Gallery

Netherlands' defender John Heitinga, Germany's goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn, teammate defender Jens Nowotny, and Netherlands' defender Wilfred Bouma vie for the ball, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois GUILLOT

The second-half battle in the German half was fierce. Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn who celebrated his 35th birthday on Tuesday was acrobatic but failed to keep out a late equaliser from Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as the match finished 1-1.

Netherlands' forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij jubilates after his goal, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 group D football match against Germany at the European Nations in Portugal. AFP PHOTO / DDP Marcus BRANDT

Ruud van Nistelrooy proved once again why he is one of the best strikers in the game with a late opportunist equaliser to save Holland. The Manchester United marksman cancelled out Torsten Frings first half opener in an entertaining match that finished 1-1.

Netherlands' goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar (R) looks at the goal of Germany's midfielder Torsten Frings,15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal.

Germany rejoice as Torsten Fring's innocent free-kick floats past the Dutch defence including 'keeper Edwin van der Sar and finds the back of the net. The match finished 1-1 after Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a late equaliser.

Netherlands' supporters cheer at their players, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, prior to the Euro 2004 group D football match between Germany and Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Javier SORIANO

Orange shirts were in abundance in Porto where the Netherlands supported by their fervent fans were in action Tuesday against arch rivals Germany.

Netherlands' defender Wilfred Bouma (R) vies with Germany's defender Arne Friedrich and teammate defender Christian Worns (L), 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Francois GUILLOT

There was plenty of gamesmanship and shirt pulling in Porto as old foes Germany and Holland battled it out in Group D action. Ruud van Nistelrooy saved the day for Holland with a 81st minute equaliser to snatch a point in a 1-1 draw.

Netherlands' forward Andy Van Der Meyde jumps to head off the ball, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 group D football match against Germany at the European Nations championship in Portugal.

There was nothing to separate Holland and Germany on Tuesday as the two rivals finished level at 1-1. Here Dutch striker Andy van der Meyde battles for possesion.

Germany's midfielder Bernd Schneider (L) and Netherlands' defender Giovanni Van Bronckhorst vie in the air, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, for their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal.

A fierce battle took place in Porto on Tuesday but the spoils were shared as Holland matched Germany in a 1-1 draw. Both sides kept their ambitions burning to reach the quarter-finals with Group D wide open after day one.

Netherlands' supporter pose, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, prior to the Euro 2004 group D football match between Germany and Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal.

A lion-hearted Dutch fan goes to town on his make-up ahead of Holland's crunch Group D tie against Germany. There is no love lost between the two sides and victory will have a great impact on who reaches the quarter-finals.

Czech republic forward Marek Heinz (C) celebrates with Milan Baros after scoring against Latvia, 15 June 2004 at the Aveiro municipal stadium in Aveiro during their opening match at the European Nations football championships in Portugal. The Czech Republic won 2-1. AFP PHOTO Janek SKARZYNSKI

Relief and joy for the Czech Republic who were given a mighty scare by unfancied Latvia before Marek Heinze (C) banged home the winner with five minutes remaining. Final score Latvia 1 Czech Republic 2.

A Czech Republic supporter is seen, 15 June 2004 at the Aveiro municipal stadium in Aveiro prior to their opening match at the European Nations football championships in Portugal. Latvia and the Czech Republic are competing in Group D with Germany and the Netherlands.

This Czech Republic fan will be content after Tuesday's action in Group B. His side squeezed out a 2-1 win over Latvia while Germany and Holland finished level at 1-1. The second matches get underway on Wednesday with everything to play for.

Latvian coach Aleksandrs Starkovs (L) walks off the pitch with an unhappy Aleksandrs Isakovs after Latvia lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic, 15 June 2004 during their opening match of the European Nations football championships at the Aveiro municipal stadium in Aveiro. Latvia and the Czech Republic are competing in Group D with Germany and the Netherlands.

Latvia defied their status as tournament minnows by pushing the Czech Republic to the limit of their powers on Tuesday. There was eventual heartbreak however for coach Aleksandrs Starkovs and his players as they fell to a late 2-1 defeat.

Czech Republic forward Milan Baros (C) tries to get the ball from an unidentifed Latvia player, 15 June 2004 during their opening match of the European Nations football championships at Aveiro's municipal stadium. The Czech Republic and Latvia are competing in Group D with Germany and The Netherlands.

Liverpool striker Milan Baros (L) made amends for his error that led to the opening goal for Lativia by dragging the Czech Republic back into the match. His equaliser in the 73rd minute tied the score at 1-1 before Marek Heinze snatched an 85th minute winner.