France

Without trying to be simply favouritist, France and Holland pose the definite threats to any other team in Euro 2000. But France stand the best chance of carrying the Euro crown home to accompany their world cup.

Both teams have shone out in the crowd from the rest of the group, with perceived also-rans Spain, Portugal and Italy making their way through. But with all of these other teams, it is much easier to spot chinks in their armour. Spain have for the first time in 35 odd years made it through to the quarters in International competition - but their performances in this tournament have been largely disappointing bar their spirited victory over Yugoslavia. Italy seem to have qualified without incident, but are looking nervy - and have yet to confront a team that can pose a significant challenge. Portugal are very impressive with their forward combinations of Figo (player of the tournament?), Rui Costa, and Gomes, but their defensive holes have been and will again be exposed. The other qualifiers include Turkey, Romania and Yugoslavia who are the weaker teams on paper.

To Holland - they have a significant home advantage and have been criticised for a flat performance against the Czech Republic in a match I feel that they were lucky to win. But their following encounter against France showed the fluidity and confidence of the Ducth team as they quaified first in the 'group of death'. But I am sure that France has something to say about that. They did field their second team in that match which led 2-1 at one point, and despite this, the football was an excellent display of passing and scoring at the most world class levels today - from BOTH teams.

Holland have the huge home advantage - but if the last Holland - France match is any indication and France could field a BETTER team, then this coupled with their overwhelming confidence post World Cup will be enough to see them through to victory.