Franck's on fire but France flop in bore draw with Romania

World-class players who are suddenly a world away from conquering the cream of European football after their failure to overcome Romania, a result they may yet regret.

Banel Nicolita of Romania is brought down by Eric Abidal of France

France reached the World Cup Final two years ago, recovering from draws against Switzerland and South Korea in their opening two group games to beat a path to a penalty shoot-out against Italy in Berlin.

Fabio Grosso shattered their dreams of lifting the World Cup for the second time when he struck the winning penalty for Italy, and this team still appeared to be suffering from the after-shock in the relative obscurity of the 31,000-capacity Letzigrund yesterday.

One shot on target was all they mustered amid 90 minutes of resistance from Romania. If Raymond Domenech's side are to slog their way through the next 19 days and reach the Euro 2008 Final, they will have to do it the hard way.

They have made life difficult for themselves, so much so that UEFA president Michel Platini switched off in the second half and switched on his mobile phone. Domenech could have done worse than make the call for the maestro to come down from his seat in the stands.

Romania were supposed to provide the banker win for this France team, three points that would kickstart their tournament and exert pressure on Holland and Italy. Now France cannot afford to lose to Marco van Basten's side in two days.

In where it hurts: France's Nicolas Anelka and Romania's Cosmin Contra battle it out at Euro 2008

Domenech said: 'Two years ago, we started the group with two draws and we still got through, but we played with a bit of fear against Romania.

"That is understandable given that it was the first match in the group, but there is a lot more we can do in terms of our attacking play."

They could do a lot worse than feed Franck Ribery. Easily the best player on the pitch, the Bayern Munich midfielder was full of invention. Little wonder that Chelsea are prepared to break the British record transfer fee to sign a refined version of Joe Cole and stick him out on the right at Stamford Bridge.

It was a shame that his team-mates were not in tune with his dancing feet because Germany's player of the year (and France's the year before that) is an electrifying talent.

With a player of this quality in the team anything can happen. Karim Benzema, a Manchester United target, looked leggy, lethargic and anything but a £25million striker when he wasted France's best chance, rolling Ribery's pass into the arms of Romania goalkeeper Bogdon Lobont after 57 minutes.

Others were also off their game. Nicolas Anelka selfishly sent efforts wide when teammates were in better positions. Ditto Florent Malouda.

Push and shove: Romanian Cosmin Contra vies with French Florent Malouda

Perhaps they missed Thierry Henry, the cause of whose absence was officially 'sciatica' and unofficially 'sulking'. Arsenal supporters have seen this played out before, damaging his reputation at the Emirates with a weekly 'will he, won't he play?' saga before matches.

The same applies to his role with the France team. He was heckled, unjustly, by France supporters when he earned his 100th cap against Colombia last week.

A great player with a great big ego, he has barely trained since.

Domenech said: "Henry's a lot better. It was a bit too soon for him for this game, but he should be able to rejoin the rest of the squad now."

They will need him. Anelka, short of match practice after Avram Grant's lamentable decision to leave him on the bench at Chelsea, and strike partner Benzema failed to make an impact.

Despite his injury record, Henry still has the capacity to change games. He has scored crucial goals for France, netting the winner against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup and the equaliser against Portugal in the semi-final of Euro 2000.

No doubt he will be back to face Holland, but Romania coach Victor Piturca has doubts about their desire.

"I wanted to secure all three points because France are no longer at the level they used to perform at," he said. "Maybe France are bored with playing at the highest level." Maybe. Or maybe they just believe their own hype.

ROMANIA (4-3-3): Lobont; Contra, Tamas, Goian, Rat; Cocis (Codrea 64), Radoi (Dica 90), Chivu; Nicolita, D Niculae, Mutu (M Niculae 78). Booked: D Niculae, Contra, Goian.

FRANCE (4-4-2): Coupet; Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal; Ribery, Toulalan, Makelele, Malouda; Anelka (Gomis 72), Benzema (Nasri 78). Booked: Sagnol. Man of the match: Franck Ribery. Referee: Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez (Sp).