The double is definitely on for France and I will be delighted to see Laurent Blanc collect a European champions' medal in Rotterdam tonight.

No reigning World champions have gone on to win the European crown but I'm backing Roger Lemerre's men to create history by defeating Dino Zoff's well-organised Italy.

It will be an intriguing final, with the Italians happy to maintain their cautious, counter-attacking approach. But if France score first, it could also be the spectacular finale a thrilling tournament deserves.

I cite France defender Blanc for special mention not just because today's showpiece will be his international farewell after a wonderful career, but with vivid memories of how he missed the World Cup final in Paris two years ago.

You may recall Blanc was harshly sent off in the semi-final against Croatia and was suspended for France's emotional triumph on home soil. Laurent has had to live with that injustice, so today's showpiece should be particularly sweet for him.

I also recall the young Blanc breaking into the Montpellier team when I was playing in the French League for Monaco. Believe it or not, in those days Laurent was a deep-lying striker and he topped the 20-goal mark in one campaign.

Since then his career has gone backwards - positionally, that is. He's 34 and heading for international retirement but he is a vital component in the World champions' line-up.

He sets the standard for passing from the back. In fact, in the wake of England's disappointments at Euro 2000, we can learn from watching Blanc deliver passes from the back. He doesn't just whack it 60 yards downfield.

It's the way Blanc picks out Didier Deschamps and Patrick Vieira that allows the midfielders to supply controlled possession into Zinedine Zidane and Youri Djorkaeff.

Zidane would not look half the player he is if his centre-backs whacked the ball downfield with hit-and-hope tactics.

If England want to see the best of Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Michael Owen in the future, we will have to pass the ball better. I know that coach Kevin Keegan accepts this point. We must work on it throughout the English game.

If we want to exploit to Scholes's talent for timing those defence-splitting runs into the penalty area, we have to create the opportunity with good passing. Italy possess two terrific defenders in Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta.

Nesta made one of his early international appearances when England defeated Italy 2-0 in Le Tournoi three years ago. You could see then that he was a beginner at the highest level but he has never stopped learning.

Cannavaro is one of the best defenders in the world. He's disciplined and tenacious. This duo don't make my team of the tournament, though, because they're not as good on the ball as the trio of defenders I've nominated - including Italy's skipper, Paolo Maldini.

I sense that Zoff has based his blueprint for this tournament on the 1982 team that won the World Cup with Zoff in goal. They were very defensive and were critically slaughtered after drawing their opening three group games.

But Paolo Rossi discovered a peerless goal-scoring touch, while the likes of Gentile and Tardelli did what came naturally to them - they stopped opponents from playing.

The current Italy team is based on a similar mould. If they score first, I'm not sure we'll get the exciting final we're all hoping will crown a memorable summer.

But it will be intriguing and I believe France have the creativity and fire-power to break down even the supremely disciplined Italian defence.

You have to make sure your tactical approach is absolutely spot-on against the Italians. I know this from my own international days when England had to go to Rome to get the result that took us to the 1998 World Cup finals.

Coach Lemerre will insist that France control possession and get their key men on the ball. He'll know that you can't break the Italians down by playing through the eye of a needle.

You won't play one-two's past their two defensive midfielders or around their centre-backs. France may have to go wide to create their openings but such are the resources at Lemerre's disposal he has a variety of ways to test Zoff's planning.

I'm convinced Lemerre will not be undermined at the critical hour by caution. He'll stick to his offensive principles. The natural instinct of this great French team is to attack.

The coach will be secure in the belief that Zidane, Thierry Henry and Djorkaeff have the cutting edge to open up any team. The way Nuno Gomes capitalised on some slack marking in the France defence to score for Portugal should be a reminder to the French boys.

At their best, the likes of Deschamps and Vieira should provide the defensive screen in front of their defence to ensure the world champions don't get caught on the break by the Italians, who revel in their natural counter-attacking style.

There is still a cynical side to Italian football, though. We saw that with the totally justified dismissal of Gianluca Zambrotta in the semi-final win over Holland. They were lucky to see only one red card. If they concede a goal or events turn against them, there's still a danger that the Italians can lose their heads.

Given the disciplinary clampdown that has played a major part in making Euro 2000 so enjoyable, the Italians will have to be careful in the final.

Outside the disappointment of England's early exit, Euro 2000 will go down as one of the great football tournaments. France are a better collective side now than when they won the World Cup.

In Zinedine Zidane they possess the best footballer in the world. I love watching 'Zizou' play. He is a supreme artist. Sometimes the truly gifted players are criticised because they fail on the big occasion to produce an epic performance.

But Zidane showed with his goal-scoring exploits in the World Cup final that he can star on the biggest stage.

Italy will be tough to crack but France can do it. And I can see Zidane starring today and making sure Blanc deservedly leaves the international scene as a champion.

Master tactician Lemerre

Henry (France): Electrifying speed and high work-rate make him most improved player at Euro 2000.