How they qualified: Finished 2nd in European Qualifying Group H; defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 6-2 on aggregate in playoff.

Team Base: Opalencia

The distraught finalists in 2004 on home soil, Portugal have had a chip on their shoulder for eight years.  The new Holland of international football, Portugal are becoming known as the nearly men who always have the potential to win a major tournament but never quite live up to the hype.

One man that does live up to the hype however, is Cristiano Ronaldo. The self-proclaimed 10/10 Real Madrid star has had an incredible 2011/12 and if Portugal are to do anything this tournament, he will have to play a major part in their side.

Manchester United’s Nani and Porto’s Joao Moutinho will also be key figures to look out for in the Portugal attack, while Real Madrid’s Pepe and Fabio Coentrao will both have to step up their defensive duties as Portugal look to fight their way out of the group of death.

Denmark defeated them in the qualifying stages of the tournament and Bosnia and Herzegovina almost pulled off a shock result in the playoffs, but with their backs against the wall, a thumping 6-2 victory at home over the eastern Europeans sent Paulo Bento’s men off to Poland and Ukraine.

WFD Predicted Starting XI: 4-1-2-3

Patricio

 Pereira - Pepe - Alves - Coentrao

Veloso

Meireles - Moutinho

Ronaldo - Postiga - Nani

WFD predicted group finish: 3rd

Portugal Group Schedule: (All times local)

Match 1: June 9 v Germany - Arena Lviv, Lviv (21:45)

Match 2: June 13 v Denmark - Arena Lviv, Lviv (19:00)

Match 3: June 17 v Netherlands - Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv (21:45)