SKY Blues stalwart midfielder Michael Doyle is tipping Germany to lift the European Championship trophy for a fourth time on Sunday.

The Irishman has been catching up with the international tournament over the summer while he recovers from separate operations on his ankle and a hernia.

And the 26-year-old says on the back of what he has seen so far, despite a few shock results, he is sticking with his pre-tournament pick to taste glory in the final in Austrian capital Vienna.

"It's been a really good standard this year with a few shocks along the way, which is always good to see," he said.

"I think Germany are going to get past Turkey and win it. I thought before the tournament started that they would go a long way because they are very hard to beat and they've proved that."

But Doyle also thinks Joachim Löw's side will be in for a stern test, tipping dark horses Russia to also appear at the tournament's showpiece finale.

"They have been the shock team so far and no-one expected them to qualify let alone go this far.

"They are a quality side. A lot of their players have played together regularly for several years and I think that shows in how they play. They've also gone into the tournament with a lot of confidence because so many of their players were involved in the UEFA Cup with St. Petersburg.

"I had thought that Holland would go all the way because of how well they played in the earlier games - but against Russia they just fell flat. The Russians work very hard and have quality right through the team and Andrei Arshavin in particular has been outstanding.

"They have a real opportunity against Spain. It's a tough game to call, especially with Spain having beaten them already. But I think that will create massive pressure on the Spanish - and considering how well Russia are playing, I think they will make the final."

Doyle admits that the tournament has got him itching to get the pre-season underway - which begins on Monday.

"Watching the games has really made me look forward to getting back into training and working hard to get back to fitness ahead of the new season.

"It's not far away now so I cannot wait to get going."