Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Welcome to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport's Euro 2008 blog.

Yep, the champagne may still be flowing in Manchester and Glasgow, not to mention Hull, Doncaster, Stockport and other footballing hotbeds around Europe, but already the focus is shifting towards the international arena.

In little over a week, the European Championships will kick off in Austria and Switzerland as 16 countries begin their quest for the .

For some fans, most notably those with an English, Irish, Scottish or Welsh bent, Euro 2008 will have about as much appeal as a in Wolverhampton.

For others, the chance to indulge their love of the for a further 23 days now that the domestic seasons are over is too good an opportunity to miss.

Some say the . I'm not sure about that, although it's fair to say the tournament will be devoid of the kind of one-sided affairs that plague some others.

In fact, you could make a case for any of the 16 countries emerging triumphant at the in Vienna on 29 June. True, some cases are more convincing than others, but, after the dramatic exploits of and the , it would take a brave person to bet on the outcome with any confidence.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will, of course, be in to see whether we get another shock winner. TV, radio, online... you know the drill by now. And just like the so-called 'spine' of the team that managers and pundits are so fond of referring to, this blog will be running through everything we do here on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport website.

We've recruited some of very best talent to help bring the tournament to life for those not lucky enough to experience it for themselves. Gavin Peacock, Jake Humphrey, Jacqui Oatley, Steve Wilson, John Murray, Paul Armstrong and John Sinnott will all be giving us their thoughts as the action unfolds.

And look out for Paul Fletcher, too. He will clock up hundreds of miles travelling around the host countries, mixing with fans, making friends with the locals and watching some of the best footballers in Europe chase one of the biggest sporting prizes there is. Fletch will bring you up to speed with his plans soon.

In the meantime, check out the profiles of our bloggers - you'll discover one of them is studying for a theology degree in their spare time - and let us know if you'll be one of the millions watching Euro 2008 this summer.

If you have any coverage ideas, feel free to run them past me. I'll be based at the media centre in Vienna from early June and will be happy to pass on your thoughts to my colleagues in TV and radio.