Stockholm, Oct 16: Ronald Koeman, who knows what it takes to win the European championship, says hosts Portugal together with Italy and Germany are his favourites to win the Euro 2004 finals next summer.
Koeman was a member of the outstanding Dutch team that won the 1988 European title, and he also named the Netherlands among the favourites even though his own country has still to win a play-off against Scotland to qualify for the finals in Portugal.
Koeman, now the coach of Ajax Amsterdam was speaking after his side beat Djurgarden 5-0 in a friendly in Stockholm yesterday and tipped the host nation as his overall favourite.
''Portugal, because they play at home will have a lot of support and they have a very good team,'' Koeman told reporters.
He also said that both Italy and Germany would be as strong as ever and that the Dutch, who finished second in their qualifying group behind the Czech Republic, would be keen to repair the damage they suffered when they failed to make the 2002 World Cup finals.



He said the biggest surprise in the qualifying stage was been Switzerland, who won group ten ahead of Russia and Ireland.


Bureau Report