French launch Euro campaign with Brazil match

CLAIREFONTAINE (Reuters) -- France coach Jacques Santini believes Thursday's friendly international against Brazil is the perfect preparation for the defence of their European title.

The FIFA centenary match at the Stade de France is expected to take place in a gala atmosphere with the two sides wearing old-fashioned garments -- at least for the first half.

But for the top two soccer countries in the world, there will be more at stake than the prestige of playing 90 minutes of top-notch football.

Since he took over from Roger Lemerre after the 2002 World Cup, Santini has set his sights on steering France to another European triumph and believes the match against the five-time world champions is the perfect way to launch a campaign he hopes to continue until the final on July 4.

"Brazil is the last side of such a level we are going to face before the European championship starts," Santini said ahead of their final preparations that also includes matches against Andorra and Ukraine.

"If we had to play another country, it would have been difficult for me to marshal the players at this time of the season. With Brazil it's going to be easy."

TANTALISING MATCH

If the prospect of an action-packed France v Brazil tie triggers a smile on Santini's face, the French coach knows Thursday's game is not going to be easy.

The Brazilians are coming to Paris seeking revenge for their 3-0 loss in the 1998 World Cup final on the same ground.

"They will be out to make things even," said Santini. "It's going to be a tough game."

Brazil have another reason to do well in France, having been eliminated in the first round of the Confederations Cup tournament there last year.

"This is going to be the match of the year," said coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. "The last two winners of the World Cup trophy are going to face.

"You can't expect a game to surpass this one even if it's (only) a friendly international."

Santini, who named his 23-man Euro 2004 squad early to avoid unnecessary stress, will be missing several players who still have club commitments.

Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez of Olympique Marseille is playing in the UEFA Cup final against Valencia on Wednesday while Bayern Munich fullbacks Bixente Lizarazu and Willy Sagnol are taking part in the last match of the German league on Saturday.

France open their Euro 2004 campaign in Portugal against England on June 13. Croatia and Switzerland are also in Group B.

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