France and Germany played down disappointing friendly performances as the 16 teams entered their final week of preparations for Euro 2004 on Monday.
France coach Jacques Santini said the stuttering 1-0 win over Ukraine had not harmed his side's chances of defending their title, while captain Oliver Kahn dismissed Germany's shock 2-0 home defeat by Hungary on Sunday.
"We have to make clear to ourselves that we are the World Cup runners-up and are travelling to Euro 2004 as the second best team in the world," Kahn said.
"We lacked self-confidence but we should not give too much importance to this game," added Kahn, whose side begin their campaign against the Netherlands on June 15.
"It will be a totally different story against the Netherlands and you will see a totally different Germany team on the pitch."
The Dutch are facing serious problems after two 1-0 defeats in the space of eight days. They could switch at the last minute to a 4-3-3 formation from 4-4-2 and they are yet to settle on a striking partnership that scores goals.
Santini admitted his team had struggled to break down a stubborn Ukraine defence before Zinedine Zidane's winner in the dying minutes.
"Obviously, we were still not at 100 per cent but what is comforting is that we showed a strong will and we never gave up," Santini told a news conference at the squad's training base in Clairefontaine.
"When you are able to score a goal two minutes from time, it means that you are mentally ready for a demanding tournament like the Euro. The players have their minds set on it."
"NOT WORRIED"
Santini's mind is firmly fixed on France's opening Group B match against England on Sunday.
"I'm not worried," he said. "I don't want to give too much importance to the Ukraine match. It was part of our preparation." Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn also tried to put a positive spin on his side's scrappy 1-0 win over Liechtenstein.
"Liechtenstein showed the way to be followed at Euro 2004, where we will be the small team," Kuhn told reporters.
"In this game Liechtenstein taught us that you can have heart and commitment no matter how small you are. We are the underdogs in Euro 2004 and that must give us courage."
Greek preparations continued to be hampered by injuries as striker Demis Nikolaidis trained alone and remained doubtful for the tournament-opening match against Portugal on Saturday.
The hosts, in contrast, were in upbeat mood, with winger Simao Sabrosa saying that going without sex during the European Championship would not be a big deal.
"You can take it, it's really nothing extraordinary," Sabrosa told A Bola sports newspaper from the team's training camp in Alcochete, about 25 kilometres east of Lisbon.
"If we had to stay here a month, and that would be great because it would be a sign we were in the final, nobody would be desperate."
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