Sixteen years ago France beat Spain in the final of the European Championships in Paris to lift their first major trophy.

On Sunday in Bruges they must beat Spain again if they are to realise their dream of being crowned champions of Europe as well as champions of the world.

But when the two teams kick off, one thing is certain, it will be almost impossible for them to match the drama in the stadium on Wednesday evening.

Spain's dramatic late flourish against Yugoslavia spared them yet another early exit from a major championship and confirmed their pre-tournament standing as dangerous dark horses.

Scoring two injury time goals to win the group is something that is unlikely to be repeated but, if they are to beat Roger Lemerre's men, they will have to repeat that display of guts and determination.

Quite simply, Spain have got too many good players for them to have ever worried about not qualifying and now that talented group can test itself against the best.

France may have lost to Holland hours after Spain's dramatic but that below-strength side did more than enough to confirm that they are still the side everyone has to beat.

Spain's coach Jose Camacho was a member of the side beaten by France in 1984 and he has no new injury problems ahead of Sunday's game.

Fernando Hierro will be missing but although he is vastly experienced he is a man who is now past his best.

The front pair of Raul and Alfonso, the last-gasp hero, picks itself, while Josep Guardiola, Fran, Gaizka Mendieta and Joseba Exteberria will attempt to supply them.

Against both the Czech Republic and even Denmark the French conceded enough chances to give opposing teams hope that they can be attacked.

But it was very much a second string that let in three goals against Holland and the impressive Fabien Barthez will be back in goal behind Lilian Thuram, Laurent Blanc and Bixente Lizarazu, if fit, who all return to rejoin Marcel Desailly in defence.

The man who Camacho fears most is Zinedine Zidane, who will be fresh after also sitting out the match in Amsterdam.

The Spaniards have been working hard on a plan to shackle, him but if they fail they will not be the first.

Thierry Henry will be hoping to keep up his goal a game record in Euro 2000 and is likely to have Nicolas Anelka alongside him, while in midfield skipper Didier Deschamps and Emmanuel Petit should be back.

Coach Roger Lemerre will have a decision to make as to whether to start with Patrick Vieira or Youri Djorkaeff but it is a dilemma that any one of the other 15 coaches that started Euro 2000 would love to have.

That enviable strength in depth is the main reason why France should cope with the very real threat of Spain. While their opponents were involved in stomach-churning drama in their last group game, the French stars had their feet up.

On Sunday Zidane and co return to the fray and they can make that advantage pay.

But after what happened in the last match in the Jan Breydel Stadium, no one will be taking anything for granted ever again.