Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro believes his country have to stay humble if they are to emulate France by winning the European championships after lifting the World Cup.

"If we go to the European championships without too much euphoria, with humility and a desire to take advantage of our qualities, we are in the running," the Real Madrid defender told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The example [to follow] is that of France, who were good when winning the 1998 World Cup and lucky to double up at Euro 2000."

When Italy beat France in the final of the 2006 World Cup they avenged defeats they suffered to the French in the final of Euro 2000 and in the 1998 World Cup quarter-finals.

But Cannavaro said he was not satisfied with the payback.

"I'm one of the few survivors of the Euro 2000 tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands and it is still sore," said the former World Player of the Year.

Italy are in the same group as France at Euro 2008, along with the Netherlands and Romania.

Reuters