Portugal is the venue for Euro 2004 and arguably the most talented group of footballers in the country's history now have the chance to make sure they will not only be the hosts but also the holders.

If they are to achieve that goal they have to beat the best team in the world, France, in Brussels on Wednesday night.

Humberto Coelho's side has enjoyed a relatively trouble free passage to the last four, 17 manic minutes against England apart.

By that stage they were 2-0 down in their opening game and their colourful supporters were sitting in stunned silence.

But since then they have scored nine goals without reply to put England, Romania, Germany and Turkey to the sword. Now they face the ultimate test, Roger Lemerre's France.

Everyone knows how poor and stilted England and Germany were, no match for Portugal's movement and passing skills. Romania held them at bay until the 94th minute while Turkey were sunk from the moment Alpay was sent off in the quarter-final.

Now they must take on a French team that ruled the world two years ago, winning on home soil and now trying to win their first major championship away from home.

That is something they have never achieved, their only European Championship triumph also coming in France.

In 1984 they had to beat Portugal in the semi-final in a match that, until this year's clash between Spain and Yugoslavia, was probably the best game seen in the finals.

Sixteen years ago it was Michel Platini who inspired the French and many felt his number 10 shirt would never be filled again but in Zinedine Zidane 'Les Bleus' have found a man equally inspirational.

He remains the fulcrum of the side and he admitted: "I am 28, fit and in form and I feel great. We have to rest and prepare for the Portugal game but we can do the same against them as we did against Spain."

That win was secured by Youri Djorkaeff's goal, created by Patrick Vieira. While Zidane has been a permanent feature in the team for many years it is only now that the Arsenal man is really starting to feel he belongs.

He played only a bit a part in the World Cup win, coming on as a late substitute in the final against Brazil, but after helping beat Spain he admitted: "I feel better for France now.

"I really feel part of the team and am glad that I am now doing things on the pitch that can help them. I saw a lot of the ball against Spain and managed to get forward. I felt like part of the game."

Vieira's form will ensure his Highbury colleague Emmanuel Petit stays on the sidelines and it is up front that Lemerre has his biggest decision.

Striker Christophe Dugarry broke his nose against Spain but he is confident that he will be able to continue alongside Thierry Henry in attack with Nicolas Anelka waiting in the wings.

There is no doubt that if football was a 22-man game France would be even hotter favourites than they are now but while they have far greater strength in depth they know that Portugal have a first team that can beat anyone.

Much will depend on how well they can defend against Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Joao Pinto, the men who destroyed England.

But unlike the English, France have world-class defenders right across the back-line and it will be a major surprise if they do not book their place in Sunday's final.