France

Even with quality players, the French team struggled in the Euro 2000 final against Italy. Observers attributed this defeat to over confidence. This was followed by a shocking first-round exit from the 2002 World Cup. The team has had enough time to get over these defeats and put their act together. They have to learn to make room by drawing out their opponents out of their own penalty areas.

No Zidane for France this time around. The FIFA World Cup runners-up will attempt to go one better this summer after coping admirably with the retirement of Zinédine Zidane to qualify from a difficult group. France coach Raymond Domenech has opted for continuity since the campaign in Germany two years ago, with the absence of Zidane representing one of few personnel changes.

The retirement of Fabien Barthez, has opened the door to Grégory Coupet who, aged 35, will finally get the chance to shine at a major tournament. The Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper should be well-protected by a vastly experienced back four of Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas and Eric Abidal.

Vieira will captain France if fit. Robust defending has been the cornerstone of Les Bleus' recent success, as their record of five goals conceded in 12 qualifiers suggests. The continued presence of two of the game's finest holding midfielders, Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele, certainly helps - and if the former missed much of qualifying through injury, the latter enjoyed more playing time than anyone.

Coach Domenech relies largely on a 4-4-2 formation, switching only occasionally to 4-2-3-1. Franck Ribéry and Florent Malouda are now fixtures on the right and left wings and Thierry Henry is a guaranteed starter in attack. The country's record marksman - he went into 2008 on 44 goals, three more than Michel Platini - will be partnered either by by Lyon's exciting 20-year-old Karim Benzema or by Nicolas Anelka, who caught the eye in 2007 and scored four times in qualifying.

There are young emerging talents too. The next generation, so to say. Olympique de Marseille starlet Samir Nasri could feature in the Zidane role should Domenech opt for Henry as a lone frontrunner, while Lyon's left-winger Hatem Ben Arfa, 21 in March, has made a promising start to his international career. The versatile Sidney Govou provides useful cover.

France Euro Squad