Romania vs France

The first draw of the UEFA Euro 2008, saw France, from the group of death, get into huge trouble. Drawn with Italy, Netherlands and Romania, Les Blues had to win the first group game against Victor Piţurcă`s men as the next 2 would only get harder for them. 

The French were without former Arsenal duo Patrick Vieira, who has been injured since the end of the Serie A season where he plays for Inter Milan, and Thierry Henry. The Barcelona striker sustaned a back injury a few days ago and was left out from the side. Lilian Thuram, who is the country`s most capped player, was given the Captain`s arm band for this one. 

The Euro 2000 winners started the game brighter when Karim Benzema`s shot from distance curved over the bar. 

The best chance of a dull first half came when a Frank Ribery`s cross bounced before it reached Nicolas Anelka. But the Chelsea man couldn`t control his header and the ball went over the bar.

The former Bolton Wanders forward has a chance to help his team score a few minutes later when he got the ball on the right hand side, but instead of feeding it to a team mate in the box, he went for it himself from an almost impossible angle and hit the side netting. 

Last year`s world cup runner up hit the target for the first time when Ribery did wonderfully near the right post before feeding it into Benzema whos shot was saved by Bogdan Lobont

Raymond Domenech`s team looked nervous in the opening 45 and almost conceded when his defense scrambled Rat`s cross back for a conner. 

Goal less after a very boring first 45, both teams still with a great chance of taking all 3 points from this one, but both teams would have to push forward if they want that. 

Florent Malouda went past 3 Romanian`s in the area but chose to go for goal and shot over instead of playing a square ball into Anelka`s path. 

There were not many chances in a very closed game, and Ribery`s ball to Benzema on the edge of the area was one of them. But the Lyon man shot straight and into the keeper`s hands to miss another chance for his side.

The last real chance of the match fell to the 19 year old once again. His right footed shot went across the face of the goal and wide of the far post.

This led to the first draw in the tournament, and many would agree for it to be probably the most boring match of the championship so far. Could be hard for both teams to make it out of the group now, as they have to play world champions Italy and European giants Netherlands in their other two group games. Both teams will have to improve on their finishing to play any further part in the tournament.