Holland: (FIFA Ranking 4)

Coach: Dick Advocaat
Dangerman: Ruud Van Nistlerooy
If they were a premiership team they'd be Manchester City - a star studded, exciting line up who can be devastingly good or devastatingly bad!

Holland stuttered in qualifying, ending up in the play offs where they lost to Scotland in the first leg before battering them 6-0 in the second. These 2 results sum the team up in recent years. On their day, they can beat any team in the world, but they can also be very unpredictable.
As one of the hosts of Euro 2000, they were unlucky not to make the final - losing on penalties to Italy in the semi having missed 2 penalties in normal play. Historically they have a good record in this tournament, with recent stars Van Basten, Gullit, Koelman and De Boer all providing memorable moments.
The current team also seems to have the flair of those of the past. Advocaat has to pick from Van Nistelrooy, Makaay, Hasselbaink, Kluivert and Van Hooijdonk to play up front - that's quite a choice! In addition Robben, Davids, and Sneijder can be superb in midfield. However questions have been asked about the Dutch defence, which Stam apart does look a little weak.
Providing the Dutch can prevent the infighting that has ruined previous tournament campaigns they are very capable of being a major force this year.

The Dutch looked a little jaded against The Germans in the 1st game, but managed a 1-1 draw, which was followed by the game of the tournament so far where Holland were 2 up against the Czechs, only to lose 3-2. It could have been 8-7! Holland now must beat Latvia in the final game and hope that the Germans don't beat the Czechs.

Current Spread Prices:
Tournament Index: 17-20 (see main Euro 2004 page for a full list of prices and betting expanation)
Group Index - 6-7 (see Euro 2004 page for betting explanation)

Germany: (FIFA Ranking 9)

Coach: Rudi Voller
Dangerman: Michael Ballack
If they were a premiership team they'd be Manchester United - once all conquering, but seemingly not as strong as they once were.

Writing off Germany before a major championship has always been a foolish pastime - their experience, durability and talent (as well as their ability at penalty shootouts!) will always ensure that they are genuine contenders.
They travelled to the last World Cup as no-hopers and came home as runners up, while they cruised through the qualifying campaign for Euro 2004 unbeaten.
However a recent 5-1 hammering by Romania has left the side bereft of confidence and form, although their star player Michael Ballack was absent for this game. Ballack is fit for the championships and his prescence may make all the difference.
This will be a very difficult group, with realistically Germany battling it out with Holland and the Czechs for the 2 places in the next stage.
Historically Germany are a force, but is the present team capable of living up to the success of those of the past?

In the first game the answer to the above question would have been - Yes. A very convincing 1-1 draw with the Dutch gave the Germans renewed confidence. However a 0-0 stalemate with the minnows of Latvia has left German football in a state of shock and needing to beat the Czechs in the final game. However the Czechs have already won their group and are rumoured to be resting many of their star names for the final game. Will this fall into the German's hands?

Current Spread Prices:
Tournament Index: 24-27
Group Index: 7-8