Sublimely talented world and European champions Spain are joined by a confident Netherlands team and a gifted Germany side as favorites to triumph in Euro 2012. However, the Dutch and Germans must first negotiate the "Group of Death" to keep their dreams alive. Ni Yinbin reports.

When Euro 2012 kicks off tomorrow in Warsaw, with co-host Poland taking on Greece, it marks the start of more than three weeks of international football - and more than three weeks of late nights for millions of Chinese football fans planning to catch the action live in the wee small hours.

Spain, defending champions and 2010 World Cup winners, Germany, runners up last time around, and the Netherlands, beaten finalists in the 2010 World Cup, are the favorites to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy in the event jointly staged by Poland and the Ukraine.

The absence through injury of Barcelona duo and Spain's all-time top scorer David Villa and defensive pillar and captain Carles Puyol may cast a shadow on Spanish hopes of retaining their title, but their squad - including the likes of Real Madrid's Iker Casillas, Barcelona's Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea's Juan Mata and Fernando Torres and David Silva of Manchester City - is still formidable.

Few would expect Spain to stumble in a Group C that includes Italy, Ireland and Croatia.

The Netherlands also boast many gifted players, and while Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder did not use the word "guarantee" when he predicted that Netherlands and Spain will contest the Euro 2012 final on July 1 in Kiev, the bold claim showed his confidence.

"There haven't been many changes in the Spain squad," Sneijder told reporters. "All their players are about 25, 26 years old. I think that they have the best team and will make it to the final. And so will we."

The Netherlands lost 1-0 to Spain in the final of World Cup 2010 in South Africa and it will not be an easy road for them in their quest for a rematch at Euro 2012.

Group B has been considered the "Group of Death," with the Netherlands pitted against the heavily fancied Germany, talented Portugal and well-organized Denmark.

Just qualifying for the elimination stages will be no easy task, even for a skilled team that features talented players as Sneijder, fellow midfielder Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich and Arsenal's Robin van Persie.

One of the most eagerly awaited matches in the group stages will see the Dutch take on Germany on June 13 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. In the last meeting between these fierce rivals, in a friendly last November, Germany inflicted a 3-0 drubbing on the Netherlands.

Joachim Loew's gifted German squad has been the fashionable pick during the hype leading up to Euro 2012.

But to meet these lofty expectations, the Germans will have to find a way to finish off what they start, something that has eluded them in recent finals.

In 2002, the Germans lost to Brazil in the final of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Four years later, Germany, who were hosting the tournament, were eliminated in the semi final by Italy.

In 2008, the Germans were defeated by Spain in the final of the Euros hosted by Austria and Switzerland.

And at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, it was heartbreak yet again, this time eliminated in the semi final by that same talented Spanish side.

Now, the German national side will attempt to put these disappointments behind them and triumph in Euro 2012.

There is no doubt this team is as talented as any in the tournament. Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is world-class and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil brings the unique magic that could make him player of the tournament.

But while the Germans are among the favorites, they have to negotiate their way out of the Group of Death first.

Golden Boot

Among favorites for the Golden Boot is Arsenal and Netherlands forward Robin van Persie. The 28-year-old is at the peak of his powers and was named Premier League Player of the Year after almost single-handedly dragging Arsenal into third place in the table with 30 league goals. His most prolific season in English football has elevated his status across Europe, and Arsenal face a summer of trying to persuade him to remain at the club.

With 25 goals in 62 appearances for the Netherlands, van Persie has impressed at international level and looks set for a good tournament.

Germany's Mario Gomez is another contender for the top scorer award, and Loew's midfield is well-equipped to supply the powerful striker. The likes of Ozil, Arsenal-bound Lukas Podolski, Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos and Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze are capable of delivering the ball on a plate for the Bayern Munich forward.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is another candidate for the top scorer, having netted an astonishing 60 goals for Real Madrid in the past season.

The Portuguese will have the privilege to shoot on sight and will take the vast majority of Portugal deadball opportunities.

The only question is, how far can his team go in the Group of Death?

Where to watch Euro 2012 with Heineken

? Big Bamboo
1) Address: 132 Nanyang Rd
Tel: 6256-2265
2) Address: No. 20, Lane 3338, Hongmei Rd, Hongmei Entertainment Street
Tel: 6405-8720
3) 381 Hongfeng Rd, Pudong
Tel: 5030-1779

? Malone's
Address: 255 Tongren Rd
Tel: 6247-2400

? City Bull Steakhouse & Bar
1) Address: Henderson Metropolitan, 300 Nanjing Rd E.
Tel: 3330-2339
2) Address: 2/F, SH World Financial Center, 100 Century Ave
Tel: 6877-9198
3) Address: No. 26, Lane 3338, Hongmei Rd, Hongmei Entertainment Street
Tel: 6465-9099
4) Address: 288 Jinyan Rd, Pudong
Tel: 6845-0398

? Blue Marlin
1) Address: 689 Lantian Rd
Tel: 5030-9676
2) Address: Thumb Plaza Pudong, 185 Fangdian Rd
Tel: 6886-7376

? Shanghai Brewery
1) Address: No. 21C, Lane 3338, Hongmei Rd, Hongmei Entertainment Street
Tel: 6406-5919
2) Address: 15 Dongping Rd
Tel: 6406-5919

? O'Malley's Irish Bar & Restaurant
Address: 42 Taojiang Rd
Tel: 6474-4533

? Park Tavern
Address: 840 Hengshan Rd
Tel: 5465-9312

? Hooters
1) Address: 1/F, Super Brand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Rd W.
Tel: 5049-0199;
2) Address: Unit B1, 100 Zunyi Rd
Tel: 6237-0080

? PINK Bar
Address: 1329 Huaihai Rd M.
Tel: 6418-8503

? Red Lion Bar
Address: 84 Weifang Rd W.
Tel: 5877-7102

? Coconut Bar
Address: Thumb Plaza, No. 12, Lane 199, Fangdian Rd
Tel: 5033-9879

? Blue Frog
1) Address: 207-6 Maoming Rd S.
Tel: 6445-6634
2) Address: R3-633 Biyun Rd
Tel: 5030-6426

? Bund 30 Bar & Bistro
Address: 30 Daming Rd
Tel: 136-6191-5396