Let's face it, from a European perspective the Dutch team in the finals is the better outcome (though I have a lot of sympathy for the local perspective).

I have smiled too about Latvia for several reasons (one very similar to Dai's). One reason is a narrow local one: Latvia has helped Germany. How that? Turkey was ranked 8th best European team and Germany 9th (only the European results count and not the last world cup). Now, Germany has the benefit to be now in the 'four second bests lot' (there must be another expression, but you'll understand me, I think), among 'second rank' Eoropean teams like England, Spain and Italy.

These four teams will not play against each other in the first round. That's the good news for them. The bad news is that the Netherlands is in the 'four third best lot'. So with just a little bit of bad luck, England (or Germany...) could play against France, Holland and Greece. Or, of course, against Sweden, Russia and Latvia.

Holland, France, and perhaps Italy are my favourites, with England a runner up. Mind my words for I have a record of being wrong nearly each single time in my predictions for European or world cup.

Wolfgang