CLAIREFONTAINE. France. July 7 (AFP/Internet): France coach Aime Jacquet has warned fans not to expect a classic when they tackle Croatia in Wednesday night's semifinal at the Stade de France.

"Croatia are technically very strong. They are hard to break down and dangerous in counterattacking. Don't expect an exciting game." he told AFP.

"we re going to have to break down an eight-man defence. It's going to be tough and a severe test of our resilience." he added.

We are going to have to take the game to them. They will try to hit us on the break and we will have to beware of (Robert) Jarni and (Mario) Stanlc who are quick to Join in counter-attacks." he added.

"It will be tight and perhaps not very pretty but we will Just have to toil away, waiting for the openings. But we are geed up and feeling very positive."

He felt the French strikers, who have failed to score in their two second-phase matches since chalking up nine goals in their first three games, had rid themselves of their apprehen-siveness.

They have been too hesitant. too indecisive since we got past the first round but we have talked about this, tried things out in training.