Group B - Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland

Jun 1 2008 By Graeme Thomson

THIS may be Poland's first-ever crack at a European Championship but Celtic keeper Artur Boruc is confident his side have what it takes to pull off a dream debut.

While the 28-year-old is often accused of being far too cocky he has every right to have confidence in his team's ability given that Poland overcame Portugal to top their qualifying group.

Boruc has a fine array of talent in front of him with Shakhtar Donetsk's imposing defender Mariusz Lewandowski marshalling the rearguard.

Wolfsburg's Jacek Krzynowek takes charge in midfield while the main goal threat is Racing Santander hitman Ebi Smolarek.

Ex-Celtic star Maciej Zurawski could partner Smolarek while Brazilian-born Roger Guereirro is likely to play after the Legia Warsaw winger had his Polish citizenship rushed through.

But perhaps Poland's most invaluable weapon is the experience of coach Leo Beenhakker.

The 65-year-old former Real Madrid and Holland boss has managed at the top level for more than 30 years and the Dutchmanwill be looking to lead his side to the latter stages.

Hoops star Boruc admits he expects nothing less. He said: "People say it is fantastic just to be here but it will only be really special for us if we progress.

"We will face good teams but have lots of excellent players.

"Our mentality is strong and we know we can play football.

"In Beenhakker we have one of the top coaches in the game and I'm sure we'll do well."

For Poland to progress they will first look to break a Germany jinx in their opening match next Sunday evening.

The Poles have never beaten the three-time European Champs but a win in Klagenfurt would open up the group and heap the pressure on untested German coach Joachim Low.

While Germany's third-place finish at their home World Cup in 2006 was a surprise a similar performance now would be viewed as a disappointment.

Low, the former assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann, has his work cut out as Germany are still a shadow of their former selves.

They have a potent strike force in Bayern Munich pair Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose but the side relies too heavily on Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack's creative spark.

Group rivals Croatia go into the tournament brimming with confidence after Slaven Bilic's team eliminated England from their qualifying section.

The broken leg suffered by Arsenal's Eduardo da Silva was a major blow but Croatia have plenty of other stars.

Borussia Dortmund striker Mladen Petric is best placed to take Eduardo's place and Luka Modric, Spurs' recent s15.8million signing, has a wonderful eye for a pass from midfield.

While Croatia are tipped to hit the heights in the tournament co-hosts Austria are just hoping to avoid embarrassment.

Like Poland they are taking part in their first Championship but the similarities end there as Austria are No.101 in the FIFA rankings and have only managed one win in their last 15 matches.

Their predicament is summed up by the fact one of their star players, Emanuel Pogatetz, was booted out for 14 months after criticising hid coach Josef Hickersberger's tactics.

The Middlesbrough defender is now back in from the cold but his side look guaranteed to be frozen out at the group stages.

ODDS TO QUALIFY

Germany 8/11, Croatia 5/2, Poland 7/1, Austria 16/1

AUSTRIA

COACH - Josef Hickersberger led Austria to1990 World Cup Finals but was sacked after his side lost their firstEuro 92 qualifier 1-0 to Faroe Islands. Spent a decade in the MiddleEast before returning to lead Rapid Vienna to the title and earn hisshot at international redemption.

STAR PLAYER - Captain Andreas Ivanschitz is Dubbed the Austrian Beckham and the No.10 has a lethal shot.

EUROS RECORD - 2008: First Appearance

ODDS TO WIN TROPHY - 100/1

CROATIA

COACH - Slaven Bilic is one of Europe's topup-and-coming coaches and his stock certainly went up in the eyes ofthe Tartan Army after his side denied England a place at Euro 2008.

STAR PLAYER - Spurs recently saw off a hostof top clubs to land Dinamo Zagreb's Luka Modric for s16.5million andwith Eduardo injured the playmaker's role will be even more crucial.

EUROS RECORD - 1996: Quarter-Finals 2004: KO'd at Group stage

ODDS TO WIN TROPHY - 12/1

GERMANY

COACH - Joachim Loew isn't the householdname normally associated with the Germany job but assisting JurgenKlinsmann to a third-place finish at the last World Cup helped him landthe hot seat.

STAR PLAYER - Michael Ballack was arguablythe best player at the last World Cup and he'll look to maintain hisimpressive form in major tournaments.

EUROS RECORD - 1972: Winners 76: Runner-Up80: Winners 84 KO'd at Group stage 88 Semi-Finals 92: Runners-Up 96:Winners 2000: KO'd at Group stage 04: KO'd at Group stage.

ODDS TO WIN TROPHY - 4/1

POLAND

COACH- Leo Beenhakker has vast experienceand the 65-year-old Dutchman is at his second successive majortournament after pulling off the remarkable feat of taking Trinidad& Tobago to the last World Cup.

STAR PLAYER - Artur Boruc, the man dubbedthe Holy Goalie by Celtic fans, will have a key role to play betweenthe sticks and he'll be looking to impress just as he did at the WorldCup in Germany in 2006.

EUROS RECORD - 2008: First Appearance

ODDS TO WIN TROPHY: 50/1