BERLIN (Reuters) - A dwindling number of Germans believe their soccer team will retain the European Championship, according to a survey published by the respected Emnid polling institute.

The survey found only 28 percent of 1,000 Germans over the age of 14 believed the team who won Euro 96 would be champions again in the Finals starting next month in Holland and Belgium.

The figures were down compared with a survey before Germany's disappointing 1-1 draw against Switzerland in a friendly last month. Before the Swiss match, 34 per cent said they believed Germany would win Euro 2000.

Only 38 per cent of those surveyed by Emnid now believe Germany will even reach the final, down from 48 per cent who felt that would happen before the Swiss match.

A growing number of Germans said they felt the team was 'arrogant', according to the survey. A total of 63 per cent now said they believed the German players were arrogant, up from 49 per cent in April.

Only 20 percent believe the team is 'ready for battle', 'motivated', 'likeable', and 'successful' - down from 66 percent in April. More than 70 per cent said that they felt the players were more interested in 'money' than the 'honour' of playing for Germany, the survey found.