Italian job for Keegan

John Motson: Predicts England and Germany to qualify

Match of the Day commentator John Motson begins his preview of Euro 2000 with a look at groups A and B.

Everyone at the BBC is looking forward to our live coverage of Euro 2000, the tournament which looks set to attract so much interest across Europe this summer.

This year's European Championships is exclusive because it is the first time two different countries have hosted the tournament.

The big kick-off is on 10 June and the Low Countries look set to provide football fans, who are usually starved of their precious game during the summer, with a feast of fixtures right through to 2 July.

Anyway, having analysed each group in some detail here are my predictions for Group's A and B.

Motty on Group A

Perhaps the most interesting group of the four is Group A, England's group which looks set to be extremely tight, with three out of the four teams oozing quality.

England will be based in Belgium during the group stages. Their first game is in Eindhoven, then they face Germany in Charelroi, and finally Kevin Keegan's men take on Romania in Charelroi again.

Rui Costa: Skilful

The first obstacle which England must overcome is a clash with Portugul - a very technically proficient side who can beat anyone on their day.

Portugal have got a lot of flair players like Rui Costa and Paulo Sousa and it's going to be difficult for England to win it. However, with Alan Shearer leading the line I think Keegan's men can eventually overcome Humberto Coelho's skilful side.

Draw

Doubtless, Keegan will hope Germany and Romania draw their game on the same day, therefore leaving England as the group leaders after one game.

England then face Germany, a match which is creating all the interest.

The Germans, who are going through an indifferent period in international football, have always raised their game in major championships, so I fancy this game to end all square.

Unlike in previous years, there won't be any penalties because it's a group game.

England's opponents on the final day of group games herald from Romania.

Don't forget this tricky east European outfit beat Glenn Hoddle's England in the World Cup clash just two years ago.

My instincts tell me that England and Germany will advance to the quarter-final stage

John Motson

However, they're an ageing side and Hagi - a star in Galatasaray's Uefa Cup final win over Arsenal - no longer has quite the youthful zest which saw him dominate games at international level.

In the other game I can only see Germany out-muscling Portugal with Oliver Bierhoff instrumental in their victory.

So, although this is a tough group to call, my instincts tell me that England and Germany will advance to the quarter-final stage because they've just got that extra bit of class.

Motty on Group B

From an English perspective, Group B needs looking at in some detail because if Keegan's men proceed into the quarter-finals they will end up playing the winners or the runners-up of this group in Amsterdam or Brussels.

The four nations in Group B are co-hosts Belgium, Italy, Sweden and Turkey.

The dark horses of this group are unquestionably Turkey, who qualified via the play-offs after an impressive win over the Republic of Ireland.

The Turks used to be the whipping boys in the qualification groups but they've improved considerably in recent years and can no longer be taken lightly.

Galatasaray's performances in Europe this season have shown just how much Turkish football has improved and certainly the form of Hakan Suker up front could help them spring a few surprises.

Peak

Sweden ran away with England's qualifying group but I fear that they might have peaked too soon and do not quite possess enough quality to negotiate their way past the first stage.

Several of their players have had quite arduous seasons in the various European Leagues.

I predict Italy and Belgium to qualify from Group B

John Motson

The Italians, like the Germans are not quite the side they used to be, but are keen to improve on what happened to them in France 98 when they were knocked out on penalties for the third World Cup in succession.

Obviously, they've got wonderful players and doubtless the predatory Christian Vieri will knock in a few goals for them which should be enough for Dino Zoff's side to move into the last eight.

Gilles De Bilde: Back in the international frame

Belgium must be considered as quite a dangerous side especially because they've got a new coach in Robert Waseige and some superb individual players like Strupar of Derby County.

They may not have a squad bursting with superstars but the players have taken on board the coach's doctrine of hard work and it has reaped instant reward.

Both Luc Nilis and Gilles de Bilde have returned after temporarily quitting the international scene and as a result Belgium have matched favourites Holland stride for stride in a number of recent friendlies.

That is why I predict Belgium to qualify as runners-up to Italy in Group B.

And so, after much deliberation, my prediction for the first two quarter finals is.........England v Italy and Belgium v Germany.