Belgium in party mood

How long will the Belgian party continue?

It has taken them a while but, having defeated Sweden, the Belgian nation have succumbed to Euro 2000 fever.

Following Belgium's 2-1 win in the tournament's opening game, there were euphoric scenes on the streets of Brussels.

The Belgian press have joined in the celebrations, displaying a new air of sporting confidence.

Newspaper La Derniere Heure reported the country had gone "Into orbit".

"The Red Devils could not have dreamed of a better start - this victory already puts the Belgians on the road to possible qualification for the quarter-finals."

"Bingo," said Het Volk, while Vers l'Avenir opted for "Brilliant".

The Red Devils could not have dreamed of a better start

La Derniere Heure newspaper

"Europhoria," proclaimed a special edition of Het Nieuwsblad. "The path to the second stage is now wide open."

"The Red Devils launch the Belgian party," exclaimed La Libre Belgique in a special Euro 2000 edition, while La Gazette des Sports simply printed a Belgian flag as its front page.

Effervescent

Most media praise was reserved for man-of-the-match Emile Mpenza, Bart Goor - who scored the first goal - and the effervescent Marc Wilmots.

Deflandre: plaudits

Even right-back Eric Deflandre, who has had his critics in the build-up to Euro 2000, received plaudits.

There was even forgiveness for Filip De Wilde after the goalkeeping blunder which gifted Sweden their goal.

The real test of this new-found optimism comes on Wednesday when Belgium face Italy, a team they beat in a friendly in Lecce last year.