Matchwinner Franck Ribery believes France's display in the victory over England is a good omen ahead of this summer's European Championships.
Les Bleus bounced back from a winless run of three matches with a 1-0 success at the Stade de France on Wednesday, Ribery scoring the game's only goal from the penalty spot in the 31st minute.
The French have been drawn in the 'Group of Death' at the Euros, where they will take on Romania, Holland and Italy in the pool stages.
And Ribery feels beating England, who are still seen as one of Europe's heavyweights even though they will not be in Austria or Switzerland this summer, will do a lot for the squad's confidence.
"This is the type of match we are going to experience during Euro 2008," said the Bayern Munich winger, who was man of the match against England.
"We showed we know how to respond to these types of games. And now I hope we will do the same when the real thing comes around.
"It was important to play well against a team like England. It isn't easy against a side like that - they are so strong.
"But we took it very seriously throughout. It is a good omen for the future and the group is going to take confidence from this. It will reassure everyone."
Ribery stole the limelight from opposite number David Beckham, who earned his 100th cap for England in the Paris encounter.
The difference between the two right midfielders was evident.
Ribery attacked England's defence at every possible moment, causing problems out wide and through the middle with his pace and trickery.
Beckham, industrious as ever, spent a lot of his time in the right-back area, behind full-back Wes Brown, and only rarely threatened France further upfield with his renowned crossing ability.
In Ribery, who is enjoying a stellar first season with Bayern Munich, France have a player who could light up Euro 2008, especially if coach Raymond Domenech allows him the freedom to move inside off his wing.
"The coach made me start on the right (against England)," the 24-year-old added.
"But afterwards, I had a free position, like I have already had in the French team.
"It is a position where I feel better because I receive more of the ball. And I can accelerate away quicker, just as I am used to doing now at Bayern Munich.
"And I am happy because things went really well up front with Nicolas Anelka and David Trezeguet. We tried to link up and create things with our movement."
Anelka rivalled Ribery in the man-of-the-match stakes.
The Chelsea striker delighted the crowd with his flicks and close control, but also looked France's most dangerous attacker and had two chances to open the scoring in the first 15 minutes.
It was Anelka who earned Les Bleus their penalty when he got to Francois Clerc's exquisite through-ball ahead of goalkeeper David James, who bundled over the former Real Madrid star in spectacular fashion.
Anelka is guaranteed a spot in Domenech's squad this summer but the same cannot be said of Trezeguet, who failed to impress in his comeback game for his country after seven months in the wilderness.
Anelka defended his strike-partner, the joint top scorer in Serie A this season, by saying: "It was difficult. We scored but the English did not leave us alone.
"There weren't too many centres for him. He is a player who works on the floor and he moved around a lot but there was not too much ball for him.
"But if there is a ball there for him, he will score. We mustn't forget who Trezeguet is and what he knows how to do."
