition of Estonia in their final warm up, accompanied by some lovely goals, was the perfect tonic.

However, it didn’t look all so rosy in Blanc’s first competitive game in charge.  A 1-0 home defeat to Belarus threatened to derail their campaign before it had even began.  Four consecutive victories thereafter though turned things around, and three draws and two wins in the final five games was enough to seal qualification.

Key Man

When plying his trade in France Karim Benzema was one of the hottest properties in the world, but after opting for Real Madrid his performances fell off.  Now though he is justifying the €30m, and under Jose Mourinho has been flourishing in La Liga as his side ended the Barcelona monopoly and stormed to the title.

Benzema is now charged with leading the French attack into Euro 2012, but will have to be on the top of the game to keep Olivier Giroud on the bench.  The Montpelier hit man has flourished when given a chance in the national side, and will be determined to showcase his talents this summer.

One To Watch

One man the Premier League has been hearing a lot about in recent months is holding midfielder Yann M’Vila.  Despite only having made a handful of appearances at international level his stock continues to rise, with his club resigned to losing him this summer.  Arsenal are long time admirers and have been urged to make a move by many parties, but many other top European club are waiting in the wings ready to make a move.

Sweden

Perennial nemesis of the Three Lions, you could almost sense that the same group would beckon for these nations.  After failing to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, Sweden will be keen to make amends and progress from the group stages would be seen as huge positive.

However it nearly didn’t happen this time around either, with seven victories and two defeats in nine qualifiers they need to beat the Netherlands at home to secure their place.  Not an easy prospect against a side who had stormed all put before them, but they duly delivered and progressed in a best runners up spot.

Key Man

When you think of Sweden, the imperious Zlatan Ibrahimovic springs to mind.  Wherever he has plied in trade he has scored goals galore, but the one major doubt that has blighted his career in his ability to do so at the very highest level.  If Sweden are to progress here though they will need him on top form and firing on all cylinders.

One To Watch

Sebastian Larsson could perhaps go down as one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.  The Sunderland midfield has a terrific crossing ability, often makes a nuisance of himself by getting in the right areas in and around the box and everyone knows of his tremendous quality from dead ball situations.  These qualities could be key for Ibrahimovic finding the net on a regular basis, you have been warned.

Ukraine

The co-hosts qualify automatically of course, so Ukraine have been preparing through a series of friendlies.  When their crippling injury problems didn’t take over that that is.  They will take huge heart from last years draw with Germany and the fact they are currently unbeaten in four, but on the whole results have been four.  With the greatest of respects to Ukraine, you would expect it to be a straight fight between the other three teams in the group for the top two spots.

Key Man

The most capped player in Ukrainian footballing history will have to be at his ultimate best if Ukraine are to avoid being whipping boys.  Step forward Anatoliy Tymoshchuk.  The Bayern Munich midfielder is the rock at the heart of the midfield, and will to produce inspirational performances to spur on his troops.

One To Watch

22-year-old winger and striker Andriy Yarmolenko could well be the one big hope for a bright future for Ukrainian football.  After netting on his international debut, he followed that up last year by underlining his credentials with a goal against Germany.

He has progressed through the ranks at Dynamo Kiev and has been a full international for some three years, he could well be on to bigger and better things with a good showing this summer.