Euro 2008, the 13th European Championships, kicked off in Switzerland on Saturday, with Europe's finest battling it out for the right to lift the competition's Henri Delaunay trophy.
The tournament, which is being co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, will see 31 games over 23 days at eight different stadiums across the two countries.
Until 1980 only four teams competed in the European Championship finals, but since then it has grown into the third largest sporting event in the world after the World Cup and Olympic Games
The build-up to the tournament has been relatively low key but Michel Platini, president of European football's governing body Uefa, said: "The party is about to start. "What is really important is the feeling and emotion of the supporters."
The organisers are hoping the footballing extravaganza will bring in a global TV audience in excess of eight billion viewers over 200 countries, while millions of fans are expected to travel from around Europe to watch the games.
Euro 2008 has cost nearly £500m to stage but is expected to generate revenues of over £1bn - 50% more than the previous tournament, according to Uefa.
The sale of corporate hospitality packages has soared from £23m in 2004 to over £100m, partly reflecting the relative wealth of Austria and Switzerland in comparison to Portugal.
The 16 teams involved have been drawn into four groups, with the top two countries from each progressing to the knockout rounds.
The final will take place at the Ernst Happel stadium in the Austrian capital of Vienna on 29 June.
Greece are the reigning champions after producing one of the biggest shocks in international football history by winning Euro 2004 in Portugal.
But the Greeks will be outsiders once again in 2008, despite having the best qualifying record and retaining a number of key players from four years ago, as well as their inspirational coach Otto Rehhagel.
World champions Italy are in the so-called 'group of death' - along with France, champions in 2000, the 1988 winners Holland and unfancied Romania.
Spain, who were winners in 1964, have been heavily tipped to end their 44-year wait for another major tournament victory.
Germany, who are three-time winners of the trophy, are also expected to be one of the teams battling out for the crown once again.
Saturday 7th June
Group A
Switzerland 0 Czech Republic 1
Portugal 2 Turkey 0
Sunday 8th June
Group B
Austria 0 Croatia 1
Germany 2 Poland 0
Monday 9th June
Group C
France 0 Romania 0
Holland 3 Italy 0
Tuesday 10th June
Group D
Spain 4 Russia 1
Greece 0 Sweden 2
Wednesday 11th June
Group A
Portugal 3 Czech Republic 1
Switzerland 1 Turkey 2
Thursday 12th June
Group B
Germany 1 Croatia 2
Poland 1 Austria 1
Friday 13th June
Group C
Italy 1 Romania 1
France 1 Netherlands 4
Saturday 14th June
Group D
Spain 2 Sweden 1
Greece 0 Russia 1
Sunday 15th June
Group A
Czech Republic 2 Turkey 3
Switzerland 2 Portugal 0
Monday 16th June
Group B
Germany 1 Austria 0
Croatia 1 Poland 0
Tuesday 17th June
Group C
Italy 2 France 0
Netherlands 2 Romania 0
Wednesday 18th June
Group D
Russia 2 Sweden 0
Greece 1 Spain 2
