Ballack gets Vogts' vote

Close game
Vogts, who led Germany to their 1996 UEFA European Championship triumph, is now manager of Scotland and knows the Dutch well having lost out to Dick Advocaat's team in a play-off for the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals. He predicts a close game tonight, but thinks Germany are strong enough to win despite a poor run-up to the tournament. "People might think the Dutch are the favourites going into this game, but I don't agree. It's a 50-50 game and I hope Germany win," Vogts told euro2004.com.

Out to win
He added: "Germany will draw on their experience at the last [FIFA] World Cup. No one gave them a chance then, but they got to the final and played well. Germany never go into a tournament thinking they are second best. The players will believe they are the best in Europe and are capable of winning the tournament - that is the German way."

Ballack is key
Vogts believes the influence of FC Bayern München midfield player Ballack will be crucial not only against the Dutch, but also to Germany's overall chances at the finals. The 27-year-old has had an indifferent season by his own high standards and Vogts is hoping he can rediscover his form quickly and inspire Germany to success in Portugal.

High hopes
"Ballack is to Germany what [Zinedine] Zidane is to France," he said. "They are the playmakers in the team. If Ballack can find his feet quickly in this tournament, Germany could prove everyone wrong again and go on a long run. They are not the favourites, France and Italy are the favourites, but as ever Germany will be there or thereabouts."

Praise for England
The Scotland coach also had some words of comfort for his England counterpart Sven-Göran Eriksson following the dramatic 2-1 defeat by France on Sunday. Vogts felt it was the best performance by an English side in years and is backing them to bounce back against Switzerland in Coimbra on Thursday.

No doubts
He said: "England were unlucky, but it just goes to show you have to play for the full 90 minutes and sometimes beyond that. But there were so many positive things in that game for England. It was an amazing match and in my opinion that was the best performance by an English side in the last six or seven years. I'm confident they will come back stronger and qualify for the knockout stages."