Zurich, June 9- France drew up a 0-0 with Romania in their first Euro 2008 game. The draw not only threatened the position of France in Group C, but also indicated that to stay in this championship the team has to put up a better and more confident performance in their next match.
The opening match for France in the Euro Cup 2008 championship was a tough battle, especially due to the absence of the most dependable players in the French team, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry. Vieira, midfielder and captain of the French team, and Henry, striker, are both suffering from injuries and hence, were unable to play. It was, perhaps, because of their absence that 2006 World Cup runners-up seemed nervous during the match.
Romania had put up a strong defense that France was unable to break. Yet, the French team did make some dangerous moves that threatened Romania’s position. The French players could have scored, twice. In the first nine minutes, Nicolas Anelka tried to score. But, he headed the ball over the bar. France lost its second chance to score in the seventeenth minute.
If the game was not going well for France, it wasn’t going well for Romania either. They got two free kick opportunities in the first 30 minutes. Moreover, the Romanians made some reckless moves that got them three yellow cards in the first half. But, they were determined to make it to the quarter-finals and so, kept up their endeavors.
France seemed to be in control when the second half began. It was tough for Romania to keep up their defenses as Molouda, Ribéry and Karim Benzema made impressive shots. But once again, France failed to score. Despite the fierce attacks made by the French players in the second half, Romania did not lose their calm. They continued, as they did in the first half, to give their rivals a tough time.
The Group C Euro 2008 game between France and Romania ended in a draw with both the teams fighting hard to strengthen their positions in the tournament. It is clear from this game that France has to gear up a lot for its forthcoming matches with Netherlands and 2006 World Cup champions Italy.
Final Score France-Romania Match, June 10, 2008
France 0-0 Romania
Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 3 (Romania)
Teams:
France: Gregory Coupet, Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal, Franck Ribery, Claude Makelele, Jeremy Toulalan, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka, Karim Benzema, Bafetimbi Gomis, Samir Nasri
Romania: Bogdan Lobont, Cosmin Contra, Gabriel Tamas, Dorin Goian,
Razvan Rat, Razvan Cocis, Mirel Radoi, Cristian Chivu, Banel Nicolita, Adrian Mutu, Daniel Niculae, Paul Codrea (for Cocis in 64th), Marius Niculae (for Mutu in 78th), Nicolae Dica (for Radoi in 90th), Daniel Niculae, Paul Codrea (for Cocis in 64th), Marius Niculae (for Mutu in 78th), Nicolae Dica (for Radoi in 90th)
