How the final was won and lost
OVERVIEW
Italy come into the Euro 2000 finals still trying to live up to the high expectations that always face them.
Coach Dino Zoff came through a difficult finish to the qualifying campaign as his men stumbled into the finals.
Everything looked to be going according to plan when the Azzurri started their qualifying campaign superbly by beating Wales 2-0 at Anfield.
They followed that with a 2-0 victory over Switzerland in Udine, but the result which really stood out was a 2-1 win over the Danes in Copenhagen.
The first signs of trouble however came with an embarrassing home draw against Belarus in Ancona.
And a 3-2 home defeat by Denmark - after being 2-0 up - left them needing a point in Minsk to qualify.
It didn't prove easy for Zoff's expensive squad but they did get that crucial point from a goalless draw.
Now Zoff has the hardest task for any Italian boss in the lead-up to the finals - deciding on his best team.
He has a galaxy of Serie A stars to choose from, almost too many.
Too often they've under-achieved at international level, despite reaching the World Cup final in the USA in 1994.
With Alessandro Del Piero approaching full fitness after a long spell out with injury, Italy have a magnificent playmaker.
But without the injured Christian Vieri in attack goals could prove hard to come by for Zoff's side.
And behind Del Piero the midfield area could prove a real worry.
Demetrio Albertini has been the heartbeat of the team for a long time, but lacks the flair to open up defences.
Francesco Totti can do that, but like Del Piero he too plays slightly further forward.
Italian defences are historically miserly, and with young star Fabio Cannavaro marshalling the forces and Paolo Maldini still around the Azzurri won't give much away.
In goal Fiorentina giant Francesco Toldo is likely to start after the loss of Parma youngster Gianluigi Buffon through injury.
With the players they have to choose from the Italians should at least reach the later stages, especially after missing out on the Group of Death.
Whether they go all the way could well depend on Zoff's team selection.