Six years after their last appearance in a major international tournament Turkey will compete for Euro 2008 in Group A against Switzerland, Czech Republic and Portugal. Although not expected to win the European Championship, they do possess enough ability and experience to pose a challenge and possibly surprise some of the better teams.

At the 2002 World Cup Turkey had an amazing tournament. They reached the semi-finals and seemed to announce themselves as a future major force in world football. However, since then successive failures to qualify first for Euro 2004 and then the World Cup in Germany makes that earlier achievement seem like a fluke.

This failure almost spread to a third tournament. After a good start in the qualification stage for Euro 2008, defeats against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Greece left Turkey struggling. Only a narrow victory in the last round of games guaranteed qualification.

As such, Turkey come into Euro 2008 not in the best of form. Despite this, the team does possess some very capable players.

Rustu Recber is Turkey's most capped player with 128 caps. Once voted the best goalkeeper in the world, Rustu's experience gives the Turkish defense much needed stability.

Gokhan Gonul has emerged in the last 12 months as a pacey, athletic right full back who has now fully established himself in the Turkish team. Currently playing for Turkish champions Fenerbahce, his performances in this season's Champions League has led to suggestions that a move to a top European club may happen after Euro 2008.

Perhaps Turkey's best hopes for success this summer come from striker Nihat Kahveci. Following legendary striker Hakan Suker's expulsion from the squad, Nihat has become Turkey's key striker and comes into Euro 2008 in good form. Having scored 18 goals for Spanish side Villarreal and leading them to Champions League qualification, Nihat could be an important player this summer.