Not only is it a contest that could well decide the fate of both countries - being the last before the knock-out stage - but it will pair Jose Camacho with his former boss at Real Madrid, Vujadin Boskov.

Boskov, now in charge of Yugoslavia, knows all about the astute footballing brain of his former charge, a left-back who made 81 international appearances and spent three years at Real Madrid.

There was even speculation that Camacho would return to Real Madrid but he has since pledged his loyalty to the national cause - until the 2002 World Cup at least.

It is not for track record that there are some doubts over Camacho's suitability for the job.

After taking over from the unflamboyant Javier Clemente in September 1998, Spain qualified for Euro 2000 at a canter.

Heads were turned in the process with the little matter of 42 goals in eight matches.

After the pain of the Clemente era, when Spain habitually romped through qualifiers only to blow it on the big stage, Camacho knows he must at last translate great promise into tangible success.