OK, so England didn't make it - but there is still plenty to get excited about as a host of stars from our local clubs prepare for Euro 2008.

United, City and Wigan will all have players bidding for glory in Austria and Switzerland, while Stelios will be looking to mark his exit from Bolton by guiding Greece to a repeat of their 2004 triumph.

There will even be an ex-Bury player there, as Fenerbahce's Colin Kazim- Richards is in Turkey's squad.

So who will lift the trophy in Vienna on June 29? And who will be the tournament's star man? Six M.E.N. Sport writers have made their predictions.

James Robson

AS a footballer there is only one way to confirm greatness and that is to produce on the biggest stage of all.

On the back of 42 goals, a second successive double footballer of the year award as well as a Premier League and Champions League double, Cristiano Ronaldo has little to prove with Portugal. Should he fail to set Euro 2008 alight, then the tiresome claims that he does not produce on the big stage will be rolled out all over again.

But any such jibes should finally be put to bed this summer.

One to watch: Ronaldo

Winners: Portugal

Mike Whalley

VEDRAN Corluka played a huge part in ensuring England's absence from Euro 2008.

And the giant defender is the City player likeliest to enjoy success there.

Corluka was one of the Croatia heroes who left Steve McClaren drowning at a soggy Wembley. Slaven Bilic's side will fancy their chances of making the last four.

Gelson Fernandes is in the Switzerland squad, while Sweden's Andreas Isaksson and Greece's Georgios Samaras will battle it out in Group D.

One to watch: Podolski

Winners: Germany

Neil Barker

LOOK out for Wigan flags in Zurich and Berne. A handful of travelling fans will be there cheering on Dutch star Mario Melchiot who is a key figure in Holland's quest for glory.

Latics' boss Steve Bruce says it's a real feather in Wigan's cap to see the Latics' skipper gracing such a grand stage. Few would disagree. Holland's Group games with Italy, France and Romania promise to be compulsive viewing. The fine play of the Dutch in the warm-up win over Wales surely augers well for a promising campaign.

Melchiot is a key component in what is a world-class squad.

One to watch: Fabregas

Winners: Holland.

Paul Handler

GROUP C is the Group of Death and the Italy v France game could be telling there. Both sides have a good mix of youth and experience along with undoubted big tournament pedigree.

Meanwhile, hopefuls Croatia and Germany will face each other in an intriguing Group B clash.

Expect usual suspects Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres to shine for Portugal and Spain respectively, while the technically brilliant Luka Modric should provide Croatia's spark in the absence of Arsenal striker Eduardo.

For Germany, Miroslav Klose has made a habit of scoring goals in the big tournaments.

One to watch: Ronaldo

Winners: Germany

Stuart Brennan

PATROTISM is the last refuge of the scoundrel, which means there will be a lot of English fans at a loose end over the next three weeks.

Freed from their Ingurland shackles, the nation's football fans are desperately seeking a reason to support one of the teams which actually made it to the yodel-fest in Austria and Switzerland - memories of a nice Greek holiday, a Dutch uncle, or maybe a penchant for Polish sausage.

Few will be supporting the Germans, which is a shame because our old football rivals are favourites, given the ominously efficient way in which Joachim Low's team eased through qualifying.

Greece won the last tournament with little more than spirit, organisation and intense preparation, notably with a good German coach. Now the Germans have quality players AND a good German coach.

Spain might be the connoisseur's choice, with the exciting Fernando Torres up front and the easy-on-the-eye charms of Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings. And they are England's prime contenders for international football's biggest under-achievers.

As for an outside bet, how about Holland? Edwin van der Sar is looking for more glory, and Ruud van Nistelrooy is bursting to add inter- national glory to his club exploits for United and Real Madrid.

One to watch: Klose

Winners: Germany

Stuart Mathieson

GROUP C is the must-watch schedule with big hitters France, World Cup holders Italy and Holland scrapping it out with Romania.

It will be the most fiercely contested group of the lot and an extra bonus for United fans is the chance to keep tabs on France striker - and Reds target - Karim Benzema.

The section hits the stage on Monday with Benzema and Patrice Evra probably on duty against the Romanians in Zurich at tea-time. But the mouth-waterer is Holland against Italy in Berne later that evening with Edwin Van der Sar kicking off his international swansong in the same side as Klaas Jan Huntelaar, another United fancy.

France face Holland on Friday, before taking on Italy in Zurich on June 17.

The winner should come from that trio in Group C.

One to watch: Benzema

Winners: Holland

Who is your one to watch, and who is your tip for victory? Have your say.

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