The Belgians don't need a lot of motivation to make a special effort for Euro 2000. National pride ensures that a country perceived as the minor partner - the weak link, even - in this joint venture will go the extra kilometre.

When it comes to security and safety, however, there is another driving force behind the meticulous planning and organisation which should, hopefully, pay dividends over the next month.

This is a nation which still bears the scars of Heysel, a country which yearns to make its centrepiece stadium known for something other than the disaster which claimed 39 lives 15 years ago.

So, while the police endure mock riots in bullet-proof vests and gas masks, the men responsible for bringing this event to the people of Brussels, Liege, Bruges and sleepy little Charleroi unashamedly use Heysel as a reminder of why the hooligans must be kept in check.

Standing pitchside at the rebuilt and renamed King Baudouin Stadium, it is hard to believe that this 50,000-seat arena stands on the site where running battles between Liverpool and Juventus fans ended in tragedy.

But a local journalist, recalling the European Cup Final which turned to disaster when a wall collapsed, seemed to speak for his country when he said: 'If I look over behind that goal and close my eyes, I can still see the people running in panic.'

That sentiment is echoed by none other than the general secretary of the Belgian Football Association, Jan Peeters, a member of the Euro 2000 board.

He told Soccernet: 'We still live with the scars of what happened here in 1985, so in Brussels safety and security are very important - Heysel is in our memories.

'I was here 15 years ago as a member of our Football Association. I saw dead people lying on the ground, it was horrible.

'That is a good reason to be very, very careful with everything concerning security. We would like to make this stadium, under a new name, known for something else.

'We hope Euro 2000 will be, for Belgium, a kind of renewal. Last year we had some problems of our own, you know, so it is maybe an occasion for our country to show the world that we are able to do something of value.

'I can assure you, twothirds of my time is spent dealing with problems of security.

'I think that the Belgian and Dutch authorities, the Football Associations, have done everything possible to prepare for this Championship in the best way possiuble.

'I don't know what more we can do and it is a pity for the football that we are the victim of this phenomenon. Everyone knows you have a lot of criminals coming to football games to make trouble.'

Privately, many of those who will suffer the public backlash from any violence would like to see a more pro-active approach from police and politicians.

While the Low Countries will close their borders and reintroduce passport controls, there is mounting pressure on Home Secretary Jack Straw to put forward a bill allowing police to confiscate the passports of known hooligans.

As one Belgian administrator said: 'The police in every country taking part know who their trouble makers are. They know where they live and where they work. Why don't they just stop them from travelling?'

Senior figures in Euro 2000 are also resigned to the fact that, before England's meeting with Germany in Charleroi on Saturday week, violence will flare.

There are serious concerns over the temporary stand at the expanded stadium but there is now no question of the game being moved to Brussels, even though authorities would be willing to open up the King Baudouin.

Peeters insisted: 'I don't know why everybody is against the stadium in Charleroi, it is a very nice stadium. 'All the security arrangements have been taken so, for me, there is no problem.'

As Peeters was speaking, the police were outside showing off their latest body armour, gladly labelling themselves 'Robocops' for the media as they demonstrated their tear gas launchers on a gang of tame 'hooligans' lobbing Molotov cocktails and bricks.

The Belgian Press noted that the gear appeared 'inspired by street battles in Belfast or Londonderry' and, though internment might be out of the question, local police are allowed to arrest people for aggressive behaviour before even a punch is thrown - and they intend to use those powers.

Superintendent Christian De Coninck, the officer in charge of the exercise, said: 'We aim to be prepared for everything that the hooligans might throw at us. Of course, we hope there is no trouble. But, if there is, we will be ready.'

That means being prepared to welcome England fans in Brussels, the natural base for supporters attending the match in Charleroi, which has a definite shortage of accommodation.

With Turkish supporters also in Brussels and England possibly going there for a quarter-final, perhaps even against Turkey, the security risks do not need to be spelled out.

According to the man responsible for the city's image during Euro 2000, though, the emphasis is being placed on diversion rather than confrontation.

Special supporters' villages are being constructed near the stadium, offering entertainment and refreshment for fans bored by the picturesque but slightly lifeless city centre, in the hope of giving idle hands a safe and legal pastime.

Marc Vlaeminck, director of marketing body Fonds Sportif de Bruxelles, told Soccernet: 'Brussels still has a bad image, in the world of football, because of 1985.

'We have to create a completely new image for Brussels and Belgium. We have to prove, along with the Netherlands, that we are able to organise big games.

'The problems of '85 are still present in our memories, for sure. But you have to know that the stadium is completely changed.

'There is maximum security surrounding the stadium and we've had no problems since it was rebuilt two years ago. It is completely safe.

'I would say we spend 90 per cent of our time speaking about security and I am personally responsible for two supporters' villages to be built during the tournament, very close to the stadium.

'It is possible that England will play a quarter-final here and we've already organised, for English fans, a live concert by a Beatles cover band in the village.

'In terms of security for England and Turkey supporters being in the city, I am not responsible, but they must know they are welcome here in Brussels. There will be a lot of people coming to Brussels, even if they play in Charleroi, Liege or Bruges.

'That's one of the reasons we organised a village for foreign fans. People tired of being in the centre can find something to do here.

'My best hope is we get a lot of people in our villages, that we have big matches here and everything will be OK in terms of security. That is the best hope of everybody here and in the world.

'My fears? Well, we are prepared for everything in terms of the security forces, but we depend on a few people who can be responsible for anything, anywhere at any time.

'That is the biggest problem. Ultimately we rely on a few people behaving themselves.'

The people of Belgium may not be able to rely on good behaviour from their visitors, or even many of their own infamous hooligans.

But they cannot doubt the determination, or the motivation, of those who hope to see their country's image, in the eyes of the footballing public, transformed by a relatively trouble-free summer.