Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder believes Italy are 'terrified' of facing the Oranje in their opening Group C game at Euro 2008 on Monday.

The 23-year-old insists his side are feeling no fear ahead of the European Championships, and have no reason to be scared of world champions Italy or the other much-fancied team in Group C, France.


'We can have them,' he told Sportweek magazine. 'We must not make the opponent too big.

'That is a Dutch thing. Look at the Italians, they are also afraid of us, be sure of that. They are terrified.

'The same goes for the French. I know for sure that they need to be prepared.'

The Real Madrid man also believes that the tournament's games are likely to be very close and may even be decided by luck.

'The differences are really small,' he said. 'Many duels are decided on minor details, sometimes even only with a lot of luck.

'You see that in the Champions League too. I think the top countries are very close. Everyone is tactical, technical and physically strong. We are one of the better teams, so we do have a chance.'