AS if taking on the assembled might of France wasn't enough, England will also be tackling the history books when they open their Euro 2004 campaign at Lisbon's Stadium of Light tomorrow.

This is the seventh time England have made it to the final stages of the European Championships and, on each previous occasion, they have failed to win their opening game.

That record stands in stark contrast to the nation's record in the World Cup where, in 11 finals appearances, they have opened up with a win four times and only tasted defeat in their opening game twice.

The history books will tell you that winning your first match is no guarantee of success.

Argentina made it to 1990 World Cup final despite kicking off the tournament with a shock defeat to Cameroon but, for England, the opening game of a major competition has generally provided a fairly reliable indicator of how they will fare.

And, in the European Championships, that has almost always been badly.

The tournament operated with a different format back in 1968 so that England's first game of the finals tournament in Italy was actually a semi-final against Yugoslavia which they lost 1-0.

By 1980, the European Championships had evolved into the tournament we recognise today and England travelled back to Italy in confident mood after topping their qualifying group.

That optimism began to dissipate after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Belgium, and a subsequent 1-0 defeat to the hosts meant a 2-1 win over Spain was rendered irrelevant.

After missing out in 1984, England travelled to Germany four years later with the nucleus of the team that would go on to reach the last four of the World Cup in 1990.

An opening game with the Republic of Ireland looked like the perfect way to ease into the competition, but Ray Houghton's winner sent England into a decline from which they never recovered. Subsequent defeats to Holland and the USSR merely rubbed salt into the wound.

Things were no better in Sweden four years later, with a sub-standard England squad limping to a goalless draw with Denmark in their opener.

Another 0-0 draw with France spelt trouble, and a decisive 2-1 defeat to the hosts will be remembered for Graham Taylor's illogical replacement of Gary Lineker with the ineffectual Alan Smith.

Four years on and football was coming home. Or at least it was until Alan Shearer's goal could only earn a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

Terry Venables' side improved after that of course, but they were ultimately found wanting from the penalty spot in the last four.

Most recently, an elusive opening win looked certain when England raced into a two-goal lead against Portugal four years ago.

But Luis Figo's 30-yard bullet got the butterflies going and, ultimately, Kevin Keegan's side tumbled to what was undoubtedly a devastating 3-2 defeat.

A win over Germany brightened the mood, but Romania's last-minute penalty sent England crashing out at the group stage again.

All of that counts for little tomorrow evening of course, but England's past record means their result against France could well set the tone for the rest of the competition.

The omens are not good, but Sven-Goran Eriksson's side need only cast their mind back to 1982 for more positive inspiration.

Then, England played France in the opening game of the World Cup and ran out deserved 3-1 winners.

A similar result in Lisbon tomorrow could herald the end of England's love-hate relationship with the European finals.