Built: 1930
Capacity: 50,000

Should England finish second in their opening phase group at Euro 2000, their quarter-final will take place on June 24 at the 50,000 capacity King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. If the authorities had their way, that England vs Germany clash scheduled for Charleroi would be moved to this city.

Like Wembley, King Baudouin Stadium doesn't entertain regular club football. Brussels' premier club side Anderlect play at Stade Constant Vanden Stock, a ground named after the brewer who was club president for 15 years.

The stadium was built on the site of the former Heysel, the tragic scene of the 1985 European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus, where 39, mainly Italian fans lost their lives.

The new-look venue was unveiled in 1995 for an international friendly between Belgium and Germany.

While the original facade of the Heysel remains, the rest of the ill-fated ground has been superbly refurbished at a cost of some £30 million and the new creation should prove a perfect stage for the opening game of Euro 2000, Belgium's first round ties against Italy and Turkey, plus a quarter and semi-final.

Away from the footballing action, no one should be able to complain of boredom in Brussels. Any visit should include a look at the famous Mannekin Pis statue and a stroll around the Grand Place, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, with its flamboyant architecture, cafes and bars, while the Atomium, the gigantic model of a molecule built for the 1958 World Fair is another must and is conveniently sited near the Baudouin Stadium.

Brussels' reputation as the continent's business centre should not disguise its pulling power as a vibrant city for fans to visit.

As well as the obvious attractions of `biere blonde' and Belgian chocolate, the 2000 European City of Culture offers a shoppers' paradise among the pretty streets and stunning art nouveau architecture.

Brussels has more great bars than any fan - no matter how thirsty - could be reasonably be expected to visit during the championships.

Bars to head for include the famous a la Mort Subite in Rue Montagne aux Herbes Portageres and Le Falstaff in Rue Henri Maus, which stays open until dawn at the weekend.

There are also a batch of decent locals' hangouts right in the middle of town around Grand Place.

At night Brussels is alive with theatres, cinemas, concerts, jazz events and discos, with open air festivals in the summer. Furthermore, it is a city where it is decidedly hard not to eat and drink well.

Whether you are looking for a small restaurant whose speciality is a reasonably-priced plate of the local favourite, mussels and chips, an eatery offering overseas cuisine (the range includes Turkish, Italian, Spanish, Vietnamese, Japanese and so many more) or great seafood - the St Catherine district north-west of the Grand Place is the best spot - you should not be disappointed.

Getting there

Catch one of the many flights to Brussels Airport, or take the Eurostar from London Waterloo, which takes two hours and 40 minutes. By road, approach from the west by the E19 or E40; use the N5 from the south; the E40 or E511 from the east; or E19 and R20 or R21 from the north.