Regarded as coming from the more talented side of the Mpenza gene pool - his brother also features in the Belgium squad - Emile will be one to watch for his blistering pace alone.

The Schalke 04 striker became the second youngest player to play for Belgium when he made his national-team debut against Northern Ireland in 1997.

While still a teenager, he made two substitute appearances with Belgium at the 1998 World Cup.

England fans got their first glimpse of the youngsters pace when he worried the home defence in a narrow defeat for the Belgians at The Stadium of Light last year.

Indeed Belgium's hopes for a victory on home soil will centre on the 22-year-old former Standard Liege forward linking fruitfully with Derby's Branko Strupar, Sheffield Wednesday's Gilles de Bilde and Aston Villa's future star Luc Nilis.

Anyone looking for confirmation of Mpenza's skill need only go back as far as the recent warm up game against fellow hosts Holland, where he scored an accomplished goal and caused havoc alongside Strupar.

Mpenza though, like so many whippets before him, has a tendency to look irresistiblly world class with the ball in front of him and embarassingly devoid of any skill when played behind him.

He does have a great line in world class finishing and is not afraid to take a leaf out of the Gary Lineker school of finishing if needs must.

Unfortunately Mpenza may find his chances to shine in this year's competition directly linked with the chances of his side making it to the final stages - strictly limited.

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Pace: Smokin'!
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