France showing some front

Henry won't take the Danes lying down

France won the World Cup two years ago with no particular striker grabbing the headlines.

Their Euro 2000 campaign kicks off against Denmark at the weekend and they now boast a plethora of goalscorers to choose from.

Christophe Dugarry and David Trezeguet both played at France 1998 and now their chances of claiming a footballing double have been boosted with the current form of Nicolas Anelka and especially Thierry Henry.

Despite the competition for places Dugarry is happy.

France v Denmark

7 previous meetings, both sides winning 3 apiece.

France won 1-0 in Paris on their way to winning the European Championships in 1984.

Denmark earned revenge in Malmo eight years later as they went all the way in Sweden.

"I have been waiting for this kind of competition in attack for some years," said Dugarry.

"There are lots of players who can play as target men and that's exactly what I like.

"I am really happy that Anelka and Trezeguet are there. We now have some real number nines."

Dugarry is suspended for the opening match against Denmark on Sunday and coach Roger Lemerre is likely to start with Anelka and Henry.

Denmark not only have to keep out France's deadly strike force but have to penetrate the defence.

I have been waiting for this kind of competition in attack for some years

Christophe Dugarry

Defender Bixente Lizarazu was in confident mood.

"When we are on form, it remains very difficult to score against us," he said.

"But we do have periods of 10 to 15 minutes when we lose concentration and can be caught out of position."

Marcel Desailly meanwhile insisted the World Cup champions would not be underestimating their opposition.

"Denmark are a quality team and we have a lot of respect for them.

"But we have been preparing for this game for 15 days and have had the chance to work hard physically. We are ready for the game."

Danish camp

The mood in the Danish camp will have lifted thanks to the recovery of several key players.

The Danes were fearing the worst with no less then seven of their regulars on the treatment table, including almost the whole of their defence.

Despite continuing concerns with two of their players, coach Bo Johansson will welcome the news that players such as Brian Steen Nielsen, Thomas Helveg and Jon Dahl Tomasson appear to have fully recovered.

The assistant team doctor Allan Polsen emphasised the relief in the squad.

Underdog label appeals to Heintze

"The team is fine today although we won't be sure about (Martin) Jorgensen or (Jes) Hogh until right before the match," he said.

PSV Eindhoven defender Jan Heintze is happy with their tag of underdogs.

"France has a team of great players but their attitude may be too relaxed," he said.

"The pressure is on the other teams in the group and that suits us."

The squad leaves its base close to the Dutch-German border for Bruges on Saturday and Johansson seems ready for the big game.

"We have respect for France, but we are not afraid of its stature," he said.