Football: Belgium feel pressure

Gordon Tynan
Monday 13 December 1999 00:02 GMT
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ROBERT WASEIGE, the coach of Euro 2000 co-hosts Belgium, said the Belgian public would expect nothing less than success after his team drew Sweden, Turkey and Italy.

He said: "Sweden is very strong, Italy is pure tradition and Turkey is an emerging force. Playing at home will be a small advantage but our draw is no better or worse than anyone else's. But the Belgian public may be more passionate and will expect us to do well."

Sweden's coach, Tommy Soderberg, said: "Italy are like England, they are a team that has had a difficult qualifying campaign, but are a big nation for the tournaments."

Italy's coach, Dino Zoff, said: "We are due to play Sweden in a friendly in February and I hope that match goes ahead. Turkey's Galatasaray have beaten Milan and Bologna in the Champions' League and Uefa Cup and we will be taking them and everyone very seriously. It could have been a better draw for us, I think."

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