The home nations may have missed out but here we look at the 16 countries through to the finals in Austria and Switzerland
The home nations may have missed out but here we look at the 16 countries through to the finals in Austria and Switzerland
AUSTRIA
Coach: JOSEF HICKERSBERGER - The man who guided Austria to the 1990 World Cup is under pressure, hampered by a lack of competitive matches recently.
Star man: ERWIN HOFFER - With a dearth of real attacking pedigree, the young striker will be their leading light next summer.
Qualifying record: Co-hosts.
Tournament best: Never qualified.
Verdict: If the draw is kind, home support could help them past the first round but it remains unlikely.
CROATIA
Coach: SLAVEN BILIC - As a player, Bilic helped Croatia achieve third place at the 1998 World Cup and has got results as a coach since taking over in July last year.
Star man: EDUARDO DA SILVA - Ten goals in 12 qualifying games speak for themselves.
Qualifying record: Group E, W9 D2 L1.
Tournament best: Quarter-finals at Euro 96.
Verdict: A force to be reckoned with. Unlikely to win it, but too strong to be discounted.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Coach: KAREL BRUCKNER - Veteran coach with an admirable football ethos who ensured his side qualified comfortably for next summer.
Star man: JAN KOLLER - Often criticised but still doing his job well, the huge striker has scored six and set up four goals in the qualification stage.
Qualifying record: Group D, W9 D2 L1.
Tournament best: Runners-up to Germany in Euro 96.
Verdict: Like Croatia the Czech Republic have pedigree but are perennial dark horses.
FRANCE
Coach: RAYMOND DOMENECH - Much criticised tactician who reached the 2006 World Cup final and secured Euro 2008 qualification despite defeat at home to Scotland.
Star man: FRANCK RIBERY - Recent performances suggest creative schemer Ribery, and not Thierry Henry, is France's most important player.
Qualifying record: Group B, W8 D2 L2.
Tournament best: Winners 1984 and 2000.
Verdict: Likely to be favourites along with Italy, the side who beat them on penalties in Germany last year.
GERMANY
Coach: JOACHIM LOW - Respected but largely unknown coach who seamlessly replaced former boss Jurgen Klinsmann.
Star man: MIROSLAV KLOSE - Lukas Podolski may lead the scoring charts for the campaign but Bayern Munich striker Klose remains the key man up front for Low's side.
Qualifying record: Group D, W8 D3 L1.
Tournament best: Winners in 1972, 1980 and 1996.
Verdict: Few world-renowned superstars but a squad and coaching set-up capable of going all the way.
GREECE
Coach: OTTO REHHAGEL - German coach famous for guiding Greece to a highly unlikely Euro 2004 triumph in Portugal.
Star man: KONSTANTINOS KATSOURANIS - The Benfica star has inherited the role of midfield general from Theo Zagorakis and is Rehhagel's key man in the middle.
Qualifying record: Group C, W10 D1 L1.
Tournament best: Winners 2004.
Verdict: Highly unlikely to retain the title, but who would bet against them?
HOLLAND
Coach: MARCO VAN BASTEN - The World Cup was no great success and the current campaign has not been wonderful, but there remains a belief in Van Basten's masterplan.
Star man: WESLEY SNEIJDER - Ruud van Nistelrooy is a vital player up front but Holland need Sneijder on top form if they are to go all the way 20 years after their only success.
Qualifying record: Group G, W8 D2 L2.
Tournament best: Winners 1988.
Verdict: As ever, they have the quality but perhaps not the mental strength.
ITALY
Coach: ROBERTO DONADONI - Endured a difficult start after succeeding World Cup-winner Marcello Lippi but qualification has all-but assured he will take the side to next summer's tournament.
Star man: ANTONIO DI NATALE - A left-field choice but his abilities as a creator and goalscorer could make the difference. Euro 2008 could be his tournament.
Qualifying record: Group E, W9 D2 L1.
Tournament best: Winners 1968.
Verdict: The talent is there, as is the winning mentality. Only an outstanding side can stop them adding the Continental crown to their World Cup.
POLAND
Coach: LEO BEENHAKKER - A veteran coach with a wealth of experience, Beenhakker's magic touch has ensured Poland's spot in 2008.
Star man: EUZEBIUSZ SMOLAREK - Smolarek has scored nine goals in qualifying, behind only David Healy and Eduardo da Silva, to prove his accuracy in front of goal.
Qualifying record: Group A, W8 D4 L2.
Tournament best: Never qualified.
Verdict: More than capable of progressing to the knockout stages depending on the group draw.
PORTUGAL
Coach: LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI - Blunt, bullish Brazilian who recently found himself in hot water for trying to punch a Serbian player.
Star man: CRISTIANO RONALDO - One of the best players in the world, let alone Portugal. After a strong but not sensational 2006 World Cup, this could be his defining tournament.
Qualifying record: Group A, W7 D6 L1.
Tournament best: Runners-up to Greece in 2004.
Verdict: Along with Holland and Spain, these talented under-achievers certainly have the ability to win it.
ROMANIA
Coach: VICTOR PITURCA - Led Romania to Euro 2000 before being unceremoniously sacked. Returned to the job and failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup before bouncing back in this campaign.
Star man: ADRIAN MUTU - Has bounced back well from his disgrace at Chelsea, scoring and playing well for Fiorentina and Romania.
Qualifying record: Group G, W9 D2 L1.
Tournament best: Quarter-finals, 2000.
Verdict: Only Mutu and Cristian Chivu are close to world class but Romania could get through the group stage.
RUSSIA
Coach: GUUS HIDDINK - Revered Dutch coach who has impressed with each country he has managed.
Star man: ANDREY ARSHAVIN - Attacking midfielder who recently inspired Zenit St Petersburg to the Russian league title.
Qualifying record: Group E, W7 D3 L2.
Tournament best: First round in 1996 and 2004.
Verdict: Capable of making a dent with Hiddink at the helm and quality players throughout the squad.
SPAIN
Coach: LUIS ARAGONES - Controversial, cantankerous old coach who has overcome several hiccups to qualify.
Star man: FERNANDO TORRES - Torres and David Villa are now the main men up front with Raul and Fernando Morientes marginalised.
Qualifying record: Group F, W9 D1 L2.
Tournament best: Winners 1964.
Verdict: The talent is there and eventually, surely, everything will click for Spain?
SWEDEN
Coach: LARS LAGERBACK - Formerly half of a double act with Tommy Soderberg, Lagerback has met the target of reaching Euro 2008 and will hope to impress at the finals.
Star man: ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC - Temperamental Inter Milan forward who has taken on the role of talisman since Henrik Larsson's retirement.
Qualifying record: Group F, W8 D2 L2.
Tournament best: Semi-finalists 1992.
Verdict: With Ibrahimovic ably supported by Kim Kallstrom and Kennedy Bakircioglu in midfield, Sweden could surprise a few people.
SWITZERLAND
Coach: KOBI KUHN - Friendly-faced veteran coach who has taken the Swiss to the last two major finals' - Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.
Star man: TRANQUILLO BARNETTA - Creative Bayer Leverkusen midfielder who did not quite live up to expectations at the World Cup last year.
Qualifying record: Qualified as co-hosts.
Tournament best: First round in 1996 and 2004.
Verdict: With players such as Barnetta, Alexander Frei, Johan Djourou, Philippe Senderos and Raphael Wicky, combined, Switzerland have a chance to impress.
TURKEY
Coach: FATIH TERIM - Gruff, intimidating boss in his second spell with the national team following thier failure to qualify for the last two major tournaments.
Star man: HAKAN SUKUR - That the Galatasaray veteran is Turkey's top scorer in qualifying unfortunately speaks volumes, despite the presence of quality players such as Tuncay Sanli, the Altintop brothers and Emre.
Qualifying record: Group C, W7 D3 L2.
Tournament best: Quarter-finalists, 2000.
Verdict: Sure to make life interesting and a decent bet to come through their group.
