Thuram: It will be tougher this time

Thuram played a key role for France two years ago

Pete Lansley, Sport Online's man at Euro 2000, talks to French World Cup winning defender Lilian Thuram.

Lilian Thuram, Parma's £10 million-rated defender, reckons winning Euro 2000 will be harder than lifting the World Cup.

France start the tournament among the favourites having conquered the world two years ago.

They are likely to kick off against Denmark, in Bruges on Sunday evening, with a very similar line-up to that which beat Brazil 3-0 in the France '98 final.

We are the team everyone wants to beat

Lilian Thuram

However, Arsenal's Thierry Henry, after his goal glut towards the end of the Premiership season, is favoured to partner Sylvain Wiltford up front.

Thuram, who scored the two goals with which France beat Croatia in the semi-finals in Paris two years ago, said: "We must start off on the right foot.

"We're the team everyone wants to beat because we are the world champions.

"We can't afford to be sloppy because the Danes are a strong team and will take advantage of any slip-up.

Thuram knows France must not be complacent

"We want to make sure we get through the group stage, whether it is in first place or second place, and then it will be very competitive."

"This will be a harder tournament to win because all the teams are strong compared with the World Cup when there were 32 nations of contrasting quality."

The 28-year-old full-back, reportedly a target for Manchester United earlier this summer, helped attempt to heal a rift with the French media during a tense press conference on Saturday.

He said: "I've never had any problems with the press personally. I didn't expect to be talking today but other than that, I don't want to comment on that situation.

"I'm cool," he shrugged. "It's good to be cool the day before the game, but not too cool.

"We want solidarity within our camp, to be together as a group more than in the World Cup, and that will help us go for more success."