No more rows, insists Rijkaard

Dutch team spirit is strong says Rijkaard

Frank Rijkaard says that morale among Holland's players is high ahead of their Euro 2000 opener against the Czech Republic on Sunday.

The coach insists there will be no repeat of the in-fighting which marred their last European Championship campaign.

The Dutch camp self-destructed in a hail of disputes at Euro 96, with midfielder Edgar Davids sent home by coach Guus Hiddink and the team thrashed 4-1 by England at Wembley.

After healing the wounds, Holland went on to reach the last four of the 1998 World Cup finals in France, where they lost to Brazil on penalties.

Passion play

Rijkaard, a key player in the side which won the 1988 European Championship, believes that if their spirit remains strong, his team can succeed at Euro 2000.

He said: "A lot will come from the heart, and we need a feeling of togetherness and continuity in the group.

"But we have prepared well and are mentally very fit. The players are eager to start and really want the tournament to begin."

The co-hosts go into Sunday's game in Amsterdam as tournament favourites.