France needs something special against Spain

Furious French coach Laurent Blanc said his players would have to produce something out of the ordinary if they are to beat defending champion Spain in Saturday's Euro 2012 quarterfinal.

The 46-year-old - who took over from Raymond Domenech after the 2010 World Cup finals debacle - had at least guided the French to a place in the knockout stages of a major finals for the first time in six years, but only just.

Any mood of celebration was tempered by the manner in which France got there as it was outclassed in a 2-0 defeat by Sweden, which was already out of contention for a place in the last eight.