TheFA.com is here to analyse those three nations, who stand between the Three Lions and a place in the quarter-finals.

France



13 June 2004, Estadio Da Luz, Lisbon

Euro 2004 qualification form guide: Group One winners ahead of Slovenia, Israel, Cyprus and Malta; P8 W8 D0 L0 F29 A2 Pts24

Top scorer in qualifying: Sylvain Wiltord (6)

Coach: Jacques Santini

European Championship history: Two-time winners (1984 and 2000) and current holders, having beaten Italy in the Euro 2000 final in Rotterdam on a 'golden goal'.

Odds: 3-1 favourites

FIFA world ranking: Two

One to watch: Zinédine Zidane This will be the Real Madrid playmaker's international swansong, and having missed the majority of the 2002 World Cup through injury, expect him to light up the Algarve next summer with his sublime array of skills. Should be a fascinating contest in midfield with his current club-mate at the Santiago Bernabéu, England captain David Beckham.

Reaction: "Playing England is a derby for us as there are so many French players in the English Premier League." (Santini)

Last played England: Three years ago in a friendly at the Stade de France when Kevin Keegan's side earned a 1-1 draw thanks to Michael Owen's late equaliser after Emmanuel Petit had given the French a second-half lead.

Most recent European Championship meeting: The two teams' paths crossed at Euro 92 in Malmö when the match ended in a goalless draw, a result that helped to eliminate both sides at the group stages.

Did you know? During qualifying, France not only had both the best defence and attack, but were also the only side with a 100 per cent record and are currently on a run of 13 games unbeaten, a national record. However, if England are looking for some encouragement, no team has ever retained the Henri Delaunay trophy.

Switzerland



17 June 2004, Municipal de Coimbra, Coimbra

Euro 2004 qualification form guide: Group Ten winners ahead of Russia, the Republic of Ireland, Albania and Georgia; P8 W4 D3 L1 F15 A11 Pts15

Top scorer in qualifying: Alexander Frei (4)

Coach: Köbi Kuhn

European Championship history: Have only ever previously qualified once, at Euro 96 under Roy Hodgson, where they were eliminated at the group stages having finished bottom of their table with just a point.

Odds: 40/1

FIFA world ranking: 43

One to watch: Hakan Yakin 26-year-old Basel playmaker who is wanted by a whole host of top European teams following a string of outstanding displays, not only for his club in last season's European Cup, but also for his country during qualification for Euro 2004.

Reaction: "We are certainly not the favourites as we are up against some of the biggest teams in Europe, but we will give all our best in the big games. One of our best qualities is our fighting spirit and we will at least try to come second." (Michel Pont, assistant coach)

Last played England: In a friendly five years ago, the match in Berne ending 1-1, with Paul Merson levelling matters after ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega had given the Swiss a first-half lead.

Most recent European Championship meeting: In the opening fixture of Euro 96 at Wembley, when the two sides drew 1-1 after Kubilay Turkyilmaz's late penalty had cancelled out Alan Shearer' first-half opener for Terry Venables' team.

Did you know? The Swiss not only conceded the most goals, but also recorded the lowest points total of all the nine group winners during qualifying for Euro 2004.

Croatia



21 June 2004, Estadio Da Luz, Lisbon

Euro 2004 qualification form guide: Group Eight runners-up behind Bulgaria, but ahead of Belgium, Estonia and Andorra; P8 W5 D1 L2 F12 A4 Pts16

Top scorers in qualifying: Dado Prao (2), Milan Rapaic (2) and Dario `imic (2)

Coach: Otto Baric

European Championship history: Like Switzerland, Euro 2004 will be only the Croatians' second-ever appearance at the finals of the European Championships, having qualified for Euro 96, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Germany at the quarter-finals.

Odds: 40/1

FIFA world ranking: 20

One to watch: Dado Prao The Monaco striker was the man who effectively got Croatia to next summer's finals, scoring in both legs of his countries' 2-1 aggregate play-off win over Balkan rivals Slovenia, making it seven in four matches for the forward who is currently enjoying a purple patch in front of goal for both club and country.

Reaction: "It is a very tough group. There are at least two teams better than us in England and France who are among the best sides in Europe." (Baric)

Last played England: In a friendly three months ago at Portman Road, the match ending in a 3-1 win for the home side thanks to strikes from Beckham (pen), Michael Owen and Frank Lampard, with Ivica Mornar netting a consolation for the visitors.

Most recent European Championship meeting: Have never faced each other in the finals of any major tournament.

Did you know? The Croatians kept six clean sheets in their eight qualifying matches, but struggled for goals, with no one player registering more than two in total during the entire campaign.