John Motson BBC Sport commentator

The turning point for the European Championship came in France in 1984.

France midfielder Michel Platini put it on the agenda and made it almost as good as the World Cup.

It has gone on from there.

Henry is one of many quality foreign players in the Premiership

Euro '96, which England was lucky enough to host, was a terrific tournament, and Euro 2000 along with the World Cup in France in 1998, is probably the most enjoyable tournament I have ever covered.

The number of overseas players plying their trade in England, in addition to having the Champions League and Uefa Cup televised, have brought the European stars of the game a lot closer to home and people know who they are now.

During the early competitions, a lot of football fans wouldn't have identified who plays up front for Spain or who the Italian centre-half was.

The audience has become more educated.

That's not the only thing that's changed. The television technology is unrecognisable from when I started.

There were no replays for a commentator to watch and we did not get the chance to see a goal or a tackle for the second time.

Now you get all sorts of different views and angles, there are better pictures coming in and as a commentator I am constantly fed information from the studio.

The whole thing was very much a belt and braces exercises when I started on Match of the Day in 1971 and it was pretty primitive to be perfectly honest.

Technology in football broadcasting has changed incredibly

I have gone through about three generations of BBC football and this is by far and away the most talented team that I have worked with - and I mean behind the scenes as well.

In that respect it makes it more enjoyable, because as the commentator you are at the front end, but when you know the back-up is so good, it is possible to be more relaxed.

I have a routine in terms of how I prepare - usually making lists of the players names, pronunciation practise, getting to the ground at a certain time before a match, talking to the other commentators from different countries etc.

It is very important to be watching the games between the ones you are covering.

I could not do that in Japan at the 2002 World Cup, which made it the hardest tournament I have experienced.

At Euro 2004, when all the games are kicking off at different times and being shown live in the host country, I will be able to do this.

By the time I have finished covering a game I will be sitting down watching the next one, making notes, that's the routine - jotting down information in case you cover one of the teams in the next round.