Joint host nation Belgium have the honour of kicking off Euro 2000 when they open Group B with a clash against Sweden in Brussels on Saturday - and many experts believe they can be the dark horses of the championships.

Since Robert Waseige took over from the much-vilified Georges Leeskens last year, Belgium's form has improved considerably.

They can boast several top quality players, notably the mercurial Luc Nilis, who has returned to the squad after a self-imposed exile.

The gifted forward is vital to Belgium's hopes, even at the age of 33, and his presence will surely inspire some of the younger members of a squad which will be keen to at least get beyond the group stages.

English fans will know what Gilles de Bilde can do, but he's well down the pecking order behind the likes of Emile Mpenza and Branko Strupar in attack, while Parma midfielder Johan Walem is a world class player.

The advantage of playing at home shouldn't be underestimated, but then neither should a Swedish side which qualified in impressive fashion from England's group, and which has continued its run of form in recent warm-up games, including a 1-1 draw with the highly fancied Spain.

Excellent on the break and superbly organised, Sweden are unlikely to set the world alight at Euro 2000, but they have the experience and ability to get off to a winning start against Belgium.

Celtic striker Henrik Larsson's remarkable recovery from an horrific broken leg gives the Swedes an added dimension up front, and his pace is sure to trouble the Belgian defence.

And with the likes of Fredrik Ljungberg and Johan Mjallby sure to get forward whenever they can from midfield, Sweden are not short of attacking options.

In defence, Tommy Soderberg's side will look to the experience of the likes of Roland Nilsson and Joachim Bjorklund, while their only real problems could be in midfield where they'll be shorn of two key men, Stefan Schwarz and Pontus Kamark.

The duo will both miss the tournament through injury.

As always, the Swedes will carry a serious threat at set-pieces, and after missing out on qualification for Euro 96 having reached the semi-finals of the World Cup two years before, they have something to prove.

The opening match of major championships has often proved a disappointment in the past with both teams desperate to at least avoid defeat. Not since 1984 has the match produced a result, with the last three openers finishing as 1-1 draws.