A clutch of teenage Dutch players escaped the imposing Huis Ter Duin hotel yesterday to stroll along the seashore, mixing unnoticed with the locals. The French would have enjoyed similar anonymity had they ventured out in Rotterdam but, for all that the personnel may be unrecognisable, these teams remain contenders for Euro 2004.
Such has been the number of withdrawals ahead of this evening's game that it has effectively become a trial match for those hoping to mount a late case for inclusion at Euro 2004.
"There may be an unfamiliar look to the sides but the quality of both teams is still clear," said the Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. "The hopefuls can prove themselves in games like this."
The class which permeates through each side merely confirms that these are teams which will travel to Portugal expecting, rather than hoping, to triumph. The Dutch will arrive after their customarily dicey qualification campaign aiming to make amends for missing the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. The French, as European champions, will defend their title all too aware that their miserable showing in the Far East two years ago must be exorcised.
It is the visiting coach Jacques Santini who will have licence to experiment more tonight. Shorn of Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane and Robert Pires - an imposing trio who boast 220 caps between them - for the first time since a 3-0 victory over Yugoslavia in November 2002, this will be a test of the creative resources at his disposal. Werder Bremen's Johan Micoud and the twice-capped Liverpool midfielder Bruno Cheyrou step into the breach and Fulham's Steed Malbranque is included for the first time.
Those three will be looking to contribute to a 15th successive victory which would edge France beyond Brazil (June-December 1997) and Australia (October 1996 to November 1997) and establish a record-winning streak stretching back 14 months. Yet, while all that suggests strength in depth, concerns remain for the champions of 2000.
France are due to play only one more friendly before Portugal, a prestige match against Brazil on May 20th, and that only two days before the FA Cup final and - the Premiership aside - three before the culmination of Europe's major domestic championships. The sick notes are presumably ready and waiting, meaning that the next time Santini can unleash Zidane alongside Thierry Henry will be against England in their opening Euro 2004 fixture in Lisbon on June 13th.
That is hardly ideal. "You have to trust the clubs, even if it makes life hard for games like this," said Santini. "It's a fact of life these days. I must say the squad seems tired, which isn't surprising given the number of games these boys play. But this is about preparation. The record isn't important; what is is that we continue to develop ahead of the European championship."
The coach could be forgiven for being distracted given that his contract expires on July 1st, with the French Football Federation - stung after offering Roger Lemerre a new deal prior to the 2002 World Cup only to see the side stumble miserably - as yet unwilling to offer another. Should France progress all the way to the final in Portugal on July 4th, Santini will effectively be working for free.
Advocaat may opt to return to club management after the tournament as well, though by then he will have played his part in shaping Holland's future. For all that the Dutch often disappoint on the big stage, theirs is a conveyer-belt of mouth-watering talent.
The likes of Rafael van der Vaart (20), Wesley Sneijder (19), John Heitinga (20), Nigel de Jong (19) and Arjen Robben (20) have been blooded by the former Rangers manager, with only the last absent here. Without Jaap Stam, Frank de Boer, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf and possibly Wilfred Bouma, this will be an opportunity for the youngsters to prove their quality.
It is also a chance for two of the squad's most experienced players to show they can thrive together. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay have rarely featured alongside each other, with Advocaat keen to view the partnership. "They are two of the most potent strikers in the world but, given the formation we've played for a while and the fact that we've usually got Patrick (Kluivert), they haven't had an opportunity to play with each other," he said. "It's something I'm keen to try out."
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
HOLLAND (4-3-1-2): Van der Saar; Melchiot, Heitinga, Cocu, Zenden; Van Bommel, Sneijder, Davids; Van der Vaart; Van Nistelrooy, Makaay.
FRANCE (4-2-3-1): Barthez; Sagnol, Thuram, Desailly, Lizarazu; Dacourt, Makelele; Giuly, Micoud, Henry; Trezeguet.
Referee: W Stark (Germany).
