We are better: De Boer

Aron Winter is still fighting for his place in midfield

Frank de Boer believes that the Czech side he will play against on Sunday is good, but not as good as the Holland side waiting for them.

The Barcelona player, who has not enjoyed the best of seasons at club level, is talking in a very positive manner ahead of the intriguing clash.

"The Czechs are a very tough team. After our game with the Czechs earlier this year, I know we are a better team.

"We will have to be focused for 90 minutes and not give away anything. We didn't concede many goal chances last time we played them but they got that goal back, just because we were not sharp enough for a few seconds.

Czech Rep v Holland

13 previous meetings - Czechs have won eight, Holland only two.

The Czechs won 3-1 in Zagreb at the 1976 European Championships.

Their last meeting ended all-square, a 1-1 draw in Eindhoven last November.

"They are of course not the best team in Europe, but are very difficult to play against."

The Dutch, co-hosting Euro 2000 along with Belgium, are most bookmakers' favourites to lift the trophy they won for the first and only time in 1988.

In the 12 years since that victory, the Dutch have often been tipped to win the European Championships or the World Cup, only to come up short at every turn.

They are of course not the best team in Europe, but are very difficult to play against

Frank de Boer on the Czech Republic

But De Boer, a veteran of international football, believes the current unit are better equipped than any other side he has played for.

"Our side has improved. The squad list is about the same, but we have all become two years older, and have two years more experience with top European clubs."

Coach Frank Rijkaard is wary of the opposition: "We've learned that, against the Czechs, you have to be extremely careful.

"You can't underestimate them. They have incredible fighting spirit and we know that against them pure quality won't be enough to beat them.

Togetherness

"A lot will come from the heart. We need a feeling of togetherness and continuity in the group.

"I do not know how I will create that, but I will do it mainly from the heart."

While it seems that nine of the starting 11 have been decided, doubts remain for Rijkaard over the left-back position.

Either Boudewijn Zenden or Giovanni van Bronckhorst will feature and veteran midfielder Aron Winter and Phillip Cocu will be fighting for the chance to partner Edgar Davids in midfield.

Jan Koller: The man they call Dino

One of the main worries for Rijkaard is the threat of Czech hitman Jan Koller. The Anderlecht giant goes into the match averaging nearly a goal a game for his country.

"Koller, who operates as a target man, is a very good player," said Rijkaard.

The 27-year-old, who plays for Belgian champions Anderlecht, is the most prolific Czech striker in years, with a scoring record of 13 goals in 14 games.

Koller said: "My dream is to advance to the quarter-finals, and of course to play well enough to contribute to our success."

He also added he would be happy with a draw: "They are playing at home, they're the favourites. We're not."

Coach Josef Chovanec had similar sentiments: "The opposition are a mighty team. Either a victory or a draw would certainly be a success for our team," he told reporters.

Talismanic figure

Midfielder Pavel Nedved has fully recovered from an ankle injury and coach Josef Chovanec's only problem is the absence of the talismanic figure of Patrik Berger.

The Liverpool midfielder, who was in blistering form for the English side last season, is suspended for the first two games of the competition after an uncharacteristic sending off against the Faroe Islands.

Patrik Berger: Suspension rules him out

"I hope to play one more game in this tournament, so I believe we can qualify for the quarter finals," said the player.

For now, Berger is a spectator who is quietly optimistic about his country's chances.

"All groups are hard. But all the teams start from zero and anything's possible."

Chovanec added: "All the players are fit now and there are no serious injuries."

The Czech coach will tell his players who is playing on Sunday morning.