The opening game of Euro 2008 between tournament co-host Switzerland and the Czech Republic is just minutes from kicking off. One thousand volunteer performers from thirteen different countries participated in one of the silliest opening ceremonies ever seen on the international stage. If the intent was to build anticipation for the game by making me wish all the people with giant boxes on their heads would get off the field, they succeeded.

For the next twenty-two days sixteen European national teams will compete in Switzerland and Austria to determine who will be the champions of Europe for the next four years. This is my favorite soccer event right after the World Cup.

Every game will be televised and you can catch the games at the Corvallis Sports Park which will open for the matches. Here is a complete Euro 2008 TV schedule.

Here are the bookmaker odds for who will win the Euro 2008 as of the night before the tournament.

Germany 5-1
Spain 6.75-1
Italy 8-1
Portugal 8.5-1
France 9.5-1
Netherlands 15-1
Croatia 15-1
Czech Rep 26-1
Russia 29-1
Switzerland 34-1
Greece 41-1
Romania 51-1
Sweden 51-1
Turkey 67-1
Poland 68-1
Austria 151-1

My pick for the tournament winner is Portugal. I suspect that the relatively unknown soccer wizard Ricardo Queresma is going to have himself a little coming out party and upstage his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo a bit. What is your prediction? Choose your pick in the "Share Your Opinion" section or leave a comment.