Platini: Italy, France & Germany Favourites

With the tournament in Austria and Switzerland just over a month away, the excitement is starting to build among football fans.

"Italy, France and Germany are the big favourites for Euro2008,” Platini told ‘As’

“However it’s difficult to make predictions. Even Portugal and Spain have great teams. Spain, in particular, are a mystery who always fail to overcome the quarter-finals.”

Platini was then asked about the champions who may not be present at Euros, namely Alessandro Del Piero and Raul Gonzalez.

"These are two similar cases,” he explained.

“Both in Italy and in Spain, there are those who are in favour and those who are against. Ultimately though, only Roberto Donadoni and Luis Aragones can decide."

Finally Platini, who led France to glory at Euro 84, revealed the secret to succeeding at major championships.

"Greece and Italy have won the Euros and the World Cup because they had balance.

“Football is not just about attack, but balance between attack and defence. We hope that it will be a Euros with beautiful football and lots of goals," he concluded.


Schneider ruled out of Euro 2008