It's been more than half a century since the inaugural European Championship took place and since the early 1960s each and every major continental powerhouse has - on one or more occasions - failed to make the final phase, stumbling onto less fancied opposition. Three years ago, in Austria

For once, this is a case of statistics depicting the true story. The competition's most successful nation, at the time West Germany, missed out on Italy 1968 due to a goalless stalemate in Albania of all places - they were crowned world champions just six years later. Reigning champions Spain failed to make the cut in three straight attempts over that same period of time - and once again as recently as '92. Italy did not participate on five separate occasions and would perhaps not have played in 1980 either, if they weren't hosting the Euro. France conquered the summit of Europe on home soil in '84 - they had failed to qualify five times on the trot just before that and were knocked out again in the run-up to the '88 finals!

But what's happening now? Could the 2012 Euro be the very first in history to be contested by EVERY top national side in the Old Continent? Well, let us try and practice a little bit of fortune telling.

Tickets booked

As you probably know already, Germany were the first team to clinch qualification last week, after their 6-2 mauling of Austria. The only nation to have featured in six finals (and, of course, to have put their hands on the trophy three times), will be making a record 11th outing in a final phase of the European Championship - all in a row! Jogi Löw is keeping up the good work and his fresh, energetic side has played eight, won eight.

Three more teams repeated the feat on Tuesday, boasting similar records. Germany's bitter rivals the Netherlands, these days headlining the FIFA rankings, have also not dropped a single point in eight, whereas Spain, easily the fans' choice across the globe in the Best side in the world category, counts six out of six. A scoreless tie in Belfast, eleven months ago, has been the only match out of eight not won in this tournament by Cesare Prandelli's Italy, who (surprise, surprise!) have only conceded once in the process.

With co-hosts Poland and Ukraine also through, it means that no fewer than 10 slots in the Euro 2012 line-up are still up for grabs as we head into the final two rounds of qualifiers. And there's bound to be some tough battles ahead.

The wannabes

Unbeaten England have done most of the hard work, but defeat in Podgorica in their final game, on October 7, could still see them out should brave Montenegro, competing for the first time as an independent nation, triumph in Basel, Switzerland as well, four days later. France can secure a direct passage from group D if they beat Balkan visitors Albania and Bosnia & Herzegovina in Saint-Denis, but Safet Sušić (who has both played and coached in France) will be preparing his charges for a do-or-die clash, provided the Zmajevi beat lowly Luxembourg at home first.

In group F Greece surrendered their lead to Croatia after only managing a draw in Riga, Latvia and the competing pair will now go head-to-head in Pireas, on October 7, in a clash which will all but decide their fate. Group H will go down to the wire, as no less than three of the five sides taking part are level at the top on 13 points, with Norway, however, having only three points to play for, half as many as Portugal and Denmark's can claim. On the penultimate matchday the Danes travel to Cyprus and the Portuguese entertain Iceland, the fixture list suggesting that something will have to give! when they meet in Copenhagen right before the finish line.

If you thought that was complicated, wait till we take a look at group B, where four (that's right, four) nations still have it all to fight for. Leaders Russia on 17 points next visit Slovakia, who may only lie fourth, but they're a mere three points adrift and have already won in Moscow. The Republic of Ireland, currently second on 15, will be hoping to overtake Dick Advocaat's men with a home win in the aforementioned Žilina game, even though they still have to beat both Andorra (away) and (third-placed on 14) Armenia.

And that's just the half of it, as several strong sides will be hoping to qualify via the November play-offs. However, it's safe to say that with the likes of Sweden, Turkey, Serbia and the Czech Republic close to snatching a second bite at the cherry Euro 2012 can very well be one of the most (if not THE most) closely contested continental championship ever. Let's just wait and see.

Panos Bletsos