But they had class players like Thuram, Henry, Zidane, Viera, Barthez...need I go on? I have always believed that, when it comes to sportsmen, "form is transitory, class is permanent".

As for the England Rugby team, actually I base my pessimism more on the fact that they have hardly won ANY matches since winning that final!

Coming back to that France v Brazil match, France was the only team capable of beating Brazil in the World Cup and when it mattered, les Bleus got their act together and played breathtaking football that left even the Brazilians outplayed. Actually I remember that match so well. The French created enough opportunities to win about 8-0 but kept failing to actually put the ball in the net. In the end it was embarrassing to watch - they were SO MUCH better in that match than Brazil. Zidane was literally toying with the Brazilians.