Never mind the hooligans, broken bottles and burgers. Euro 2000 could do what the European Central Bank can only dream of: revive the euro currency and give a spur to the regional economy.

The boys in braces from Europe's finance houses have turned their attention to the latest soccer tournament and predicted in a research note yesterday that the footie feel-good factor could inject fresh life into the euro zone.

A win for defending champions Germany would be just the ticket, according to the economics department at ABN-Amro.

"The best result for the eurozone economy is a win by a team representing a large economy that is behind in the economic cycle with weak consumer demand," said Mr Robert van den Bosch, chief economist at the biggest Dutch bank.

Casting off national pride, the economist added: "We strongly favour a German win. German consumer confidence is at a low and could do with a boost."

Economists say a Germany-Italy final on July 2nd would be a tonic for Europe's economy. Italy, too, has struggled to emerge from the economic doldrums.

Mr Van den Bosch and his research team said that a German victory "could perhaps also achieve what central bankers have found so difficult to do. By giving a boost to economic activity in the euro zone, the euro could strengthen."