Greece will play Armenia and Slovenia in friendly matches this month before taking on Euro 2012 opponents Poland,Russia and the Czech Republic in Group A.
The German football federation says they will not join the rest of the squad until May 20.
When the captain returned,Portugal racked up a five-game winning streak that put it back in contention.
The Dutch travel to Poland and Ukraine on the merit of yet another sparkling qualifying performance.
The so-called Saltillo Affair is viewed as one of the darkest chapters in Portuguese football history.
Russia will face Greece,Czech Republic and Poland in Group A,starting from June 8.
"We've been together for five years now and it's always special to play for Germany,'' Podolski said. "We have a super team.''
Gomez chased away some demons from the past by returning to Vienna and scoring twice in Germany's 2-1 win over Austria in qualifying for this year's tournament.
Del Bosque sees World Cup finalist Netherlands and Euro 2008 runner-up Germany as Spain's toughest competition.
"We have to accept that was a disappointing tournament in South Africa,where we'd gone with high hopes,'' Hodgson said.
Despite reducing his striking options for the first two matches,England coach Roy Hodgson is insistent on including Rooney in his 23-man squad.
Blanc had made it clear that he doesn't see Ribery as a leader in the way Zinedine Zidane was.
France,which failed to advance from the group stage in its last two tournaments,has traditionally struggled without an inspiration leader.
Sweden coach Erik Hamren wants his team to play an attack-minded,possession-based and eye-pleasing style of football.
Bilek's top striker,Milan Baros of Galatasaray,has scored 40 international goals but just one in Euro 2012 qualifying.
So,deep is the apprehension of fans that only 3000 of the 9000 tickets for Euro 2012 have been sold.
He feels even without his inspiration,a young Ukrainian team can spring a surprise.
Benzema,who joined Real Madrid from Olympique Lyon in 2009,has matured into a dangerous all-round striker.
Lacking a goalscorer,Greece rely heavily on goals from midfield.
Greece were unbeaten in qualifying,finishing top of Group F ahead of Slaven Bilic's Croatia.
Despite a sluggish start to the qualifiers which included a laboured 2-0 win over tiny Andorra and a 1-0 home defeat to Slovakia.
Russia captain Andrei Arshavin is counting on a good showing at Euro 2012 to revive his sagging club career.
Unlike his charming predecessor,who was adored by n fans and media alike,Advocaat has faced severe criticism throughout the qualifying campaign.
Laurent Blanc will be trying to restore France's reputation at the European Championship.
A four-game unbeaten run and a resurgent Tomas Rosicky have boosted the Czechs heading into Euro 2012.