"If we are able to reach the quarter-finals then I don't think people can ask much more of us." This was how Belgium's veteran defender Lorenzo Staelens summed up the co-host's chances of winning Euro 2000.

Belgium's recent run of results, including a 3-1 win in Italy last November, perhaps merit a little more optimism, but Belgium approach tonight's opener with understandable caution.

The new manager Robert Waseige, a man with a fast-growing maverick reputation, has a selection dilemma over who to play alongside Emile Mpenza in attack.

Derby's Branko Strupar and the Aston Villa-bound Luc Nilis are the challengers.

Waseige may make other unforeseen changes too. As he said: "Some players are too sure they are in the team. They shouldn't be."

Swedish coach Lars Lagerback was a good deal more confident than Staelens.

He considers the Swedes "a good outsider" to win the tournament outright.

Again, most attention focused on who plays up front, with Celtic's Henrik Larsson sounding upbeat.

Larsson said he has not yet spoken to Celtic's new boss Martin O'Neill but added: "Here is not the time to show him what I can do.

"That comes when I am back at Celtic at the start of the season. But I want to play in the team." Both Sweden's and Celtic's presumably.

Larsson will partner Bologna's Kennet Andersson if he plays. The 6ft 3in Andersson was the man Staelens identified as the biggest threat, literally.

Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg could be the game's most important influence.