16-Fabien Barthez (Monaco) - Age: 29; Caps: 36; Goals: 0; Euro 2000 appearances: 4; Euro 2000 goals: 0.

A flamboyant personality with many of the eccentricities of the great goalkeepers of the past. Not always re-assuring under crosses but as a shot stopper, one of the world's best.

15-Lilian Thuram (Parma) - Age: 28; Caps: 60; Goals: 2; Euro 2000 appearances: 4; Euro 2000 goals: 0.

An impressive athlete who doesn't conform to the normal concept of a full back. That is not wholly surprising given that he plays as a central defender for Parma. Strong in the tackle, he can also score as he proved in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia in 1998.

5-Laurent Blanc (Inter Milan) - Age: 34; Caps: 93; Goals: 16; Euro 2000 appearances: 4; Euro 2000 goals: 1.

His composure under pressure has been an integral part of the French success story. Strong and decisive, his forthright style belies the fact that he is also a good passer of the ball. At 34, however, his pace is now questionable.

8-Marcel Desailly (Chelsea) - Age: 31; Caps: 70; Goals: 2; Euro 2000 appearances: 5; Euro 2000 goals: 0.

Another central defender of the old school whose great strength, as he has proved so often with Chelsea, is his ability to read the game. Formerly a holding player in midfield with AC Milan, he complements Blanc perfectly with precious saving tackles.

3-Bixente Lizarazu (Bayern Munich) - Age: 30; Caps: 56; Goals: 2; Euro 2000 appearances: 3; Euro 2000 goals: 0.

Provides essential pace at the back for the world champions, a quality which also enables him to give extra width to the attack when he goes forward. Not as effective here so far as during France '98, a commentary perhaps on the injuries he has suffered in the intervening period.

4-Patrick Vieira (Arsenal) - Age: 24; Caps: 28; Goals: 0; Euro 2000 appearances: 5; Euro 2000 goals: 0

A good all-round midfield player, he can use the ball cleverly after winning big tackles. His brittle temperament can occasionally make him a liability.

7-Didier Deschamps (Chelsea) - Age: 31; Caps: 100; Goals: 4; Euro 2000 appearances: 5; Euro 2000 goals: 0.

A player who fits the image of an inspiring team captain. Possesses deceptive strength in 50-50 situations and his flair for reading the game means that he is nearly always where the action is. A key man.

17-Emmanuel Petit (Arsenal) - Age: 29; Caps: 40; Goals: 3; Euro 2000 appearances: 3; Euro 2000 goals: 0

One of the bigger enigmas in the team. At his best, a superb player with the vision and skill to undo the most carefully constructed defences. But he has also known some bad times and was branded one of the players responsible for France's failure to make the cut for the World Cup finals in 1994.

10-Zinedine Zidane (Juventus) - Age: 28; Caps: 58; Goals: 15; Euro 2000 appearances: 4; Euro 2000 goals: 2.

The team's playmaker. Fits easily into any list of the best players of modern years, Zidane has been the catalyst in France's transition from bit players to world champions and his performance in the semi-final against Portugal suggested that, at 28, he is now only peaking.

12-Thierry Henry (Arsenal) - Age: 22; Caps: 19; Goals: 8; Euro 2000 appearances: 4; Euro 2000 goals: 3.

Almost certainly the most improved French player of the season. Back at the start of the qualifying campaign, he was just one of a cluster of forwards in contention for first-team status. Now his pace, accuracy and new-found self-belief make him indispensable.

9-Nicolas Anelka (Real Madrid) - Age: 21; Caps: 16; Goals: 4; Euro 2000 appearances: 5; Euro 2000 goals: 0.

Brought into the side against Portugal, Anelka may or may not have done enough to warrant preference over Christophe Dugarry tomorrow. His current form scarcely matches his £23 million valuation when he joined Real Madrid from Arsenal. His moods swings remain his Achilles' heel.