Latvia face German Goliath

This really is international football's equivalent to David's meeting with Goliath. Germany are a nation that has won this competition - and the FIFA World Cup - three times and they take on a country whose first game in any major tournament finals only took place four days earlier.

Young guns
However Latvia did against the Czech Republic, they will know that Germany's mixed form in recent years - their run to the 2002 World Cup final excepted - will make this the game where they could really cause an upset, having earned a berth at the continent's biggest international football tournament.

Must win
These nations have not met since Latvia was incorporated into the Soviet Union, Germany winning friendlies in 1935 and 1937. Sandwiched between fixtures with the hotly-tipped Netherlands and much-fancied Czechs, Germany will feel that a victory against the tournament outsiders is a must if they are to progress from Group D.

Surprise package
But Latvia will come to Porto having overcome the nerves of their debut at this level, and remembering their victory against the odds in their play-off with Turkey, who like Germany were so impressive in Korea/Japan. They may also think back to surprise victories against Germany by Bulgaria and Croatia at major finals in recent years, not to mention their disappointment at UEFA EURO 2000™, when the idea of Latvia joining them in the finals still seemed most unlikely.