HAMELN, Germany _ Rather than stopping its quick forwards, the key to beating Spain is denying its skillful midfielders time and space.

That's the opinion of France right-back Willy Sagnol, who'll likely line up against the Spanish in Tuesday's second-round match.

France's players spent Sunday evening studying videos of Spain's first-round performances, and Sagnol says the midfield trio of Marcos Senna, Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez is more dangerous than its much-vaunted front line.

"They control the ball well with three hardworking midfielders who are excellent technicians," Sagnol said Monday. "We will need to close them down and limit the amount of room they have."

France has the oldest team in the tournament and Sagnol says the best way of preventing Spain's youngsters from exploiting that is to break their rhythm.

"We have to stop their short passing game in midfield, otherwise this can cause us a lot of problems," Sagnol said. "They are players who are at ease technically. We don't want to run around too much. If you leave them the ball, you'll be running around for nothing.

"Age won't be a factor ... but experience might be," said Sagnol, who is likely to win his 42nd cap. "It's better to have a team crammed full of experience rather than the other way round."

Spain has scored eight goals in three games _ five more than France managed in sluggish performances against Switzerland, South Korea and Togo.

"What surprised me most about Spain is how the young and the old have blended well together so quickly," Sagnol said.

In attack are 22-year-old Fernando Torres and 24-year-old David Villa, backed up by Raul Gonzalez, Spain's all-time top scorer with 44 goals.

"Torres is dangerous because he is very quick, Villa is a strong player who reads the game well, and Raul is opportunist," Sagnol said. "All three have different qualities and we will need to watch them."

France's tight defense has leaked only two goals in the past five matches, and 11 in 24 overall under coach Raymond Domenech.

Domenech has only lost one game, and France has suffered just three defeats since its first-round exit at the 2002 World Cup _ in friendly games against the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and to Greece at the 2004 European Championship.

"We are a solid group, and our understanding has improved game by game," said Sagnol.