By Alan Hansen BBC Sport football expert

Eriksson's England are one of five potential winners

France are the main contenders in a group of five countries capable of emerging as winners of Euro 2004.

This may seem an obvious choice - but history tells us obvious choices are invariably the correct ones when it comes to major championships.

The World Cup in 2002 was regarded as something of a football freak show with a number of the major nations falling by the wayside early on - but it was the old favourites Brazil who won it.

France, the holders from Euro 2000, lead those who can win it and I would bracket Italy, Holland, Spain and England with them.

Out of those five, I would rank England as fifth, but they certainly have the capability to have a very good tournament.

France have got problems defensively, with Marcel Desailly not the force he was, and obviously they were caught cold right from the start against Senegal in the World Cup.

In Euro 2000 they looked indestructible, but Lilian Thuram has not played well for Juventus this season and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez was moved on from Manchester United to Marseille and may be vulnerable.

This will leave the rest with a chance but when you look at what France have up front you see why I still feel they will be the team to beat.

Thierry Henry has had another magnificent season at Arsenal, while David Trezeguet is a second world-class striker.

Patrick Vieira has been immense at Arsenal and, while Zinedine Zidane was part of a struggling Real Madrid side, a truly great player such as him will want to end his career on the the big international stage in style.

Italy are always a forced to be reckoned with, combining players of quality and flair with the huge experience and success of the great coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

Players such as Alessandro del Piero, Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri will provide a cutting edge to back the traditionally stubborn defence.

Spain have been tipped to do well in a major tournament for years and always seem to come up short or suffer ill-fortune.

Time will tell if this is any different, but they are certainly a force to be reckoned with and can be regarded as dark horses.

Henry's world class talent makes France favourites

Holland have one of the most gifted squads around, but always seem to be split by internal strife at crucial times. If they keep it all together and present a united front they will be well worth watching.

Of course Germany will always be mentioned and, while I don't think this is the worst side of modern times - that was the team that was beaten 5-1 by England - it may well be the second worst.

It's a dangerous game to rule them out, but I do not see Germany as major players.

England may be down as my fifth favourites, but I think they have players who could really shine in Portugal.

Steven Gerrard will be a massive star if he plays like he has for Liverpool.

But I still maintain it would be a massive mistake for coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to play him anywhere but in the centre of midfield under orders to dictate and do damage in the opposition half.

He's 23 and has got it all. He has got a turbo-charged extra yard, gets all over the pitch and is the identikit modern midfield player. If he plays to his best then England may well be in business.

And in Everton teenager Wayne Rooney they have a youngster I also believe will do really well.

People have commented on his form in a struggling Everton side, but he has not done badly at all - and when he plays for England he has looked out of this world and has you expecting something every time he gets the ball.

It's no detriment to Everton to say that he will get a better quality of ball from a better quality of player at international level - and he does seem to reserve his best form for England.

Rooney is not fazed, not afraid of the big stage and shows all his strength and ability for England. I do not think the big spotlight will affect him.

But if I am pressed and asked to pick a winner, I would go for the world-class quality France possess to give them the trophy again.