1 Czech Republic
Karel Bruckner's exhilarating team have won almost as many Euro 2004 matches as the other three semi-finalists put together and face outsiders Greece next. A season of underachievement with Juventus had raised questions over Pavel Nedved's credentials as European Player of the Year but the Czech skipper has been the tournament's outstanding midfielder, complementing magnificent vision with tireless running. Bruckner can even afford to leave out a two-goal striker, either Jan Koller or Marek Heinz, when choosing a partner for the impressive Milan Baros, while Petr Cech offers an imposing presence in goal. The most adventurous team in Portugal, they would be worthy and popular winners.
2 Portugal
Four years ago Belgium managed the unique achievement of failing to reach the European Championship semi-finals as hosts but in 24 years only France, in 1984, have contested the final itself. Portugal are by no means certain to emulate Michel Platini and co but have improved in each game and played well enough to have beaten England inside 90 minutes last time out. There can be no doubting the group's mental strength, European Champions Porto supply half of Felipe Scolari's front-line players and the coach himself is a World Cup winner. Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo's creative genius could be more productive and a question mark continues to hang over goalkeeper Ricardo but they unquestionably have the momentum.
3 Holland
Ruud van Nistelrooy is the only man with realistic hopes of denying Baros the golden boot and the Manchester United striker roams in front of an imposing midfield line-up; the performances in particular of Arjen Robben, like those of Cech, suggest that Roman Abramovich is well advised. But Dick Advocaat's team failed to break down an average Swedish team and, of greater concern, a below average German one. Such toothlessness could prove costly; as the Czechs have already shown, this Dutch defence can struggle against top class opposition. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Johnny Heitinga do not inspire confidence at full-back while neither Frank De Boer nor Jaap Stam were blessed with great pace at their best, a time now long past. The potential firepower at Advocaat's disposal has never been in doubt but, unlike their semi-final opponents, players and manager have plenty to prove.
4 Greece
The greatest overachievers in the history of the European Championship. Defeats of Portugal and France will naturally instil confidence though they must eradicate the memory of a dire performance against Russia. Traianos Dellas has been outstanding at the heart of a tight defence and in Angelos Charisteas they have a striker capable of clinical finishing. The form of their last-four opponents is such that Rehhagel will have to scale greater heights of tactical genius but, after their jaw-dropping defeat of the holders, Greece have earned the right not to be written off.
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