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David Beckham
LISBON, Portugal (AP) - England captain David Beckham said his team's respect for France would go "out the window" when the two play their opening European Championship match in Lisbon on Sunday.
The teams know each other well as most of the French team plays with or against English players.
"Every one of our players respects every one of their players and their team as a whole. But once we cross that white line most of the respect will be out the window and we will be fighting to win the game," Beckham told a news conference Friday.
Beckham believes England has to produce a match in the vein of its 5-1 beating of Germany at Munich in World Cup qualifying and the 1-0 victory over Argentina at the finals in Japan if it is to beat the defending European champion.
"That's the level we have to perform to, especially against the team we are playing," Beckham said. "We need a standard that's very, very high."
Beckham said he expected to make a big impact on the tournament.
"But we're not a one or two-man team, just like France aren't - they've got more than Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry," Beckham said.
"It's not all about me. I've got to lead as a captain and I'll try my best as always - but so will all the players."
Beckham said England was aiming for a win before going on to play Switzerland and Croatia in further Group B matches.
"I think it's important we don't lose but it's a massive challenge for the team," he said.
"Whichever team performs will win the game - but we're definitely going for the win.
"In the World Cup things worked perfectly for us in the Argentina game - and hopefully the same will happen again."
The teams know each other well as most of the French team plays with or against English players.
"Every one of our players respects every one of their players and their team as a whole. But once we cross that white line most of the respect will be out the window and we will be fighting to win the game," Beckham told a news conference Friday.
Beckham believes England has to produce a match in the vein of its 5-1 beating of Germany at Munich in World Cup qualifying and the 1-0 victory over Argentina at the finals in Japan if it is to beat the defending European champion.
"That's the level we have to perform to, especially against the team we are playing," Beckham said. "We need a standard that's very, very high."
Beckham said he expected to make a big impact on the tournament.
"But we're not a one or two-man team, just like France aren't - they've got more than Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry," Beckham said.
"It's not all about me. I've got to lead as a captain and I'll try my best as always - but so will all the players."
Beckham said England was aiming for a win before going on to play Switzerland and Croatia in further Group B matches.
"I think it's important we don't lose but it's a massive challenge for the team," he said.
"Whichever team performs will win the game - but we're definitely going for the win.
"In the World Cup things worked perfectly for us in the Argentina game - and hopefully the same will happen again."
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