It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Euros is a World Cup without Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, the only non-European countries that have won Fifa’s showpiece event.

The European Championship has grown from an appendage to the Fifa World Cup to a veritable rival to the greatest football show on earth.

French administrator Henri Delaunay wouldn’t have imagined that his brainchild would become such a big brand on the global sporting stage.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Euros is a World Cup without Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, the only non-European countries that have won Fifa’s showpiece event.

In recent years, the balance of power in international football has clearly shifted in favour of Europe with Italy and Spain winning the last two editions of the World Cup.

The latest Fifa rankings strengthen the credentials of the Euros: seven of the top 10 countries are from Europe. Spain are at the top, miles ahead of the second-placed Uruguay.

As many as 13 European teams figure in top 20. All of them have qualified for Euro 2012, which is all set to capture the imagination of football fans across the globe from June 8 to July 1.

Even though some Europhiles would like to look at their continental championship as a World Cup in some other name, it wouldn’t be fair to rob Fifa’s blue ribbon event of its primacy.

After all, Brazil is the most successful nation in the World Cup with five titles and the world’s best player at the moment belongs to Argentina.

Coming to Euro 2012, strength on paper and recent performances suggest that Spain, Germany and the Netherlands would be top title contenders.

Spain can become the first team to claim three major trophies on the trot if they go on to add Euro 2012 to their Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup titles.

Few teams in the history of football have married style to substance like the masters of ‘tiki-taka’ style. Italy and France are the dark horses. The two have the pedigree, experience and nous to go all the way.

Cristiano Ronaldo may be a worthy rival to Lionel Messi for the Fifa World Player of the Year award but his team Portugal don’t seem to have the all-round strength to win their first major trophy.

The less said the better about England, who have been ravaged by injuries. Reaching the quarterfinals itself appears a daunting task for Roy Hodgson and co. What could work in favour of the Three Lions are the low expectations back home.

Hosts Poland and Ukraine have battle on and off the field. Progressing to the quarterfinals will represent a victory of sorts to the former Iron Curtain nations.

At 62, Poland are the lowest ranked team in the tournament. Ukraine are 10 places higher on the table but light years away from the continent’s elite.

According to various reports, racism and hooliganism are rife in both Eastern European countries. Black players in the English squad have asked their family members to stay away from the Euros.

A recent BBC documentary telecast the merciless beating of Asian fans in a club football match at a Ukrainian stadium.

A feminist group in Ukraine is also up in arms against Euro 2012, saying that the football tournament will only succeed in making the former Soviet Union country a hub of prostitution.

The group has grabbed attention through its topless demonstrations in the run-up to the competition. Political protests to condemn the jailing of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko are also gathering storm in Ukraine.

Fans all over the world would wish that the beautiful game took centre stage from June 8 to July 1 and not things that divide the world.

The European Championship has always been a fertile ground for upsets. Unlike the World Cup, it has thrown surprise winners.

Who would have bet on Denmark in 1992 and Greece 12 years later? A Cinderella run can make the 14th edition of the Euros unforgettable.