Germany coach Rudi Voller has fulfilled his promise to pick a more attacking line-up for the Group D match with Latvia at Porto’s Estadio do Bessa as he sought the goals that could give his side a crucial edge in what is considered to be the tournament’s “Group of Death”.

Latvia defender Igors Stepanovs believes his country’s Euro 2004 match with Germany will be another step on the learning curve for the big-stage debutants.

Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs may freshen up his side for the match with Germany after a gruelling 2-1 defeat by the Czech Republic in their opener at Aveiro’s Estadio Municipal.

Czech Republic 2 Latvia 1

Latvia striker Marian Pahars lost his fitness battle to start the Group D Euro 2004 match with the Czech Republic at Aveiro’s colourful Estadio Municipal in what is the biggest moment in the Baltic nation’s football history.

Latvia will wait until just before kick-off before deciding whether to field Southampton striker Marian Pahars against the Czech Republic in their Euro 2004 opener on today.

LATVIA Coach Aleksandrs Starkovs is under no illusion about the importance of the Euro 2004 finals for the tiny Baltic nation.