Pointing the way to Portugal

The 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan has been left behind and Europe's teams are focusing on qualification for the 2004 UEFA European Championship. For some there will be a few cosmetic changes, for others there will be major surgery and a number begin that process in tonight's friendly matches.

Title defence
France will be hoping to put their disastrous World Cup campaign behind them when they take on Tunisia in Tunis in their only warm-up match before they embark on the defence of their European Championship title next month. New coach Jacques Santini has promised to restore French pride after the disappointment of the World Cup, where the holders were knocked out in the first round without scoring a single goal.

'No friendlies'
"France must bounce back and prove their real worth," said Santini, who took over after Roger Lemerre was sacked last month. "I'm here to help them. The Tunisia match will be approached with great care. We will be confronted soon with the European Championship qualifying match. There are no friendly games for us anymore."

Young blood
Santini has put his faith in Zinedine Zidane, Emmanuel Petit, Marcel Desailly and Lilian Thuram, who were all part of the team that won the competition in 2000 as well as the World Cup in 1998. Desailly will stay on as captain despite speculation that Zidane or Arsenal FC's Patrick Vieira would take over the role. But he has added some young blood in AJ Auxerre defender Philippe Mèxes and Olympique Lyonnais striker Sidney Govou.

'More relaxed'
"I could feel something changed as soon as I got to the airport in Paris," said goalkeeper Grégory Coupet who is certain to start as Manchester United FC's Fabien Barthez and FC Girondins de Bordeaux's Ulrich Ramé are both injured. "The atmosphere was more relaxed. The mood was much more cheerful."

French foes
France face Cyprus in their first qualifier on 7 September, with Israel, Malta and Slovenia also featuring in Group 1. Israel and Malta are also in friendly action today away to Lithuania and F.Y.R. Macedonia respectively, while Cyprus visit Northern Ireland.

Lesson learned
While France are hoping to put the World Cup behind them, Germany, the runners-up in Korea/Japan, will be looking to build on the experience as they take on Bulgaria in Sofia. Germany coach Rudi Völler will be forced to experiment because of injuries. Goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn has pulled out with a bruised knee and several other first-choice players are also out, among them Liverpool FC midfield player Dietmar Hamann and Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker Oliver Neuville.

Good behaviour
FC Bayern München midfield player Jens Jeremies will take over as captain as Germany warm up for the start of their EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign in Lithuania next month. "Jens is the most capped player in the squad and this is also a way to thank him for his behaviour and performances at the World Cup," Völler said.

Vogts's vision
The Faroe Islands, Scotland and Iceland are also in Group 5 with Germany. Berti Vogts's Scotland side take on Denmark in Glasgow tonight, while Iceland host Andorra in Reykjavik and Faroe Islands welcome Liechtenstein. Vogts, who coached Germany when they won the title at EURO 96™, will be keen for an improved performance from his side against the Danes who were so impressive at the World Cup before going out to England in the second round.

Late withdrawal
Italy, sent packing by the Korean Republic in June, face Slovenia in Trieste. AS Roma goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli has been called up to the squad as a replacement for the injured Francesco Toldo and will provide cover for first-choice Gianluigi Buffon. Toldo has withdrawn along with FC Internazionale team-mate Christian Vieri, with Vincenzo Montella looking set to take his place in attack. Italy face Azerbaijan, Wales, Finland and Yugoslavia in Group 9. Wales meet Croatia in Varazdin, Yugoslavia travel the short distance to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Azerbaijan host Uzbekistan in Baku.

Turkey back in action
Meanwhile, Finland host the Republic of Ireland in Helsinki, the first outing for the Irish since their penalty shootout defeat in Korea by Spain. They face Georgia, Albania, Russia and Switzerland in Group 10, and for Georgia a difficult-looking test awaits in Turkey tonight. Senol Günes's Turkish side are certain to receive a warm reception in Trabzon following their third-placed finish in the Far East. Russia host Sweden in Moscow and the Swiss take on Austria in Basel.

Dutch farce
The Netherlands will be hoping to put their World Cup misery behind them after Ireland and Portugal stopped them even reaching the finals. Dick Advocaat has been assigned with the task of taking his team through this time, with Moldova, the Czech Republic, Belarus and Austria standing in his way in Group 3. He starts with a friendly against Norway in Oslo. Of his adversaries only Moldova are in action, as they take on Estonia in Tallinn.

New Spain
Spain travel to Budapest to take on Hungary in Budapest. Coach Iñaki Sáez has been charged with the responsibility of leading his new charges - captained by Raúl González - out of Group 6, which also features Armenia, Greece, Northern Ireland and Ukraine. Armenia face a friendly test against Latvia in Riga, Greece take on Romania in Bucharest and Ukraine host Iran.

Fresh start