Any game in which the world champions are involved, they should always receive top billing. When, as is the case with France, they are an improved and improving team from the one that won the World Cup, the emphasis on the champions should be all the greater. Tonight in Bruges, though, of equal interest to the neutral will be the performance and the fate of the Czech Republic.
The finalists of Euro '96 also look a better side than the one then, even if they did beat Portugal in the quarter-final and then, on penalties, France in the semi-final. Not only did the Czechs win all 10 of their qualifiers, when they went into the intimidating Amsterdam Arena on Sunday night to meet the co-hosts and favourites Holland, they were inches away from causing the tournament's biggest upset.
The Czechs need a point at least tonight and maybe three if Holland beat Denmark. The possible absence of the Pavel Nedved is a major worry therefore.
For the French the incentive is a near-guaranteed place in the quarter-finals. Moreover, a France win and a Holland win would mean both are through and they could relax a little when the two meet next Wednesday. France should retain the same team that glided past Denmark on Sunday.
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