BRUSSELS. June 5: The 16 participating nations in the Euro 2000 football finals made final prepartions for their arrival at their respective bases as the buildup to the June 10 kic koff in Brussels reaches Its climax, reports AFP.

The Swedes who play Belgium In the opening match in Brussels joined Spain as the first participants to take possession of their hotel keys when they arrived Saturday.

The two teams finished their preparation matches with all draw as the two hopefuls exchanged penalties In Sweden.

Norway who are the Spaniard's first opponents on June 13 are expected to be the last arrivals on Friday when they take up residence in Knokke in Belgium.

They finished their last warm-up match with a well-earned 1-0 victory over the struggling Italian side.

A good geographic location was important in the squads choice of base as well as security. discretion and cornfort as the respective management teams aimed to give their players the best possible conditions

World Champions France who are among the favourites to lift the title In the July 2 final in Rotterdam arrive Wednesday al the Genval castle just outside of Brussels.

Coach Roger Lemerre was so impressed with the facilities in French-speaking Wallonia that he has already taken an option to use the same location should France qualify for the quarterfinals.

Kevin Keegan's improving England squad opted for a symbolic location by choosing the Grand Hotel in Waterloo. Just a few hundred metres from the historic battle fields where the British army inflicted a crushing defeat on France led by Napoleon in 1815.

England who struggled to a 2-1 win over Malta orrSaturday will first spend a couple of days at the Balmoral hotel in Spa. which offers Keegan s men an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and golf course

France who feature in a difficult group with Holland and

the Czech Republic kick off against Denmark who complete the group on June 1 1 in Brugge.

England face a tricky opening match against Portugal be-, fore the big clash against de< fending champions Germany five days later, with Romania completing the group

Portugal have chosen the Dutch town of Ennelo and will arrive with their own group of chefs declining the cuisine of local French and German cooks.

Turkey will take up a home away from home as they have chosen the Turkish community in Delden which is situated in Holland close to the German border where hundreds of Turks are expected to make the short trip to support their heros.

Outsiders Slovenia have chosen modest accommadatlon in another Dutch town of Soestduinen where they will have a lush buffet at their disposal offering various international dishes.

Most nations will quit the country’ the day after elimination. however the ever op-tornistic Spaniards have booked 66 rooms in their Dutch hotel regardless of what happens until rhe conclusion of the July 2 final in Rotterdam.