A swift glance at the history
books, should you need to, tells
you everything about this
contest. Spain or France have
won five of the last eight
international tournaments they
have qualified for; a booty of two
World Cups and three European
Championships in 14 years.
There has been alot of talk over
whether the current Spain side -
the only in history to win three
major international tournaments
in succession - are superior to
the legendary France outfit from
the turn of the millennium, who
followed up World Cup success
on home soil in 1998 with
European Championship glory
two years later.

FRANCE 1998-2000
VS
SPAIN 2006-2013
FABIEN BARTHEZ
IKER CASILLAS
(BARTHEZ): Sometimes erratic, but a fine shot-stopper and match-winner. Best goalkeeper at World Cup ’98.
(CASILLAS): Record caps holder and record number of clean sheets. Sharp reflexes and a unifying squad member.
LILIAN THURAM vs
SERGIO RAMOS
(THURAM): One of his generation's best defenders. Fast, strong, a flawless tackler and great in the air.
(RAMOS): Excelling in a central role but made his mark in the Spain team as an aggressive, marauding right-back.
MARCEL DESAILLY vs
GERARD PIQUE
(DESAILLY): Rock solid at the heart of the France defence. Powerful, competitive, lightning-quick and a beast in the air.
(PIQUE): Had to wait his turn for Marchena to retire but has transmitted his Barca form to the national team.
LAURENT BLANC vs
CARLES PUYOL
(BLANC): Read the game like he possessed a crystal ball. Oozed elegance, and started attacks from the back.
(PUYOL): Inspirational, commanding centre-back who popped up with a vital semi-final goal in 2010.

BIXENTE LIZARAZU vs
JORDI ALBA
(LIZARAZU): One of the first modern full-backs, bombing up and down the left flank from the first whistle until the last.

(ALBA): An upgrade on Joan Capdevila and provides lightning support in attack. Has slotted in seamlessly.

DIDIER DESCHAMPS vs
MARCOS SENNA
(DESCHAMPS): Tactically and positionally a perfect midfielder. A born leader as captain, who protected his defence.
(SENNA): Naturalised Spaniard who was Aragones' reference point in centre midfield. Made Spain tick at Euro 2008.
PATRICK VIEIRA vs
XABI ALONSO
(VIEIRA): The legs of France’s midfield, who despite his physical dominance also possessed exceptional technique. Deprived the great Makelele of a team playing team.
(ALONSO): Capable of long or short passes and blessed with great vision. One of Spain's longest-serving midfielders.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE vs
XAVI
(ZIDANE): The best player of his generation, a creative genius who always raised his game for the big occasion.
(XAVI): A serial winner with club and country, the Barca midfielder is possibly the best central midfielder ever.

ROBERT PIRES vs
ANDRES INIESTA
(PIRES): Equally comfortable on the wing and as an attacking midfielder. A dribbler who made and scored goals.
(INIESTA): Performs when it really matters. Scored the winner at World Cup 2010 and was Euro 2012's best player.

YOURI DJORKAEFF vs
CESC FABREGAS
(DJORKAEFF):Often played as a support striker, but impressive in a midfield role too. Supplied and scored goals.
(FABREGAS): Not always a starter for his country but decisive on the big stage when required. Versatile and effective.

THIERRY HENRY vs DAVID VILLA
(HENRY): Faster than almost every defender during his peak, with the skill and finishing to go with his blistering pace.
(VILLA): Scorer of five of Spain's eight goals at World Cup 2010 and four at Euro 2008. He was missed at Euro 2012.
So what do you think?

MOD, frontpage pls. Let's have the opinions of ardent football lovers and followers.
PS: Pls if you were born in the 90s or you started following football after 1999 dont bother commenting. You WONT have enough info to march up. You CANT be objective.