France 145;on the right track146;

A star-studded French line-up will head to Portugal as serious contenders to successfully defend the European Championship they won so drama...

A star-studded French line-up will head to Portugal as serious contenders to successfully defend the European Championship they won so dramatically against Italy in 2000.

Jacques Santini is now at the helm after taking over from Roger Lemerre following the disastrous 2002 World Cup campaign and the former Lyon handler has fashioned a dangerous looking outfit that went though Euro 2004 qualifying with a perfect record. 8216;8216;We are on the right track,8217;8217; says Santini. 8216;8216;We may have to win six matches in Portugal to defend our title but we will just take it one match at a time.8217;8217;

Eight wins from eight matches in qualifying, 29 goals for and only 3 against left second placed Slovenia ten points off the pace after losing 7-0 on aggregate in the two games against the French.

A line-up that includes Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and a strong supporting cast are now hoping to repeat the success in Rotterdam four years ago, when Sylvain Wiltord struck an injury time equaliser and then David Trezeguet blasted home a golden goal winner to sink Italy.

Fabien Barthez remains number one for Santini in goal since his move from Manchester United to Marseille, but Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet who played under the French coach when they won the 2002 domestic title is pushing hard for the job, dazzling in last year8217;s 3-0 friendly win in Germany. 8216;8216;I8217;ve given the coach something to think about for the team at Euro,8217;8217; enthused Coupet after the match in Gelsenkirchen.

The team have recognised stars in every position and even Arsenal star Robert Pires is fighting hard with Wiltord and AS Roma8217;s Olivier Dacourt, for a midfield place alongside Zidane, Vieira and the emerging Claude Makelele of Chelsea.

Up front, there is no shortage of firepower as Henry and Trezeguet are likely to lead the attack with Auxerre star Djibril Cisse, Steve Marlet and Sydney Govou, both of whom also played under Santini, offering a series of options.

gms/dpa 2004