France map out their season

France are the first Euro 200 finalists to announce their plans for warm up matches into the winter and beyond.

The World Cup winners from last year were able to plan well in advance even though they were unsure of qualification until a 71st minute David Trezeguet goal ensured a 3-2 home win over Iceland. With Ukraine earning a 1-1 draw in Russia that took Roger Lemerre's team to the top of Group Four and an automatic place in the finals next summer.

There has been some confusion since over Lemerre's future with the side amid press claims that he did not want to lead the French into the World Cup in 2002 but this new list of games should see Lemerre through to the Euro 2000 event as national team coach.

The friendlies get under way next month with a home game against Croatia in a repeat of the semi final from summer 1998. They play the Croats on November 13th before a gap of two months and a home game with Poland on February 23rd.

Scotland may win through to the finals themselves - they are in tomorrow's play-off draw with seven other countries - but host France on March 29th.

Lemerre should take his team to co-hosts Holland on April 26th before completing the rehearsals in Zagreb against Croatia on May 28th.