Eric Cantona has endorsed Brighton as the home of beach football in Britain.

Cantona was in the city on Sunday and yesterday leading his French side in two friendlies against European champions Portugal.

The former Manchester United favourite showed off his repertoire of skills and illustrated he had lost none of his aggression by picking up a two-minute suspension for an infringement.

While the Portuguese and the French entertained the crowd with their superior beach football skills, England, Germany, Switzerland and Norway battled it out for the Kronenbourg Cup which is the first leg of the European Pro-Beach Soccer League.

More than 8,000 fans turned out over the three days to see the games before the Swiss side lifted the trophy following a clean sweep over their European rivals.

England lost their final match 3-2 to Germany and finished third in the competition behind the Germans and the Swiss.

Neil Pointon said: "We did okay in the first game and then got a bit tired. We haven't been able to train regularly so we are looking forward to trying to regroup and getting some younger players involved."

England and their northern European rivals were distinctly lacking in flair compared to the likes of Cantona and his compatriots.

However, Cantona insists the sport will become more popular and standards should improve.

The 35-year-old, who retired from the game in 1997, has been involved with the French national side since 1996 and he is their player-coach.

Cantona said: "I like Brighton, it is a lively city. If we are going to play beach soccer in this country then it makes sense to play it on the beach.

"It is nice, the tournament is well organised and I think it would be a good idea to make Brighton the home of beach soccer here.

"Beach soccer is fun, it is also getting more popular. In France we train every week even in the winter and we will improve.

"Everyone must get more young players involved because they are the future and only then will the standard get better. This game will be famous."

The first priority of the England side coached by ex-Everton defender Neil Pointon will be to sign some skillful players.

With the exception of former Southampton star Matt Le Tissier and John Scales, no-one in the team had enough talent to make an impact on the uneven pitch which requires excellent ball control and juggling ability.

Too many of the England team come from the ranks of non-league football and, rather like their contemporaries in Sven Goran Eriksson's team, they looked unsure of themselves on the big stage.