Euro 2000 in Belgium and Holland
Dutch press about Italy and Alessandro Del Piero

June 8, 2000
Written by Martijn Kraan from Holland

In Holland the press is writing about the European Championship, which takes place from the 11th of june till the 2nd of July a lot. The tournament is the third main sport event in the world, after the Olympic and the World Cup football. Sixteen countries will fight to get the cup after the final on 2 July in Rotterdam. One of the favourites is Italy.

There have never been so much favourites for the title before this year. In group A Germany and England has the best chances to reach the quarter finals, but Portugal and Romania are also very strong teams. In group C Spain is the top favourite, with Norway and Jugoslavia as outsiders. Slovenia is not strong enough. Group D is the strongest poule, with Holland, France, Cheska and even Denmark.

And than group B: Belgium plays at home and has a lot of faith. Sweden is a defending team and hard to beat. Turkey has never played very well on a big tournament, but they are getting better and better, seeing that Galatasaray has won the Uefa Cup this year. At last there's Italy. The team of Dino Zoff has strong players, but the results in friendly matches didn't give confidence to the tifosi. Bad luck when Vieri had to cancel Euro 2000 and when Buffon broke his finger.

In the Dutch media there are not many stories about Italy. Most of the articles are about the Dutch team (of course), but more about the fear of hooligans. Of course the day before and after Italy plays there will be more news.
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