Beckham leading by example

Seismic meeting
England start in Group B against France on Sunday in a seismic meeting between two neighbouring nations and Beckham feels that a draw "would be great". The Real Madrid CF midfield player continued: "If it's a win then even better but it's important that we don't lose the game.

'Massive challenge'
"I'd like to think I can make a big impact in the tournament but I have to perform like all the others. Most people have been talking about how good the French team are, and rightly so, but we've got a lot of talent as well. We have a lot of young players but they are also very talented players."

Club colleagues
Beckham said the fact that so many players on each side had club colleagues lining up against them would have no bearing on the Estádio da Luz fixture. "Every one of the players respects every one of the players on the other team but when you cross that white line most of the respect goes and you fight to win the game."

'Amazing player'
For Beckham, the team-mate threatening England's chances is Zinedine Zidane. "I think people realise what an amazing player he is and no one more than me," he said. "To play with him is a great honour and to play against him is very tough. We have spoken about him and we have got our way [of playing against him] and hopefully it works on the day."

Beckham 'confident'
Can England emerge as the champions of Europe on 4 July? "I'm very confident we've got a very good chance," Beckham said. "There's a long way to go but if we get a good result [on Sunday] and take it on to the next two games you never know. We are a lot happier and stronger going into this competition compared with the last World Cup."