COUNTRY FOCUS: ENGLAND

The 1966 World Cup winners have a very poor record in the European Championships. The tournament is considered by many to be a better indicator of a nation's standing in World football than the World Cup, given that the quality of teams that compete in the final tournament are much more evenly matched. On that basis, England are clearly lagging woefully behind the other giants of Europe who have also won the World Cup. On five of the eleven occasions that they entered the qualifying phase of the competition they failed to make it through to the Finals. That leaves six occasions where they did qualify, plus their appearance as hosts in 1996 when qualification wasn't required. In short, England have only appeared in just over half of the European Championship Finals (seven out of thirteen).

Euro Pedigree:

After not entering the inaugural tournament in 1960 and then failing to qualify in 1964 following a defeat by France over two legs, England proceeded to get through to the Finals in 1968 where they faced Yugoslavia in Florence in the semi-finals. World Champions at the time, England fell to a late goal by the wonderful Dragan Dzajic to miss out on a place in the Final. That was England's last match at the Finals for twelve years, when the tournament was again held in Italy. England were beaten 1-0 by the hosts in the group stage, and despite victory against Spain and a draw with Belgium, they only finished third in the group and were out.

England again missed out on the Finals in France in 1984, but started as one of the favourites to win the tournament four years later in Germany. A disastrous campaign saw England lose all three of their group matches to the Republic of Ireland and the two eventual finalists, Holland and the USSR. In 1992 England again fell at the group stage and were lambasted by the English Press for their unacceptable performances. Two goalless 'bore draws' with Denmark and France were followed by a defeat against hosts Sweden which put paid to hopes of progressing.

In 1996 on home soil England enjoyed their finest hour in the Euros, only being denied a place in the Final following a heartbreaking semi-final shootout defeat to old rivals Germany. Prior to that they had destroyed the Dutch 4-1 on a memorable night at Wembley, with Paul Gascoigne and the two strikers (Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham) oozing class and confidence. Victory over Spain in the quarter-finals on penalties set up the clash with Germany, and despite taking the lead with an Alan Shearer header after only two minutes the game finished 1-1. Extra-time saw the Germans have a goal disallowed and both Darren Anderton and Gascoigne come within an inch of the golden goal that would have taken England through, but it was not to be. Defender Gareth Southgate missed the crucial sixth kick in the shootout. In spite of the defeat, Euro 96 was a tournament that England could look back on with pride in the level of their performances.

Four years on and England were drawn with Germany again, this time in the group stages. Despite a 1-0 win, England went home early again as they lost their other two games against Portugal and Romania, both by a 3-2 scoreline. England led in both games, and an inability to defend a lead at vital stages is a recurring feature of England's international football history. On no occasion was this more evident than in their opening group match four years later against France at Euro 2004. England were leading 1-0 with the game virtually over, yet contrived to hand the French a free kick and a penalty in the time that remained, both of which were clinically dispatched by the brilliant Zinedine Zidane. To their credit England recovered to win their other two group games and qualify, but in the quarter-final against hosts Portugal they again surrendered a long-held lead and were beaten in a dramatic penalty shootout. Key defeats in qualifying for Euro 2008 - against Croatia (twice) and Russia - meant that England missed out again on a place at the Finals in Austria and Switzerland. Qualification for the 2012 tournament started well with wins against Bulgaria and Switzerland, but England seemed to be slipping into old habits earlier this month as they stuttered to a 0-0 draw at home to Montenegro.

Greatest Moment:

Surely the 4-1 destruction of Holland at Wembley in 1996 - one of England's finest performances ever - that confirmed their quarter-final berth.

Biggest Heartbreak:

Seven days on from the heroics against Holland, England were denied a place in the Final following more penalty pain against Germany.

COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY

With four World Cup triumphs, Italy are the most successful European nation in the history of the tournament and are second only to five-times winners Brazil. They head to South Africa 2010 as defending Champions, and if the Azzurri successfully defend their crown they will emulate the acheivements of the Italian side that won the second and third World Cups in 1934 and 1938. Italy build their teams on defence and are traditionally very hard to beat, and don't expect it to be any different this time around. Few people fancied them to make an impact four years ago (myself excluded!) and not many are talking about them as potential winners this time either. Ignore them at your peril. In the five World Cups between Italy's last two triumphs - 1982 and 2006 - only France (1986) and South Korea (2002) have knocked them out of the tournament in open play, and the latter by virtue of a golden goal. From 1990 to 1998 they were knocked out on penalties. Marcelo Lippi answered the call to return as national coach following Italy's penalty exit to Spain at Euro 2008 in the quarter-finals, and he knows just what it takes to win the greatest Cup of them all. Italy have a unique opportunity this summer to become the first team ever to successfully defend their World Title twice, and in the process to join Brazil as five-time Champions.

World Cup Pedigree:

Italy won the first two World Cups they took part in. As hosts in 1934 they beat the USA, Spain, Austria and Czechoslovakia in a tournament that was used as a political tool by Mussolini to promote fascism. Four years later in France the Italians successfully defended their Title with victories over Norway, France, Brazil and Hungary.

Following the twelve-year gap due to the war a lean period followed for the Italians. They headed to Brazil in 1950 looking for a hat-trick of Titles. A crucial 3-2 defeat against Sweden in the group stages put paid to their hopes though, and in 1954 a play-off defeat against Switzerland again meant failure to get through to the knock-out phase.

Italy didn't even qualify for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, and in 1962 again went out at the group stage following a defeat to the host nation Chile. Four years later in England they fell victim to one of the great World Cup shocks when defeat by North Korea in their final group game dumped them out. In 1970 Italy reached the Final but were outclassed by a fabulous Brazilian team who were dominating world football at the time. Four years later in Germany it was a familiar story; a key defeat against Poland yet again saw Italy fail to qualify for the latter stages.

In Argentina in 1978 the Italians did manage to get through to the second group stage, but lost 2-1 to Holland in the last match to miss out on a place in the Final. At Espana 82 Italy delivered their third World Cup in unlikely circumstances; a famous victory over Brazil in Barcelona was the launch-pad for Paulo Rossi to score six goals in three games and win the golden boot. Italy ruled the world following a 3-1 win over West Germany in the Final in Madrid.

Their reign as World Champions came to a tame end at Mexico 86 when France knocked them out with a 2-0 win in the second round. As host nation in 1990 the Italians bore a huge weight of expectation and reached the semi-finals without conceding a goal. They lost a penalty shootout against Argentina following a 1-1 draw, and this was the first of three consecutive World Cups in which they would lose in this manner. At USA 94 it was in the Final against Brazil and at France 98 it was in the quarter-final against the hosts. More heartache followed at Korea/Japan 2002 when South Korea beat them with a golden goal in the second round - evoking memories of what happened to them in 1966.

Italy arrived in Germany for the 2006 World Cup unfancied, but the heartache of recent years appeared to have injected some steel into the Italian psyche, and they progressed through to the semi-finals and a meeting with the host nation Germany. A famous 2-0 win set up a Final with France, who had a resurgent Zinedine Zidane in their side determined to end his career with a second World Cup triumph. But with the match locked at 1-1, the French captain was red-carded in the closing stages of extra-time and Italy went on to bury their penalty shootout hoodoo and secure a fourth World Cup.

Greatest Moment:

After three lame draws in their group matches at Espana 82 Italy appeared to have no chance of glory, but went on to beat Argentina, Brazil, Poland and West Germany to win their first World Cup of the modern era.

Biggest Heartbreak:

Roberto Baggio stood on the brink of greatness at USA 94 having carried Italy through to a Final against Brazil, but his penalty miss in the shootout dashed the dreams of a nation in the cruelest of circumstances.

At South Africa 2010 Italy will be competing in their seventeenth World Cup Finals.

COUNTRY FOCUS: BRAZIL

What can be said about Brazil that hasn't already been said? All football fans know the stats: they are the only nation to have played in every single World Cup and have the best record of any nation, winning the holy grail of international football on no less than five occasions. They are invariably the favourites, and even a 'poor' Brazilian side can never be written off. Traditionally Brazil play the 'beautiful game', and do so better than anyone else. Undoubtedly their commitment to flamboyant, all-out attacking football has cost them two or three World Cups (1950, 1982 and 1986 spring to mind), but it has also created an expectation amongst all football fans to be entertained when watching the brilliant Samba Stars. The simple 'stats' of the matter are that Brazil win one in every three-and-a-half World Cups, and if they don't win it, they tend to get pretty close. Since Mexico 86, (with the exception of a non-decisive group match defeat to Norway in 1998) only France and Argentina have beaten Brazil at the World Cup. Is it their time again?

World Cup Pedigree:

Brazil lost their first ever World Cup match against Yugoslavia in 1930, and in spite of beating Bolivia a few days later failed to qualify for the semi-finals. In 1934 they were also eliminated in the first round, this time in a straight knock-out match against Spain. In 1938 they made it to the semi-finals but were beaten by the defending champions Italy who retained the trophy with victory against Hungary in the Final.

Following the 12-year World Cup absense caused by the war, the Brazilians hosted the fourth World Cup tournament and came very close to winning it. They were denied by Uruguay in the final match of a 'final' four-team group who all had to play each other to determine who would become World Champions. Brazil only had to draw to claim the Title, and when they took the lead early in the second half it seemed that glory was beckoning. But they were denied by a spirited Uruguayan revival, and their failure was a bitter pill to swallow for an expectant nation. In 1954 they were beaten 4-2 in the quarter-finals by the great Hungarian side of Puskas & co, but this was a prelude to Brazil's most successful era, as three of the next four World Cups would be won by the South American giants.

In 1958 in Sweden Brazil won the trophy for the first time, with a certain 17-year old wonder called Pele - up to this point unknown - taking centre stage by scoring one goal in the quarter-final, a hat-trick in the the semi-final and two more in the Final. Pele scored again in Brazil's opening match of the 1962 World Cup, but was injured in the second group game against Czechoslovakia and missed the rest of the tournament. Even without him Brazil were still the team to beat and were too good for England (quarter-final) and Chile (semi-final) to set up a rematch with the Czechs in the Final. Despite going behind, Brazil recovered to win 3-1 and emulate Italy's achievement in the 1930s of retaining the World Cup.

Brazil's reign as World Champions came to a surprising end in the group stages of the 1966 World Cup in England, as defeats to Hungary and Portugal put them on an early plane home. In Mexico four years later Brazil coasted to a third World Cup triumph in what was undoubtedly their finest hour. They won all six of their matches, scoring 19 goals in the process and playing a brand of attacking football not seen before or since. In both 1974 and 1978 Brazil made it through to the Second Round - which was another group stage - but missed out on a place in the Final; in '74 following a key defeat against Holland and in '78 only on goal difference.

This format was changed by the time Espana 82 came around as the Finals now accomodated 24 teams. Brazil had their best team since 1970, and this was undoubtedly a World Cup they should have won. Only needing to draw to reach the semi-finals, in their final second round group match they were beaten 3-2 by Italy in a classic encounter in Barcelona. Four years later in Mexico Brazil sought to combine youth with experience and looked a class act again, but came unstuck in another memorable game against France in the quarter-finals. Since then France have been Brazil's World Cup bogey team, beating them in the Final in 1998 and again four years ago, once again in the last eight.

Brazil were knocked out of Italia 90 by fierce rivals Argentina in the second round. Sometimes you just have one of those days when the ball just will not go in the net - no matter how many times you shoot at the goal. Brazil had one of those days, totally outplaying Argentina and creating chance after chance, only to be caught out by a late stike by Claudio Caniggia.

At USA 94 and Korea/Japan 2002 Brazil won their fourth and fifth World Titles respectively, on both occasions with teams that were inferior to the Brazilian sides that graced the two World Cups in the 1980s.

Greatest Moment:

The 4-1 destruction of Italy in the 1970 World Cup Final in Mexico - Pele, Carlos Alberto, Rivelino and Jairzinho the key members of the greatest team in history.

Biggest Heartbreak:

Failure to win the World Cup on home soil in 1950 - Uruguay snatched victory with two second half goals to defy the odds, stunning the Maracana and the whole of Brazil.

At South Africa 2010 Brazil be competing in their nineteenth World Cup.

COUNTRY FOCUS: GERMANY

Many people are of the opinion that, for a few years now, Germany have failed to produce a national side to compare with some of the great German teams of past years. In terms of quality of players produced there is some truth in that, but they continue to deliver when it really matters - time and time again. Germany play the role of the underdog better than anyone else in the world. No other country plays tournament football as consistently well. Methodical preparation, a team ethic, mental strength second-to-none and an imperious self-belief - these attributes are innate to 'the German national team' of any era. Why is it said that we should never write off the Germans? Because they never write themselves off. Their recent record in the major tournaments - semi-finalists four years on home soil, runners-up at the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008 - should leave us expecting Germany to be in the thick of it again come the latter stages of South Africa 2010.

World Cup Pedigree:

Germany first took part in the World Cup in 1934 and reached the semi-finals where they were beaten by Czechoslovakia. Four years later they were knocked out in the first round by Switzerland following a replay and during the war years no tournament took place. The Germans were banned from taking part in 1950 but landed the first of three World Titles in Switzerland in 1954. The Final against Hungary is known in Germany as "The Miracle of Bern"; an earlier match in the group stages of the tournament between the two sides had resulted in an 8-3 victory for the "Magical Magyars" and few doubted that Hungary were destined to become World Champions that year. When they scored twice in the opening eight minutes of the Final another hiding appeared to be on the cards, but in heavy rain the Germans displayed their trademark tenacious qualities to fight back for a 3-2 victory. Their bid to defend the Title four years later was ended by Sweden at the semi-final stage. In the quarter-finals they had knocked out Yugoslavia by a 1-0 scoreline, and in 1962 in Chile the two sides met again at the same stage, but this time with the reverse result. West Germany reached the Final again in 1966 in England but were beaten 4-2 after extra time in a compelling match. In 1970 they participated in what most people agree is the finest World Cup match ever played - the semi-final against Italy at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the right to play Brazil in the Final. The Italians prevailed 4-3, with five of the seven goals being scored in the extra time period. On home soil in 1974, despite a shock defeat in the first round group stages to neighbours East Germany, West Germany reached the Final again and faced Holland in Munich. The Dutch were widely regarded as the best team in the world at the time, and took the lead in the first minute of the match. Just as against the Hungarians 20 years earlier, the Germans came back to triumph unexpectedly and win the World Cup for the second time. In Argentina in 1978 West Germany failed to win any of their group matches in the second round, but then made history between 1982 and 1990 by becoming the first team to reach three consecutive World Cup Finals. They finished runners-up at Espana 82 and Mexico 86 to Italy and Argentina respectively, but triumphed at Italia 90 in a repeat Final against the South Americans. In winning that World Cup Franz Beckenbauer became the first European to win football's greatest prize as both a player and a manager. Surprise quarter-final defeats followed for the Germans in the next two World Cups; to Bulgaria at USA 94 and to Croatia at France 98. A interesting statistic prior to the 2002 tournament in Korea/Japan was that Germany had never faced Brazil at the World Cup. They duly met in the Final that year where two goals from Ronaldo condemned the Germans to runners-up spot for the third time in the previous six World Cups. Four years ago, as the host nation for the second time, Germany were under the leadership of legendary player-turned-coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who was seeking to emulate the Beckenbauer feat. The nation started to believe that a repeat of the 1974 triumph could be on the cards after a penalty shootout victory against tournament favourites Argentina in the quarter-finals, but - and not for the first time - German hopes were ended by the Italians in the last four.

Greatest Moment:

Defeating the inventors of "Total Football" - the Dutch - on home soil to win their second World Cup in 1974. As with their first triumph 20 years earlier, Germany proved themselves to be the most powerful of underdogs.

Biggest Heartbreak:

Missing out on a place in the Final four years ago (at home again) when two Italian goals deep into extra time wrecked a nation's dream in a semi-final of the highest quality.

At South Africa 2010 Germany will be competing in their seventeenth World Cup.

COUNTRY FOCUS: ARGENTINA

The Albicelestes may have struggled inexcusably in qualifying, but having now arrived - courtesy of pipping neighbours and old rivals Uruguay to the last automatic qualification berth in the South American confederation - much will be expected of them. Diego Maradona may be tactically naive, inexperienced as a coach, and, therefore, a controversial choice to lead the national team, but he is without doubt the greatest sporting icon in Argentina. Can his legendary status inspire the current team, and will the sheer talent of the players at his disposal carry him and Argentina to glory on the world's biggest football stage this summer?

World Cup Pedigree:

Argentina reached the Final of the first ever World Cup in 1930 but lost out to host nation Uruguay, despite leading 2-1 at half-time. A first round exit against Sweden four years later was, amazingly, their last World Cup match for 24 years, as they didn't take part in another tournament until 1958. Joy at returning to the World Cup stage was shortlived, however, as they crashed out at the group stages following defeats by West Germany and Czechoslovakia. It was a similar story in Chile in 1962 when a crucial group match defeat against England again saw them make an early exit from the tournament, and four years later it was England again who put paid to their hopes in an ill-tempered quarter-final clash at Wembley. Argentina's next appearance in the Finals was in 1974 when they went out in the second round group phase following a heavy defeat to Holland and a 2-1 reversal against fierce rivals Brazil. Then came 1978 and Argentina's turn to host the tournament. In controversial circumstances Argentina qualified for the Final following a 6-0 trouncing of Peru in the last group match of the second-phase - a game they had to win by four clear goals. The Final against the Dutch was also marked by some unsavoury claims of cheating, but Argentina ran out 3-1 winners to land their first World title. In 1982 as defending champions they limped through the first round to find themselves in a three-team group with Brazil and Italy with only one semi-final place on offer for the group winners. The Albicelestes lost out against both and their reign as World Champions can to an unceremonious end. At Mexico 86 Diego Maradona was in the form of his life and the team cruised through the knock-out phases to a place in the Final against West Germany. Controversy surrounded their quarter-final win over England in which Maradona scored the infamous 'Hand of God' goal and England had a clear late penalty shout denied them. The Germans did manage to pull back from 2-0 down in the Final but Jorge Burruchaga's late winner gave Argentina their second World Cup triumph. In 1990 the Final featured the same two teams, but Argentina had enjoyed considerable luck in the knock-out stages and had needed penalties to progress in both the quarter and semi-final. The Germans avenged their defeat of four years previously with a 1-0 win, and since then Argentina have not got beyond the quarter-final stage, losing in the second round to Romania at USA 94, in the last eight to Holland in 1998 and at the same stage four years ago against the hosts Germany. Despite being highly fancied before the 2002 World Cup in the Far East, Argentina failed to emerge from a 'group of death' that contained Sweden, England and Nigeria.

Greatest Moment:

Winning the World Cup on foreign soil and in the right way - by playing creative, attacking football, largely inspired by the sensational Diego Maradona - at Mexico 86.

Biggest Heartbreak:

Failing to retain their World title at Italia 90, when they disintegrated against West Germany in a dour and dirty Final, which saw Argentina finish the match in disgrace following two red cards.

At South Africa 2010 Argentina will be competing in their fifteenth World Cup Finals.

COUNTRY FOCUS: FRANCE

Don't write off France this summer in South Africa. After their controversial play-off victory against the Republic of Ireland - and being handed a reasonable draw - their price of 16/1 to win the World Cup looks a value bet. Sides that sneak in the back door often have a knack of doing well in the tournament itself. Serious question marks remain about Raymond Domenech and his relationship with the players, but France undoubtedly have class throughout their side and an impressive recent World Cup record to draw on. Ranked seventh in the world by FIFA, France have been in the Final of two of the last three World Cups.

World Cup Pedigree:

France won the first World Cup finals match ever played in 1930 - when they beat Mexico 4-1 - but they didn't progress past the group stage. In 1934 they also went out in the first round before reaching the quarter-finals as the host nation in 1938. It wasn't until 1958 that they managed to reach the last four where they were spanked 5-2 by eventual winners Brazil. That was the year that Juste Fontaine scored an incredible 13 goals in France's six games, a record unlikely ever to be beaten. Amazingly, the next time France managed to get out of their group wasn't until the 1982 World Cup in Spain, when they again reached the semi-finals and lost to West Germany in one of the most dramatic matches in the history of the World Cup. Four years later in Mexico the same two nations faced each other for a place in the Final and again it was the Germans who prevailed. A lean period ensued for France as they failed to qualify for Italia 90 and USA 94, before hosting the 1998 tournament. Victory against Brazil in the Final gave France their first World title and two years later they added the European Championship to cap the finest era in their history. In 2002 they were bought sharpely down to earth, however, as they were shocked by Senegal and Denmark in their group, failing to even score a goal in their defence of the World Cup. In Germany four years ago they were largely perceived to be an ageing side that would struggle, but Zinedine Zidane experienced a renaissance of form that helped steer them past Spain, Brazil and Portugal in the knock-out phase to a Final with Italy, which they lost on penalties.

Greatest Moment:

Triumph on home soil in 1998 as two headers from Zidane helped depose an out-of-sorts Brazil in the Final in Paris to secure France's first and only World Cup.

Biggest Heartbreak:

Losing a 3-1 extra time lead against the Germans in the 1982 semi-final when a place in the Final looked an absolute certainty. Nerves failed for a second time in the resulting penalty shootout when Germany missed first and France failed to capitalize, their dreams dashed in the cruelest of circumstances.

At South Africa 2010, France will be competing in their thirteenth World Cup Finals.