By Terry Baddoo, CNNSI.com

In suggesting Italy can beat France to claim its second European Championship title, I first have to confess a vested interest in Dino Zoff's Azzurri.

Having originally tipped the Italians to lift their second European Championship trophy, I feel duty-bound to stay with my choice, not to mention the fact that I also stand to win the office pool.

That said, I do genuinely feel the Italians have a good chance to beat the French, depending on which tactics they adopt for Sunday's decisive match.

If they choose to play the exclusively negative defensive game that frustrated the Netherlands so successfully in the semifinal, then I believe that World Cup-champion France has the talent and composure to break them down -- which the Dutch obviously did not.

Granted, the French took their time against the uncharacteristically defensive Portuguese side in their own semifinal, but they eventually got the job done -- albeit in controversial fashion.

If, on the other hand, Italy blends its defensive prowess with some of the attack-minded tactics that previously won them four straight games in regulation time, with a total of eight goals, then I think the combination will test the French to breaking point.

My pre-tournament words will ring true:

"Despite a rough build-up, on paper the Italians still have the talent to excel, and with added motivation from recent failures, Dino Zoff's men will shock the continent, as the unfancied Danes did in '92."

By Patrick Snell, CNNSI.com

"We are still the World Champions and we have no reason to fear anyone." The words of French coach Roger Lemerre uttered before the tournament seem to echo in his players' ears with every passing game.

The French played within themselves to qualify yet still topped their group after 10 games. As the tournament's progressed, that trait's continued. It's as if the World Cup holders have been pacing themselves. The bottom line is there's plenty left in the tank. These players can step up a gear when and if they have to.

Even in defeat against the Dutch in the group stage, the French showed something that could prove crucial -- their strength in depth. Several first-teamers were rested for and a narrow 3-2 loss was the result. That prompted sections of the French media to declare the two best sides in Europe could conceivably be France A and France B.

The likes of Zidane, Petit and Deschamps have already lifted football's biggest prize. But they're determined not to let their grip slip in any way. Winning Euro 2000 is the next logical step for this crop. Proving to Europe and the rest of the world they remain the team to beat is vital to Gallic pride. With huge pools of talent in every department, France's squad's never been stronger. If there are weaknesses, the rest of Europe is yet to detect them.

It took success in the World Cup to ignite a French passion for the national football team. Now that same public is demanding a repeat success in Rotterdam on Sunday. Anything like fulfilling their true potential will be too much for the Azzurri, and Les Bleus will again trigger euphoric scenes on the Champs-Elysees!